Dave's 1650 Project

[CC1650Dave]

I'm kind of stuck on this project at the moment. I need to get the K341 into the new machine shop on Monday. I'd like to be able to turn the 1450 into a quick-turnaround runner, but if the K321 needs to be rebuilt, it kind of messes up my plans.

I'm currently shopping vigorously for an air compressor so I can get ready for painting. And I have to make a trip down to my hometown to do some welding / torch work with my nephew's equipment. Going to do the engine rail mod, bend that solid steel bar under the footrest back down, and if I can get it ready, start fabricating my new front grille - something I haven't mentioned yet, but you guys will see it when / if I can pull it off...

[CC1650Dave]

I picked up an air compressor this evening. It's a Craftsman 26 gallon vertical unit, with a 1.6 hp motor. When I went to get it, I was thinking it was the 4.5 hp model that had something like 8 cfm @ 40 psi. When I got there I realized it was only 1.6 hp and 6.3 cfm @ 40 psi.

It was only $100 in like new condition, the guy only used it for general tire inflation and all. So I picked it up anyway.

One of the things I've read about the unit is that it came with 1/4" ID hose which most consider useless. I'm wondering if I go with bigger hose if I'll get higher CFM numbers? I'm currently googling to try and figure that out.

Here's a stock photo of the unit. I didn't get the air tools with it, but I have all I need.

[westofb]

1/4" hose is standard size hose, no need to get bigger hose. That is the size they use in auto mechanic and paint and body shops. If you get you a hvlp paint gun to paint your tractor, that compressor should even be more than adequate for that. Now if you were going to paint something larger like a complete redo of a car or truck, it would probably be a bad choice. I have several paint guns, and for my tractor, I have been using what they call a touch up gun.... it looks like a regular hvlp gun, just minaturized, maybe holds 6-8 ounces of paint. It works great on these tractors, gets in tight spots (inside frame rails) and even with the small cup, holds enough paint to completely lay on a coat on any one item.

[TheSaturnV]

Ditto and the original hose size is fine.

I shot my Sears GT with a little 20 gallon unit and it did just fine. HVLP guns are really great for home hobby paint shooters since you can work wonders with even the most basic of shop/garage set ups.

[CC1650Dave]

I looked at the detail-size gun when I bought mine, now I'm wondering if I shouldn't go get it. Can you shoot, say, a whole frame with one fill of the detail gun Jeff?

They require about half the CFM as well. My compressor is rated 6.3@40 and the HVLP gun I bought requires 6.0, but it also says 50-70 psi...

[CC1650Dave]

The K341 is in the new machine shop today. This guy said he'd have no problem getting it to ten over by honing. And we're going to take the crank down to ten under. And he's going to check out the valve guides.

So I can get my rebuild kit on order. I may have my engine back by the end of the week...

The only thing he said that threw me off was that he didn't need the new valves to do the seats. He could just use the old ones. I thought that seemed odd. But then, I'll still have to do the final seating with valve compound, right?

[_DX3_]

I used 40psi with the detail gun I used on my 128. I did the whole fender pan with one fill of the paint cup. You will be amazed at how far that paint will go.

[litlmikeyl]

Compressors are like most other things... figure out what you're really going to use it for and go from there. 1/2 ton gas pickup vs. a 1-ton, 6-tire crew cab diesel pickup kinda thing.

You'll be able to run nearly everything pneumatic with your compressor except a dual-action (DA) sander, some of the real high-dollar full size HVLP guns and a few sandblasting units. Most guys don't use any of these items anyways, so it's no big deal. I picked up a 3HP, 60 gal. IR vertical unit because I wish to paint cars & do a fair amount of bodywork on a regular basis. Again, buy what you will realistically use.

As far as the air hose size, think of it in the same way you think of intake & exhaust piping. The bigger the inner diameter of the hose, the more volume you will be able to move (read: higher CFM) and you will have a larger volumetric efficiency. My Dad & I each run 3/8" I.D. hose because we're using big CFM paint guns & body tools. He also runs a 3HP, 60 gal. machine.

A good rule of thumb I learned is 8-10 PSI AT THE GUN is a good starting point for pressure settings and adjust from there. This has worked on the Sata & Iwata guns my Dad has to the cheaper Harbor Freight guns he uses for primer. A trick is to put a small pressure gauge with a range of 0-25 PSI on a "T" with standard quick connects on each end. Plug the air hose into the "T" then plug the "T" into the gun inlet. While pulling the trigger on the gun, adjust the regulator on the compressor to until you get a 8-10 PSI reading at the gun. The regulator will read a higher, sometimes much higher, PSI level than the gauge at the gun.

Hopefully all goes well for you the first time 'round. Painting & bodywork is definitely a practice makes perfect activity. Don't be afraid to call up the store you got the paint from to get help as far as settings for the gun, mixing ratios, flash times, panel temp ranges, humidity constraints, etc. PPG (what we usually shoot) is also pretty good about posting spec sheets on their products online for those who wish to have a copy.

The more time you spend on preparation the better the result. Good luck Dave!!

[TheSaturnV]

The only issue I can foresee with shooting a Cub fender pan or hood with a detail gun would be the fan size. If you can get it to open up wide enough for a 6-inch or so spray, then it should go fine.

For a slick gloss, you'll be laying down overlapping passes of thinned paint. If the detail gun doesn't fan out enough, you'll end up with something similar to rattle can.

[CC1650Dave]

Good tips Mike, thanks! I may have a few questions when I get there, but this is good info.

I think I'll start with the 20 oz gun, and if I get the urge I'll buy one of the smaller detail guns.