Any Devilbiss StartingLine owners out there?

R

robking

Promoted Users
I've had the two gun set for many years now and have sprayed a few small projects with them.

I don't know if they've gradually gotten worse over time or I've gotten wiser, but the spray fan pattern is very annoying. At the recommended distance (6"-8"), the pattern is maybe 7" wide on a good day (don't have any paint mixed or I'd send a picture), and somewhat elliptical i.e. not cigar shaped at all.

Gun setup
  • SPI epoxy
  • 30 psi at the gun using RTI-MR1 regulator
  • air control all the way out
  • fan control all the way out
  • fluid control 2 1/2 turns out
  • 1.5 tip (1.3 tip is similar result if I recall correctly)
Air supply
  • IR 60 gal / 5 HP / two stage compressor
  • Arrow 15CFM desiccant/filter setup set at 120
  • 25 ft, 3/8" Flexzilla air hose
  • Milton high flow connectors
Just for grins, I let the compressor pump up to 155 psi, killed the power and sprayed the gun for 1 minute, tank went down to 130 psi. Did the math and it used just a little over 13 cubic feet which is what these air hogs are spec'd at. So I feel comfortable it's not starved for air.

Also bought a repair kit, tore one of them down, cleaned and back together. No real difference.

I'm a novice, and I'm pretty sure most guys on here could throw a HF purple in the driveway, back over it a few times and still make it look better than me at my best.

Would like to hear if other's see better results, and if so suggestions on how to get a better fan pattern. Or if I'm just being unrealistic.

FWIW, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an LPH400 from local jobber or Amazon (~ $525) if they are just crazy expensive.

As always, thanks for your help.
 
Since I don't own one, I can't speak for the Devilbiss Starting Line series, other than reviews I've read. I do own a Devilbiss FLG-5 Finish Line series. The FLG-5 sprays well and is well built. Replacement parts are plentiful.

Not to be a Debbie Downer but, the Starting Line series did not spray very well, and the gun wasn't built very well, however, at the point in time, Devilbiss saw a nitch in the spray gun market to introduce a low cost gun to the home hobbyist. It's a spray gun to get your feet wet with, then upgrade if you enjoy spray painting.

I believe SPI member Lizer owns a Starting Line gun. Maybe he'll see your post and respond with his thoughts.

Devilbiss FLG-5 next to the LPH-400, 2nd starting from the right
20231028_194608.jpg
 
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dhutton01 said:
I don’t think you will regret buying that Iwata LPH400. Day and night difference to the starting line gun I once had.

Don
Click to expand...
Thanks Don, I've read a ton of posts on here trying to decide and it really seems like the best bang for the buck. One thing that is a bit confusing is their model numbering. The one I've been looking at is this one:

Iwata - Lph400-144Lv Gun Only (5550)

which I believe to be the 1.4 tip with silver cap. JB Tools also listed a 1.3 with silver as well as 1.4 with orange. From all my reading the 1.4 silver sounds like the most versatile. The car I'm getting ready to paint will be Motocryl SS so no clear on the horizon.
 
MJM said:
Since I don't own one, I can't speak for the Devilbiss Starting Line series, other than reviews I've read. I do own a Devilbiss FLG-5 Finish Line series. The FLG-5 sprays well and is well built. Replacement parts are plentiful.

Not to be a Debbie Downer but, the Starting Line series did not spray very well, and the gun wasn't built very well, however, at the point in time, Devilbiss saw a nitch in the spray gun market to introduce a low cost gun to the home hobbyist. It's a spray gun to get your feet wet with, then upgrade if you enjoy spray painting.

I believe SPI member Lizer owns a Starting Line gun. Maybe he'll see your post and respond with his thoughts.

Devilbiss FLG-5 next to the LPH-400
View attachment 30108
Click to expand...

The FLG was the other gun that seems well liked and hit's my price point for sure.

I sprayed the front clip on this thing a few years ago with the SLG (Nason 2K and SS), and was very happy with how it turned out. In retrospect, since there are very few large flat areas on there it probably wasn't as noticeable and I would have wanted tighter fan anyway.

Funny I just noticed the paper in the background where I was testing the spray pattern back then. I think that masking paper is 15" wide, so about 7" wide fan is probably what I was getting then. Although that particular one looks like I held the trigger a little long. :)

1709590627417.png
 
robking said:
Thanks Don, I've read a ton of posts on here trying to decide and it really seems like the best bang for the buck. One thing that is a bit confusing is their model numbering. The one I've been looking at is this one:

Iwata - Lph400-144Lv Gun Only (5550)

which I believe to be the 1.4 tip with silver cap. JB Tools also listed a 1.3 with silver as well as 1.4 with orange. From all my reading the 1.4 silver sounds like the most versatile. The car I'm getting ready to paint will be Motocryl SS so no clear on the horizon.
Click to expand...
1.4 silver cap is the most versatile imo. Orange can be used with metallics. The number you listed is the silver 1.4 afaik.

No plastic seals to wear and fail on the Iwata. The machining is done to tight tolerances so no plastic seals needed. Those seals are a PITA imo…
 
The engine bay came out good, well done.

If your serious about getting an Iwata LPH400, I'll dig thru my files and see if I can find the eBay seller I purchased mine from. I purchased the LPH400 with a 1.4 silver cap, however, what I received was a "kit" that included 3M PPS-2 cup, liner, and spray gun adapter. Going from memory I paid around $450-$500

Here' s the kit as I received it.
20220504_172505.jpg
 
MJM said:
The engine bay came out good, well done.

If your serious about getting an Iwata LPH400, I'll dig thru my files and see if I can find the eBay seller I purchased mine from. I purchased the LPH400 with a 1.4 silver cap, however, what I received was a "kit" that included 3M PPS-2 cup, liner, and spray gun adapter. Going from memory I paid around $450-$500

Here' s the kit as I received it.
View attachment 30110
Click to expand...

Wow, that's a nice deal! I've got a boat load of 20oz/34oz DeKups so the Amazon deal without a cup was a good fit. My biggest fear was getting a knockoff but if you have a good ebay person that would be awesome.
 
I just asked my secretary ( insert wife ) to find the eBay seller for me. She'll get on it tomorrow, check back for the information.
 
robking said:
I've had the two gun set for many years now and have sprayed a few small projects with them.

I don't know if they've gradually gotten worse over time or I've gotten wiser, but the spray fan pattern is very annoying. At the recommended distance (6"-8"), the pattern is maybe 7" wide on a good day (don't have any paint mixed or I'd send a picture), and somewhat elliptical i.e. not cigar shaped at all.

Gun setup
  • SPI epoxy
  • 30 psi at the gun using RTI-MR1 regulator
  • air control all the way out
  • fan control all the way out
  • fluid control 2 1/2 turns out
  • 1.5 tip (1.3 tip is similar result if I recall correctly)
Air supply
  • IR 60 gal / 5 HP / two stage compressor
  • Arrow 15CFM desiccant/filter setup set at 120
  • 25 ft, 3/8" Flexzilla air hose
  • Milton high flow connectors
Just for grins, I let the compressor pump up to 155 psi, killed the power and sprayed the gun for 1 minute, tank went down to 130 psi. Did the math and it used just a little over 13 cubic feet which is what these air hogs are spec'd at. So I feel comfortable it's not starved for air.

Also bought a repair kit, tore one of them down, cleaned and back together. No real difference.

I'm a novice, and I'm pretty sure most guys on here could throw a HF purple in the driveway, back over it a few times and still make it look better than me at my best.

Would like to hear if other's see better results, and if so suggestions on how to get a better fan pattern. Or if I'm just being unrealistic.

FWIW, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an LPH400 from local jobber or Amazon (~ $525) if they are just crazy expensive.

As always, thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
You should be able to get a 10-11" pattern from one of these "HVLP" ones no problem. 7" fan is likely being starved for air or there is a restriction in the fluid nozzle or air cap. 13cfm out of the tank is not necessarily 13 CFM out the end of the gun. You can lose 15-30% in your piping with restrictive and frictional losses. LVLP would give a 7" fan at 8-9cfm. These only came with one air cap offering if I remember--#3? One of my co-workers drilled his one out and added another hole inboard on the air horns--worked a whole lot better for the larger tip/needle size and using a 1/2" hose on that gun. He cranks his gun pressure up to be outside of HVLP 10PSI max. out the air cap.
 
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i have one. it sprays ok, not fantastic but i can paint with it. it should have a bigger fan than 7" though. i run mine on the high side, at least 35 psi regulated at the gun. and i cut her back from wide open, maybe half on fluid. i really dont know, i adjust until it sprays the way i want.
i dont think they put out enough, but i did a lot years ago with conventional guns so ill always compare to that.
i didnt have much trouble setting it up for epoxy though, i just followed the advice here.
 
Treeslayer said:
i have one. it sprays ok, not fantastic but i can paint with it. it should have a bigger fan than 7" though. i run mine on the high side, at least 35 psi regulated at the gun. and i cut her back from wide open, maybe half on fluid. i really dont know, i adjust until it sprays the way i want.
i dont think they put out enough, but i did a lot years ago with conventional guns so ill always compare to that.
i didnt have much trouble setting it up for epoxy though, i just followed the advice here.
Click to expand...

I need to mix up a few ounces and try upping the pressure and/or fluid. I am always in a hurry to get something done so don't really take the time to just experiment and learn.

Looking forward to getting the iwata but would like to have the SLG for epoxy and primer if I can dial them in.
 
D.A.T. said:
You should be able to get a 10-11" pattern from one of these "HVLP" ones no problem. 7" fan is likely being starved for air or there is a restriction in the fluid nozzle or air cap. 13cfm out of the tank is not necessarily 13 CFM out the end of the gun. You can lose 15-30% in your piping with restrictive and frictional losses. LVLP would give a 7" fan at 8-9cfm. These only came with one air cap offering if I remember--#3? One of my co-workers drilled his one out and added another hole inboard on the air horns--worked a whole lot better for the larger tip/needle size and using a 1/2" hose on that gun. He cranks his gun pressure up to be outside of HVLP 10PSI max. out the air cap.
Click to expand...

Totally agree on the CFM issue. I have googled the crap out of this and short of an air cap test kit (costs more than the guns) I can't seem to find a foolproof method to convince yourself that your piping or filter loss isn't at least part of your issue. This weekend I do plan to go over everything one more time.

Also will try upping the pressure/ fluid.
 
robking said:
Totally agree on the CFM issue. I have googled the crap out of this and short of an air cap test kit (costs more than the guns) I can't seem to find a foolproof method to convince yourself that your piping or filter loss isn't at least part of your issue. This weekend I do plan to go over everything one more time.

Also will try upping the pressure/ fluid.
Click to expand...
Here is something I would try--bypass all your existing piping/filters/ desiccant set-ups ....... and try a spray out right off the tank and see what happens before giving up on the gun for SS or clear. There should be a 2 NPS threaded inspection opening on the tank shell toward the top ( now plugged on your tank) or perhaps another opening is there to pull from or to bush down from and connect your hose right to it. I see the 25' hose you use is 300psi working pressure rated so putting your gun regulator you use on the end and adjusting down here is going to give you a way to get the least impeded air delivery possible. The at the end of the hose estimate is about 20 CFM right from the tank at the your tank high pressure--to whatever your low pressure cut in switch is set for. That should give you a better idea of your current piping set-up is helping with creating a flow reduction. If you can get a cheapy Fuji or Earlex viscosity Ford #4 cup for $5 or so and get and time your SS to run about 17 seconds. 1.3 or 1.5 tip should be good. That takes care of those variables.
 
Want to add this I have a starting line small TU gun about 8 years old and is good for small spots and have had good results but doing this for a long time and must clean this gun very well after each use.
 
El Toro said:
Want to add this I have a starting line small TU gun about 8 years old and is good for small spots and have had good results but doing this for a long time and must clean this gun very well after each use.
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I have one of those too and totally agree, is great for smaller areas. Just bought a rebuild kit for it too, I accidentally buggered the packing nut in mine and it sputters some but that's all on me, know exactly when it happened.
 
My Secretary found the purchase. It wasn't eBay that I purchased it from, it was Amazon. The price has gone up a little going from memory. The Amazon ad says it's only the gun. When I purchased mine, the ad said the same thing but I also received the PPS cup, liner and adapter. If you read all the reviews you'll see others mention they also received the PPS starter kit with the Iwata LPH 400.

Anyway, here's the link. It's good to see this seller is still selling this great spray gun.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3NEEDA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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MJM said:
My Secretary found the purchase. It wasn't eBay that I purchased it from, it was Amazon. The price has gone up a little going from memory. The Amazon ad says it's only the gun. When I purchased mine, the ad said the same thing but I also received the PPS cup, liner and adapter. If you read all the reviews you'll see others mention they also received the PPS starter kit with the Iwata LPH 400.

Anyway, here's the link. It's good to see this seller is still selling this great spray gun.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3NEEDA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Click to expand...
Cool, that's exactly the one I was looking at. Nice to hear from a real person that they didn't get a knockoff. I also like that it ships directly from Amazon. Should be here Thursday. I'd like to live off the grid but I love 2 day prime shipping! :)
 
Yes a lph is not even in the same league as starting line. Everything from feel in the hand, build quality, spray quality etc is light years ahead. Not to mention if you ever needed to sell it for some reason you’d get a lot of your money back. If your on a budget the Kiwami Wider4L is the same gun just in an “updated” body. 100% legit genuine made in Japan iwata no worries. They come straight from Japan usually. Painting Tool Japan on eBay is a very reputable seller. Just make sure it’s the Wider4L and not the Wider4 if you’re looking for the tulip cut nozzle and lower pressures of the lph. The Wider4 is the same as the w400 which was a compliant gun. More material higher pressures. But pretty easy to tell as the lph version(Wider4L) is usually about $100 more. But still about $200 cheaper than buying a lph400. Just an option.
 
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