Episode 45 - Music to My EARlex

23 Responses to “Episode 45 - Music to My EARlex”

1. Vic on March 27th, 2008 10:09 pm

   Thanks for the review Marc. A spray unit is definitely on my list. You’ll have to keep us posted if, over time, this still is your (mostly) go to gun. I’m always leery of getting “a good deal”. I’ve found buying the best first saves me money.

2. Mike on March 28th, 2008 7:39 am

   Just when I thought I didn’t need any more tools . . .

   Thanks for demo and your thoughts on the Earlex. I’ve been eyeing this but have yet to commit to buying it because I have not been able to try it out - your video has helped me decide.

   Thanks for another great video, Marc!

3. Keith on March 28th, 2008 7:45 am

   Marc, thanks for opening my eyes to this product. It seems to be a winner for the “cost conscious” of us out there.

   - Keith

4. The Darkness on March 28th, 2008 9:07 am

   Very nice Marc.
   Definitely going to get into spray finishing after seeing this.
   Thanks a lot and keep up the great work!

   -Russ

5. Bill on March 28th, 2008 9:55 am

   Thanks for the review, Marc. I’ve had one of these for several months now, and think its a great unit. How about a video or tips on how to properly adjust the spray to get that glassy smooth finish?

6. Kip from Nothern Illinois on March 28th, 2008 10:14 am

   Marc, very informative. I am curious about spray systems that run rom shop air. What manufactures handle that equipment.

   Maybe the same guys?

   In my head I think that would be cheaper to just get a pot with a gun.

   Like I said just curious.

   Thanks for the really stupendous video.
   K

7. wilbur on March 28th, 2008 10:34 am

   Hi Marc,

   Regarding the differences in noise levels between the Fuji and the Earlex (82 dB vs. 99 dB), going up by 10 dB actually represents a doubling of loudness. So a 17 dB difference between the two means that the Earlex is a little more than 3 times louder than the Fuji, which I wouldn’t describe as a little bit louder.

   Also, to put things into perspective, 99 dB is about as loud as a helicopter flying 100 ft overhead, or hearing a jet approach before landing, or a chainsaw. (http://www.rcaanews.org/noiselev.htm).

8. Paul Comi on March 28th, 2008 12:37 pm

   Marc, I enjoyed your review of the Earlex a lot. As you know I bought an Accuspray 23k and I’m envious of those convenience features like the way the gun stows in the unit, and how the hose and power cord wrap around the body of the unit. As a newbie to finishing, simple is better and I would have bought the Earlex for sure if I didn’t already have my hvlp. Those features would make it easy to store in my small 2 car garage size shop and transport when doing built in’s etc offsite. I too would appreciate you doing a follow up video on spray finishing technique.

9. Quiglag on March 28th, 2008 3:01 pm

   Kids… don’t experiment with needles like Marc did. :D

   Good non-review. It just shows that you don’t need the biggest or the best to turn out some good products.

10. Germain on March 28th, 2008 4:47 pm

    I think this TWW segment demonstrates your talents very well, Marc. You presented an excellent demonstration of a tool many woodworkers consider, but aren’t sure about. Your practical approach as a very knowledgable, but down to earth, source works well. You certainly went over everything I would want to know about the Earlex spray station.

    Unfortunately, most tool demos these days are just polished pitches tired as the proverbial door to door saleman and filled with irrelevant hype. Like the door to door saleman, we tend to disbelieve and ignore anything we hear from such demos. Your demos and reviews are quite the opposite; informative and credible.

    Thanks, Marc. I really liked this episode of TWW and found it very useful.

11. Eric on March 28th, 2008 6:58 pm

    Wish I would have had this when I was putting the water based clearcoat on my wife’s table. This is on my short list of tools to get. Thanks Marc!

12. ronald graziano on March 28th, 2008 7:32 pm

    Marc,
    If you spent 500 hours on a piece would your pull out the Fuji or would you use the Earlex? I was left with the feeling that maybe you would use the Fuji. That could have been just my reaction for some unknown reason. We where unable to really see the finish on the video, I think the one you showed us was sprayed with semi gloss with a bright reflective light on it , but again could not really see the finish. You have been right on and very straight forward and honest on your show and that weighs in heavily as I am at the crossroads of purchasing the very two guns that you where demonstrating. This has me leaning toward the Earlex but the FWW #194 article is still in the back of my mind but much less so. If money was not an issue I would go with the sure thing and get the Fuji but currently the money difference is a large factor. Thank you for presenting the facts as you see them and I’ll keep you posted.
    Ron Graziano

13. thewoodwhisperer on March 28th, 2008 7:52 pm

    Hey Ron. I didn’t really “show” the finish simply because I didn’t think I would be able to show you what you really need to see. My hope was that you would simply trust my judgment from my observations.

    Charles Neil holds the same opinion and that guys has a lot more spray experience than I do.

    To answer your question about the 500 hour piece, I would probably struggle more over which finish to spray rather than which gun to use. I think the hesitation you saw was the fact that I paid $700 for a turbine and I feel a little guilty when I actually enjoy using the Earlex more. lol.

    Look, there is no doubt the Fuji is the better machine. But for most finishes, I think you would be extremely hard-pressed to tell the difference between a finish that comes off the Fuji and one that comes off the Earlex. And for most small shops, the Earlex would do just fine. So maybe what I am saying is that the Fuji is perhaps a little overkill? Not sure as it is still a little early to make a definitive call.

    Now in a pro shop, I think the Earlex might get a little beat up and could very well fall short. The plastic hose might be the first thing to go as it gets stepped on. And Im not really sure about internal parts. So if you are spraying every day, you might consider a unit that would be up to the task (although I have no evidence that says the Earlex would not hold up under these conditions).

    And concerning the FWW article, I suggest reading this:
    http://www.taunton.com/finewoo.....x?id=30043

    And the rumor mill tells me to expect a complete re-test to be published in April’s FWW issue. I think you will find a very different result at that time.

14. Charles Neil on March 28th, 2008 10:46 pm

    Marc, an excellant video and presentation of the Earlex. Sherri absolutely loved the way you presented it.

    When I am teaching my on-sight finishing classes, this unit always wins with the students and they have the opportunity to use over 18 different guns and units as well as types of spray equipment during the week. I personally use it on occasion but for the most part still rely on my Kremlin system, things are a little different when you are doing it to make your livin’

    Billy, my apprentice/helper has learned to spray with this unit in the past six months and he has no interest in moving to the other equipment that is available here at my shop because he finds that the HV5000 fits his needs for his projects, it does a good job.

    Just one last note to everyone, there is NO system that can be taken out of the box and lay down the perfect finish, as Marc explained so well, you will still need to get the feel of the flow and spray patterns and adjust accordingly to be successful laying down that perfect finish.

    Once again Marc, great video!

15. Ytsejamr on March 29th, 2008 5:54 am

    Very cool! Does Nicole know that you painted the side of your house?? :-)

16. Germain on March 29th, 2008 6:35 am

    The folks at Earlex should be thrilled their product has been recommended by both Marc Spagnuolo and Charles Neil.

17. Jerry on March 29th, 2008 8:40 am

    Marc, thanks for the Earlex review. I have a Fuji 4 stage and find viscosity a key issue in spraying. I was very curious how you would deal with it in your review and was disappointed when you didn’t go through the process of timing your flow from the viscosity cup. In reading various web wood-working forums I know I am not alone in my quest to find the viscosity holy grail. Please consider a future episode on this subject, I think there are a lot of folks who would appreciate the info.

    I enjoy your web site and videos, thanks for helping us fellow woodworkers learn about new -to us- techniques and twists in our favorite hobby.

18. Chris on March 30th, 2008 6:50 pm

    Marc,

    Wilbur’s maths was a little out but his point is pretty valid.
    Every 3dB represents a doubling of sound pressure, therefore the 18dB difference represents a 6 times increase in sound pressure.
    Hearing damage begins at 85dB.
    Most experts advise less than 15 minutes exposure per day at 95dB and this thing is even louder.
    Given these figures your quick demonstration on video without ear protection could have damaged your hearing. If you are going to use this product please use hearing protection, if you can’t be bothered with hearing protection then use the Fuji.

    Chris

19. thewoodwhisperer on March 30th, 2008 7:15 pm

    Thanks for the details Chris. Although I didn’t wear protection for the video, I personally consider it appropriate to wear hearing protection with either unit. I suppose that’s why I didn’t think the difference between them was dramatic. Neither unit is “comfortable” to be near while its running and I hope everyone will take the necessary measures to protect themselves.

    As for that short demo damaging my hearing? lol. I spent 6 years in highschool and college playing the drums. I have already made my bed. ;)

20. Gatorbait on March 31st, 2008 5:43 am

    Marc,
    Thanks for the ‘review’. I’ve been looking for a unit for a while. I didn’t have a lot of $s to drop on one so this fits the bill for me (I snagged it off of Harbor Freight - interesting that the ‘other’ stores sell it for a whole lot more). I’m not a pro and don’t have a pro shop. I’ve followed your advise through your shows and you haven’t steered me wrong yet. I have several of the products (either from your shop or from your recommendations) and have been happy with all of them. I don’t have a lot of disposal income to drop of power tools so I like to get it right the first time. Thanks for taking the time to provide your opinion on this. I hope you get a kick back or at least a few freebies from these guys. These companie are making a killing off of your shows.

21. Velbloud on April 1st, 2008 10:14 am

    Hi Marc, thanks for your insight. I was wondering if you ever had a chance (or will) to test the other HVPL system that is sold by places like Harbor Freight, Rockler or Woodcraft. It’s the grey one with a plastic gun. The Earlex seems similar (at least in principle) although higher quality but costs more than 3x as much. I have heard some good things about the grey HVLP system and would be interesting to see it compared to Earlex. I do understand that you cannot go around and test every single cheap piece of …equipment. Just curious.

22. Dean on May 1st, 2008 9:14 am

    Marc, have you tested the Earlex on a horizontal surface? Does tilting the gun down 90 degrees affect the paint flow?

23. thewoodwhisperer on May 1st, 2008 9:53 am

    Hey Dean. The Earlex works great on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. I must say I didn’t test the latex paint on a horizontal surface though. I can’t imagine that would create any problems though.

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