Harbor Freight "Black Widow" HTE Spray Gun
Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: The Garage
Forum Name: Tool Time tool review and eval area
Forum Description: Tool reviews, evaluations and tips only please.
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=104046
Printed Date: Apr/23/2024 at 11:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Harbor Freight "Black Widow" HTE Spray Gun
Posted By: CamJam
Subject: Harbor Freight "Black Widow" HTE Spray Gun
Date Posted: Feb/16/2020 at 10:14pm
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I bought my first paint spray gun three or four years ago... the famous HF purple guns that do a pretty good job considering their $15 or so price. I later upgraded to $130 Graco/Sharpe 3000. I painted my Javelin with that gun but never really was happy with it. I spent most of my time sanding orange peel, despite trying different pressures, settings, paints etc. It just wouldn't consistently lay the paint flat. I happened to notice that the new HF Black Widow HTE gun was getting great reviews on the HF web site, so I decided to try one. It's $200, and with the omnipresent 20% discount coupon expect to pay $160. Right off the bat I have to say this gun rocks! I painted a test panel yesterday and today painted the rear cap on my motor home that was faded from the Arizona sun. Paint lays flat, with no sign of orange peel whatsoever. Last I looked, there were 42 reviews on the HF web site for this gun, and all but three of them give it a 5-star rating! Those three were 4-star. ------------- '73 Javelin 360 (current project) '72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST '69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD  |
Replies:
Posted By: rsrguy3
Date Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 12:08am
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What size tips are available?
------------- javguy |
Posted By: CamJam
Date Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 6:08am
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1.3 and 1.7. I understand many of the Sata parts are interchangeable, but not sure if that includes tips.
------------- '73 Javelin 360 (current project) '72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST '69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD |
Posted By: Ollie
Date Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 7:51am
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I use the $15 HF guns on all my projects with success. Usually I only use them once and trash them. It's cheaper to trash them than buying gun cleaner. I sometimes clean one for primer, but buy the throw away cups; as that saves gun cleaner. I just don't know if I could pay that much $ for a HF, but you do have a compelling argument if they are that good. Hopefully my painting days are coming to an end. All I see in my future after completing Road Warrior is to paint the front clip on Rapid Delivery, my postal jeep. I was planning on doing it this winter but it didn't happen. Having AMC Fun, Ollie ------------- 1966 American Convertible -- "The Rambler"..SOLD 1974 Postal Jeep -- "Rapid Delivery"...SOLD 1969 Rambler 220 post car--"Road Warrior" 1989 Jeep Comanche Pioneer, 4.0L, auto, 2wd |
Posted By: 70 Donohue 390
Date Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 10:19am
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What paint did you use Cam? Single Stage or Base Clear?
------------- 67 Rogue 290 Convert 70 BBO 390 5 Speed Javelin-under construction |
Posted By: CamJam
Date Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 11:33am
When I did the Javelin I used single stage acrylic enamel, as I was after something that looked like the original paint. On everything else I've done I use single stage acrylic urethane. Though you can clear coat it, I haven't tried that yet. I've been mostly painting parts of my motor home and tow car that have faded from the Arizona sun plus some dent repairs on my girlfriend's Prius. I'd like to repaint the Javelin now that I've got a decent gun, but I don't really feel like starting over on it right now. I might redo the hood though. For now I just make sure to keep it raised when I'm at car shows, lol.
------------- '73 Javelin 360 (current project) '72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST '69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD |
70 Donohue 390 wrote:Posted By: target
Date Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 3:50pm
| Several of my friends in a body shop forum have bought it and are pleased. PPS adapters are available that work with it too. Only thing I see they need to do is stock parts for it in the store. If it's your primary paint gun you need to have parts available at the store so you are not without a gun waiting on parts. |
Posted By: CARnivore
Date Posted: Feb/17/2020 at 5:46pm
| Good quality paint is half the equation. The rest is gun, technique and application |
Posted By: theamcguy
Date Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 7:33am
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Does it come with both tips?
------------- Bill Strobel Fayetteville, NC 1967 Rebel SST 1969 SC/Rambler 1972 Hornet Sportabout 1976 Matador Brougham AMCRC. AMCWC, AMO, NAMDRA |
Posted By: target
Date Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 8:31am
| I don't think so bill. The hvlp gun is 1.3. The compliant gun is 1,7. Two different guns. That's how I understand it. |
Posted By: rsrguy3
Date Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 10:08am
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I've also heard good things about it, but I agree about the parts and tip issue. I had considered grabbing one for shooting clear only, but I don't think I will unless they have one with multiple tips, and I can get rebuild kits at the same time.
------------- javguy |
Posted By: CamJam
Date Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 11:07am
Other way around. It appears to be the same gun with the tips being the only change. I've read that the SATA #15438 rebuild kit can be used for this gun. I saw that on a guitar painting forum, so take it for what it's worth. I use a different gun for primer, so changing tips isn't really a big deal for me. If I were doing this for a living though I could see where parts availability would be a concern. Booklet that came with the gun shows a breakdown of the parts, but says not all parts are available individually. A true tool for professionals should have EVERY part available.
------------- '73 Javelin 360 (current project) '72 Baja Bronze Javelin SST '69 Big Bad Orange AMX (2018 Teague Heritage Award) SOLD |
Posted By: target
Date Posted: Feb/18/2020 at 4:37pm
| Well my satas are over $500 or more depending on where you get them. If as good a gun as many users are saying the harbor freight gun is being able to get every part shouldn't be an issue. Parts for some of the premium guns cost more than the harbor freight gun complete. Should be able to get needles, nozzles, rebuild parts, and maybe air caps. Anything else needed just go get a new gun. |
Posted By: Ollie
Date Posted: Feb/19/2020 at 7:24am
so true I use Nason single stage acrylic. Cheap, but good paint for me. Base coat coat/clear coat doesn't look right on old cars...just me Having AMC Fun, Ollie ------------- 1966 American Convertible -- "The Rambler"..SOLD 1974 Postal Jeep -- "Rapid Delivery"...SOLD 1969 Rambler 220 post car--"Road Warrior" 1989 Jeep Comanche Pioneer, 4.0L, auto, 2wd |
Posted By: tyrodtom
Date Posted: Feb/19/2020 at 8:10pm
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I bit the bullet and got a HF HTE about 3 months ago. I've used it base and clear, and single stage. Not hardly up there with my Anesto Iwata, but not bad for the price. I've decided to use it exclusively on single stage, and base coat, and the AI on clear. ------------- 66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va. |
Posted By: dlyle
Date Posted: Apr/05/2020 at 2:26pm
I agree Ollie. Have some Nason Fleethane single stage and it has held up great for 16 years. My how time flys.
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Posted By: Japjack53
Date Posted: Jul/29/2020 at 10:14pm
| You can buy a name brand gun such as an anest iwatta bellaria for around $225. This is an amazing gun for a professional or a first time painter. |