Other than our classic trucks themselves, there’s nothing more dear to a rodder’s heart than our collection of tools. From big giant noisy power tools to neat little manual gadgets that’ll fit in the palm of a hand, nearly all of us have toolboxes jamb packed and workbenches and walls covered and hung with tools of every description and use. Let’s face it, any tool that makes a repair or fabrication chore easier or even possible at all is welcomed into the home shop with glee—even if there are ones that’ll only see service on rare occasions, we’ve gotta have ’em—just in case.
Cool tools can be found anywhere, the local hardware store, parts jobber, metal supply house, ads, and tech stories right here in CT, the Internet, and in the case of some neat homemade tools—the home shops of friends and acquaintances. The subject of this diatribe though was found between the covers of one of my favorite tool sources—the Eastwood Company’s mail order catalog.
What we’re going to check out today is a great home-shop spray gun system offered by, as I just stated, The Eastwood Company. The kit is manufactured by Devilbiss and it contains everything the hobbyist will need to both prime and paint like a pro (with a bit of practice of course). The system is called the Starting Line System and consists of two spray guns (one for primer, and one for paint), a pair of 20-ounce aluminum gravity cups, an air regulator, and a tool kit with accessories—not bad for under a hundred and fifty bucks. So, check out this handy system—it’s a must have for the home hot rod builder, as is most of the cool tools and materials offered by The Eastwood Company—checkout their Website and you’ll see just what I mean.
Being a self-admitted tool...
Being a self-admitted tool junkie, I’m always on the prowl for cool new tools that’ll make my chores around the garage easier and more successful. One consistent source for me are the catalog and website of The Eastwood Company—a resource where I’ve found high-quality and great service for years.
Having sold paint and body...
Having sold paint and body equipment for years in a previous (pre-magazine) life, I’m extremely familiar with the Devilbiss line of spray equipment, so when I spied the brand name in the latest Eastwood catalog I immediately took a closer look. The price for the system was way more than reasonable, the brand is a leader in the industry, my experiences with Eastwood have always been good ones, and I felt it was about time to replace my 35-plus year-old conventional suction-feed gun—what the heck? I placed my order.
I wasn’t disappointed when...
I wasn’t disappointed when it arrived a couple of days later either. The guns (even for their extremely affordable price tag) were of the quality I was used to.
Unlike many brands, the Devilbiss...
Unlike many brands, the Devilbiss system comes with high-quality aluminum cups rather than the cheesy plastic we’re all too ready to put up with these days.
The guns in the kit are full-sized,...
The guns in the kit are full-sized, not smaller touchup versions. One is equipped with a 1.3mm needle and nozzle for top coats, and the other with a 1.8mm setup for thicker materials like primers and sealers.
With the fluid cups in place...
With the fluid cups in place this pair of guns feel right in your hand. The controls are the same as industrial-type production guns (fan adjustment and fluid adjustment) and the added bonus of being HVLP (high-volume low-pressure) allows you to paint whatever you need to without huge billowing clouds of overspray.
You get a nice little array...
You get a nice little array of tools, cleaning equipment, and spare parts with the system, as well. That’s another bonus when buying a system over an individual spray gun, too.
Another thing I liked about...
Another thing I liked about the duo was the fact that one gun’s knobs and air cap ring are anodized making it easier to distinguish between your primer and/or finish gun at a glance. And since primers and some sealers are more abrasive than finish coats, you get an extra 1.8mm primer/sealer needle and fluid nozzle with the system, as well.
All in all, the Devilbiss...
All in all, the Devilbiss Starting Line System is a winner, and Eastwood should be applauded for offering it to us rodders at a fair price, too.