I watched this video last year, but needed a refresher course. I haven't used the Critter for a while, I have a new compressor, and I'm spraying primer. Thanks for getting me back on track.
Another great video Eric. I have found an 18 gauge brad nail is the perfect size for cleaning out the nozzle's orifice. I preset my air pressure by using my air nozzle first......I spray air continuously while dropping the air pressure to 35 psi for water based and 45 psi for oil based. Then I connect my Critter Gun to the air hose. I have learned to slowly move the sprayer from side to side while slightly overlapping the previous spray pattern. I finish the application by spraying the carved portions of the sign coming from the opposite directions.....making sure all areas of the carved portion are covered. I let it dry, then sand the sign with 400 grit, blow off the sign and clean it with a Tack rag, then apply the next coat......repeating these steps until I have the desired finish. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Critter Gun.
I Love the critter. Another thing I do is once I’ve run water through on clean up I blow the airline up the tube to clear anything left in there . If you look up the tube like a telescope through the jet you should see through it clearly, if not repeat brushing and blast of air until you can. Don’t forget also to make sure the small air hole on top is clear or that can stop the spray working. A final tip is the lids can jam due to the finishes drying in the thread. You can put plumbers tape around the jar thread which helps with that 😊. Thank you for video Eric 😊 1 second ago
I've been using a Critter for only a couple of weeks painting my bee hive wooden ware and I'm thrilled with the ease of use and the consistency and quality of finish. And on top of that all you have to do to store the remaining finish is just put a mason lid and ring on the jar and label. A couple of quick tips or hints: 1. Use a 1/4" ID tube for to extending the siphon tube. Your video shows it real quick but if someone wants to buy one, look for 1/4 inch ID. I picked up a foot of it at Princess Auto (think Canada's version of Harbor Freight) for about $0.75 Canadian. 2. If you can't find a suitable small bottle brush to help keep the siphon nozzle clear, pick up pack of small interdental brushes. They're a kind of dental floss kind of thing, they're cheap, and you can probably buy them anywhere you find tooth brushes and dental floss.
The Critter has been my friend since you first introduced it, and yes, I find water-based to be ideal for signs, partly because of its quick drying (in the right conditions you can easily sand off and re-coat within 4 hours). Spraying a water based exterior polyurethane (containing UV filters) works well for me despite the Idaho Painter's advice to apply with a brush in your video #203. Great finish every time and never had any customer complaints about poor outdoor resilience. A tip I can offer about the cleaning of the Critter spray jet, is to completely unscrew the nozzle (take care not to lose the spring!) and clean out the underside where it widens out beneath the narrow jet. Simply pushing a brush, piece of wire or brad nail down the jet from above can sometimes just dislodge the offending gunk down to a point where it can return into the jet later. Love the return of Coffee & Questions!
Happy it's working well for you. Yes I agree about the spraying. I like it much better than the brush. I will try the tip about taking the tip off, Thank you!!!
I remove the tip and spring after every use. It's really east to clean, there's also a vent hole on top that's critical to keep clean and open. It's by far the best crafters gun for the money, love mine.
Wow, good timing, I was just looking at sprayer last weekend and was going to do some research this weekend. I'm building 3' flags, 2' flags and several other smaller signs and I'm going through clear like it's water... The fumes are killing me now that I have to spray in the garage - so COLD already. now that I have this information I'll buy one through your link and give it a try.
Cool. Thanks for the info. I love my critter also but I am guilty of moving to fast. That comes from a fear of runs. You can always put on a little more, because it's a pain to wipe off runs.
Do you use this Critter paint sprayer to spray ink over the letters when laying out a sign? If not could you and what do you generally use it for in sign making? Finally does the quart size jars get heavy? Thanks
I don't use the critter spray gun for spraying ink. I think you could but I'm not sure about the control, seems like you could easily over spray. I use this for spraying the finish and sanding sealer.
I just got a critter gun after watching you use one the last few years and i"m Loving it! on an unrelated note how about a hashtag for your viewers to use on makers playground? It would be cool to find each others post on the forum.
Where do you find the extension hose? I bought the quart jars, then had to revert back to pint jars because of that reason. Is it a certain kind of hose? Thanks.
. Love the critter . Thank you for all your Carving videos . A big fan of you and your family.
Thank you so much Doug, we appreciate you!!!
I watched this video last year, but needed a refresher course. I haven't used the Critter for a while, I have a new compressor, and I'm spraying primer. Thanks for getting me back on track.
Happy to help Bob, Thank you!!!
@@oldave100 After spraying the primer, I switched to water-based poly. It was like turning on a fire hose.
I prefer water based finishes.
Another great video Eric. I have found an 18 gauge brad nail is the perfect size for cleaning out the nozzle's orifice. I preset my air pressure by using my air nozzle first......I spray air continuously while dropping the air pressure to 35 psi for water based and 45 psi for oil based. Then I connect my Critter Gun to the air hose. I have learned to slowly move the sprayer from side to side while slightly overlapping the previous spray pattern. I finish the application by spraying the carved portions of the sign coming from the opposite directions.....making sure all areas of the carved portion are covered. I let it dry, then sand the sign with 400 grit, blow off the sign and clean it with a Tack rag, then apply the next coat......repeating these steps until I have the desired finish. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Critter Gun.
Great tips Frank, Thank You!!!
I Love the critter. Another thing I do is once I’ve run water through on clean up I blow the airline up the tube to clear anything left in there . If you look up the tube like a telescope through the jet you should see through it clearly, if not repeat brushing and blast of air until you can. Don’t forget also to make sure the small air hole on top is clear or that can stop the spray working. A final tip is the lids can jam due to the finishes drying in the thread. You can put plumbers tape around the jar thread which helps with that 😊. Thank you for video Eric 😊
1 second ago
Great ideas!!!! Thank you!!!
Great ideas thank you.
woodworkingbylpi shows how to use a drinking stray to extend the siphon tube.
Ya, we ended up doing that. It works pretty good!
I've been using a Critter for only a couple of weeks painting my bee hive wooden ware and I'm thrilled with the ease of use and the consistency and quality of finish. And on top of that all you have to do to store the remaining finish is just put a mason lid and ring on the jar and label.
A couple of quick tips or hints:
1. Use a 1/4" ID tube for to extending the siphon tube. Your video shows it real quick but if someone wants to buy one, look for 1/4 inch ID. I picked up a foot of it at Princess Auto (think Canada's version of Harbor Freight) for about $0.75 Canadian.
2. If you can't find a suitable small bottle brush to help keep the siphon nozzle clear, pick up pack of small interdental brushes. They're a kind of dental floss kind of thing, they're cheap, and you can probably buy them anywhere you find tooth brushes and dental floss.
Happy to hear it's working well for you. Thank you for the great tips!!!
very helpful tip, was having same trouble
You're welcome Jimmy, happy to help!!!
Nice video Eric. I was in the same boat as you. Stopped using it cause I wasn’t getting results but after this I’m going back to it. Thanks!!
Thank you buddy, For me I just needed to keep playing with it to get it dialed in.
great tip on the tube extension
Thank you Gary!!!
The Critter has been my friend since you first introduced it, and yes, I find water-based to be ideal for signs, partly because of its quick drying (in the right conditions you can easily sand off and re-coat within 4 hours). Spraying a water based exterior polyurethane (containing UV filters) works well for me despite the Idaho Painter's advice to apply with a brush in your video #203. Great finish every time and never had any customer complaints about poor outdoor resilience. A tip I can offer about the cleaning of the Critter spray jet, is to completely unscrew the nozzle (take care not to lose the spring!) and clean out the underside where it widens out beneath the narrow jet. Simply pushing a brush, piece of wire or brad nail down the jet from above can sometimes just dislodge the offending gunk down to a point where it can return into the jet later. Love the return of Coffee & Questions!
Happy it's working well for you. Yes I agree about the spraying. I like it much better than the brush. I will try the tip about taking the tip off, Thank you!!!
I don't do enough to justify buying a compressor. I'm glad you've done another coffee and questions.
Thank you Mark, happy you liked it!!!
Good info Eric. I love my Critter Gun thanks to you !
So happy to hear that!!! Thank you for watching...
Great vid as always. I enjoyed it. God bless you guys...
Thank you Michael, you too...
Great information! Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome Jon, happy to help....
Yes, coffee and questions!
Glad you liked it Roy, Thank you!!!
Good video Eric and i will have to look into the Critter. Thanks Dan
Thank you Dan!!!
I remove the tip and spring after every use. It's really east to clean, there's also a vent hole on top that's critical to keep clean and open. It's by far the best crafters gun for the money, love mine.
Great idea, Thank you Cathy...
Thanks, glad to see coffee and questions back again. Great topic today, have a great day
Thank you!!!
Thanks for the tips!
Thank you for watching!!
Can I use the critter gun with stain on a shed?
I don't see why not. I should spray it fine
I need one of those. Haven't bought it yet but it definitely seems to be easy and user friendly.
VERY user friendly!!!
I use the totalboat water based for all my clear finish. No yellowing yet and has held up outdoors in sun and snow. It can be brushed or sprayed on.
Thank you Dennis. I will check that out.
Whats up Eric !! Time to get back in my garage and carve...Hope yall are doing well, GO DAWGS !!
Hi Bruce, great to hear from you, Go Dawgs...
Wow, good timing, I was just looking at sprayer last weekend and was going to do some research this weekend. I'm building 3' flags, 2' flags and several other smaller signs and I'm going through clear like it's water... The fumes are killing me now that I have to spray in the garage - so COLD already. now that I have this information I'll buy one through your link and give it a try.
Happy to help Chad. Thank you for watching and all the support. Please email me if I can answer any questions for you, eric@makeawoodsign.com
Wonderful video! Looking forward to seeing more of these!
Thank you Tom!!!
Do you know if anyone has had success in spraying automotive primer with a Critter? I have a Critter and have an upcoming auto paint job. Thanks.
I never have but I'm sure it could be done. Thank you for watching!!!
thanks brother!
Thank you!!!
THANK YOU , YOU CLEARED UP MY PROBLEM I HAD THE UPTAKE TO HIGH
You're welcome Vernon, Happy to help.
Cool. Thanks for the info. I love my critter also but I am guilty of moving to fast. That comes from a fear of runs. You can always put on a little more, because it's a pain to wipe off runs.
Good point Bob. I almost always spray my signs laying flat except for the camera.
How big of compressor would you need to use the Critter Sprayer gun for spray painting furniture projects ? Thanks ..Great video !!
We have a small Kobalt 8 gallon 1.8 HP compressor that works good. Thank you...
I use pipe cleaners to clean the tube
Good idea....
got to get me a critter. Eric if Vicky's not happy you will not be happy
Agreed....
Do you use this Critter paint sprayer to spray ink over the letters when laying out a sign? If not could you and what do you generally use it for in sign making? Finally does the quart size jars get heavy? Thanks
I don't use the critter spray gun for spraying ink. I think you could but I'm not sure about the control, seems like you could easily over spray. I use this for spraying the finish and sanding sealer.
I just got a critter gun after watching you use one the last few years and i"m Loving it! on an unrelated note how about a hashtag for your viewers to use on makers playground? It would be cool to find each others post on the forum.
Thank you Matt, so glad you like the critter. I'm Eric Rhoten on Maker's Playground.
Where do you find the extension hose? I bought the quart jars, then had to revert back to pint jars because of that reason. Is it a certain kind of hose? Thanks.
This one was sent to me from a friend. Take it to Lowes. I think they have a section with lots of different size hoses. Just vinyl hose I think...
Thank you!! I been really wanting to know more about that critter gun, and will now be ordering one!! Do you have to thin the Zar or Helmsmans at all?
Happy to help Ryan, Thank you for watching. I don't thin any of my finishes.
Great video! John from Sweden here. When you spray a sign, is the sign flat or do you have it upright?
Normally flat unless I'm doing it for the camera....
👍
Thank you!!!
I love my critters, I have 5 of them. They are available at LeeValley.com or .ca Great videos Eric, always something worth learning. Thank You
Thank you Gary!!!
Can you give me Lanie's (instagram sign lady) name on instagram. Thanks.
Laney's IG is pine.and.birch. She's fantastic!!!