Craftsman Spray Gun
Model No. 919.716051
Owners Manual
Safety Guidelines
CAUTION: Read the Safety Guidelines and All Instructions Carefully Before Operating.
Sold By Sears Canada, Inc., Toronto, Ont. M5B 2B8
Safety Guidelines - Definitions
This manual contains information that is important for you to know and understand. This information relates to protecting YOUR SAFETY and PREVENTING EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS. To help you recognize this information, we use the symbols below. Please read the manual and pay attention to these sections.
⚠ DANGER Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
⚠ WARNING Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
⚠ CAUTION Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
ⓘ CAUTION Used without the safety alert symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.
Important Safety Instructions
☑ SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS ☑
IMPROPER OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE OF THIS PRODUCT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL WARNINGS AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING THIS EQUIPMENT.
Hazards During Normal Use:
| Hazard | What Can Happen | How to Prevent It |
|---|---|---|
| 🔥 Risk of Explosion or Fire (Flammable Materials) | Sprayed paint particles mix with air, becoming highly flammable, potentially causing serious injury or death. | Never spray near open flames or pilot lights. Never smoke while spraying. Provide ample ventilation indoors. |
| 📁 Risk of Explosion (Incompatible Materials) | Solvents like 1,1,1-Trichloroethane and Methylene Chloride can react with aluminum, creating an explosion hazard. | Read material data sheets. Do not use spray coatings containing these solvents. Do not use these solvents for cleaning. Consult supplier if unsure about compatibility. |
| 💊 Risk to Breathing | Paints, coatings, and solvents can cause lung damage or burns if inhaled or contacted. | Use a NIOSH-approved mask or respirator and protective clothing. Consult a safety expert if uncertain. |
| 🚀 Risk from Flying Objects | Pressurized parts can be propelled if disassembled. Compressed air can propel debris causing injury. Prolonged exposure can cause hearing damage. | Disconnect air line before disassembly. Never point nozzle at people. Wear ANSI Z87.1 safety goggles. Wear hearing protection. |
General Information
Spray Gun
This Craftsman Spray Gun is designed for use with air compressors delivering at least 4.5 SCFM at 40 PSI. It is a non-bleeder gun, compatible with Sears and most modern compressors. Non-bleeder guns require an air regulator and automatic start/stop pressure switch. The gun features a built-in air valve that shuts off airflow when the trigger is released.
It has both siphon and pressure feed settings, factory-set for siphon feed, ideal for light to medium-bodied paints (stain, lacquer) on large jobs like auto refinishing. The included cup is for suction feed only, but the gun can be used with a remote pressure feed tank for larger applications. For heavy-bodied paints, the SG3-0030 Air Cap is recommended.
Air Caps
- External Mix: Air and material mix outside the air cap. Best for quick-drying paints like latex and lacquers.
- Internal Mix: Air and material mix inside the air cap. Used for thick paints where fast application is prioritized over finish quality. Requires pressure feed setup.
To change air caps, turn the retaining ring (1) counterclockwise and remove. Note: This gun is not designed for corrosive or highly abrasive materials, as this can lead to poor performance or failure.
When assembling, ensure the plastic baffle is in place and the tip is not cross-threaded or over-tightened (160-220 in.-lbs. torque recommended).
Preparation for Spraying
The spray gun is shipped fully assembled and set up for siphon feed. Connect an air line to the air inlet adapter (44) (see page 9).
Flush the gun with solvent before spraying paint. The fluid needle packing (13) may be loose; tighten the packing retainer (14) until it engages the fluid needle (9), then back off about 1/4 turn until the needle moves freely.
Ensure the surface to be sprayed is clean and dry. Mix paint according to manufacturer instructions. A Sears viscosimeter can be helpful. Strain material through a 60-90 mesh screen.
For quick disconnect, remove air hose adapter (44) and install a 1/4" NPT quick disconnect adapter into the gun body (19). Start with 40 psi air pressure and follow safety precautions on page 3.
Converting to Pressure Feed
Internal Pressure Feed
For materials too thick for siphon feed or when fast application is desired:
- Unscrew and remove the cup.
- Unscrew the shroud retaining sleeve (25) until the shroud (21) can be pulled down and rotated (approx. 1/4 turn).
- Rotate the shroud so the pressure arrow faces away from the handle and hand-tighten the sleeve.
⚠ WARNING: RISK OF BURSTING OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE. When operating at pressure feed with the cup attached, air pressure must not exceed 50 PSIG.
Remote Pressure Feed
- Unscrew and remove the cup.
- Unscrew the shroud retaining sleeve (25). Remove the fluid tube, compression ring, and shroud. Store small parts in the cup.
- Install the SSF-9821-PB thread forming screw into the small pressure port where the shroud gasket seats. Tighten until the shoulder contacts the gun body (See Fig. 1).
- The gun is now ready to connect to a pressure feed tank with a standard 3/8" straight pipe female connection.
Operation
- Shut off fluid flow by turning the fluid needle adjusting screw (12) clockwise until snug. Do not force.
- Keep air pressure as low as possible, starting at 40 psi.
- Open the air valve assembly (6) counterclockwise until the first thread is flush with the back of the gun (full open position).
- Hold the trigger (17) back and gradually open the fluid needle adjusting screw (12) until the desired pattern is achieved.
- Trigger the gun quickly (one second on-off) and spray a small test pattern.
- If spraying is too fast (runs/sags), lower air and fluid pressure. If too slow, increase pressure. Adjust for balanced pressure.
When using an internal mix air cap, start with the same air and fluid pressure.
⚠ CAUTION: The SG3-0006 air valve (6) is under pressure when the gun is triggered. If the valve is turned out too far, it may detach forcefully, and the O-ring may be damaged. Do not turn the valve past the first thread, as it will not affect the spray pattern.
Maintenance
Clean the spray gun thoroughly after each use.
- Turn off air supply and remove the cup.
- Empty material from the cup and rinse with clean solvent (thinner).
- Fill the cup with solvent and attach to the lid.
NOTE: Clean with reduced air pressure (15-20 PSI) for quick and thorough cleaning.
- Turn on air supply and spray solvent through the gun. Shake the gun up and down to remove excess material. Repeat steps 1-4 with clean solvent until all material is removed.
- Turn off air supply.
- To clean vents and shroud interior, disassemble the lid assembly and wipe with solvent. Unscrew the shroud retaining sleeve. When reassembling, orient the fluid pick-up tube bend away from the handle, then hand-tighten the shroud retaining sleeve (25).
- Wipe the exterior of the gun and cup with a solvent-soaked cloth. DO NOT IMMERSE THE GUN IN SOLVENT – this will wash out lubricants and dry out packings.
- To clean the air cap and fluid tip, remove them (see Air Caps page 4), soak in solvent, and wipe clean. Use a wooden toothpick for plugged holes. Never use metal objects. When reassembling the fluid tip, do not overtighten (160-200 in.-lbs. torque recommended) or cross-thread.
NOTE: If water is used for cleaning, spray paint thinner or mineral spirits afterward to remove moisture and protect parts.
After cleaning, apply a few drops of light household oil to the fluid needle (9), packing retainer (14) threads, air valve assembly (6) threads, and the part of the valve stem (7) protruding from the gun body. Periodically grease springs.
Hints for Good Spraying Results
- Hold the gun perpendicular to the surface, 6" to 8" away.
- Follow contours.
- Overlap each stroke 50%.
- Feather the ends by triggering: start the stroke before pulling the trigger and release just before ending the stroke.
- Spray edges and corners first to reduce overspray and ensure good coverage.
- Do not arc strokes; move the gun parallel to the work.
Typical Spray Pattern: The spray pattern should normally be shaped like a uniform oval or fan. If not, refer to the Troubleshooting Guide.
Troubleshooting Guide
This guide helps diagnose and solve common spray gun problems.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy top or bottom pattern. | Material build-up on air cap or fluid tip. Partially plugged horn holes, center holes, or fluid tip hole. | Determine build-up location by inverting cap and test spraying. If pattern stays same, build-up is on fluid tip. If pattern changes with cap movement, it's in the air cap. Soak cap/tip in solvent, wipe clean. Use a wooden toothpick for orifices; never use metal. Reduce fluid flow or increase air pressure. |
| Heavy right or left side pattern. | Too much material. Material too thick. | Reduce fluid flow or increase air pressure. Thin material. |
| Heavy center pattern. | Not enough material. | Reduce air pressure or increase fluid flow. |
| Split spray pattern. | Insufficient material. Gun with cup tipped at excessive angle. Obstructed fluid passage or hose. Loose fluid tip or damaged tip seat. Loose or cracked fluid tube. Too heavy fluid for suction feed. Dry or worn packing or loose packing nut. | Fill material container. Do not tip excessively. Clean. Tighten or replace fluid tip/tube. Thin material or change to pressure feed. Lubricate or replace packing; tighten nut. |
| Jerky or fluttering spray. | Gun improperly adjusted. Dirty air cap. Fluid tip obstructed. Sluggish needle. | Readjust gun. Clean air cap. Clean fluid tip. Lubricate needle. |
| Improper spray pattern. | Fan adjustment stem not seating properly. | Clean or replace fan adjustment stem. |
| Unable to get round spray. | No air pressure at gun. Internal mix air cap used with suction feed. | Check air lines. Change to pressure feed. |
| Will not spray. | Fluid pressure too low with internal mix cap and pressure tank. Screw not open enough. Fluid too heavy for suction feed. Packing nut loose. Packing worn or dry. Dry packing. Sluggish needle. Tight packing nut. | Increase fluid pressure. Open fluid adjusting screw. Change to pressure feed. Tighten packing nut (do not overtighten). Replace or lubricate packing. Lubricate needle. Adjust packing nut. |
| Fluid leakage from packing retainer nut. | Packing worn or dry. | Replace packing or lubricate (see Maintenance). |
| Dripping from fluid tip. | Dry packing. Sluggish needle. Tight packing nut. | Lubricate packing. Lubricate needle. Adjust packing nut (see Operation). |
| Runs and sags. | Too much material for spray pace. Material too thin. Gun tilted on an angle. | Reduce pressure and readjust. Remix or spray light coats. Hold gun at right angle. |
| Excessive overspray. | Too much atomization air pressure. Gun too far from surface. Improper stroking (arcing, moving too fast). | Reduce air pressure. Check distance. Move at moderate pace, parallel to work surface. |
| Excessive fog. | Too much or quick drying thinner. Too much atomization air pressure. | Remix thinner. Reduce air pressure. |
| Thin, sandy coarse finish drying before it flows out. | Gun too far from surface. Too much air pressure. Improper thinner. | Move gun closer. Reduce air pressure. Follow paint manufacturer's instructions. |
| Thick dimpled finish "orange peel." Too much material coarsely atomized. | Gun too close to surface. Air pressure too low. Improper thinner. Material not thoroughly mixed. Surface rough, oily, dirty. | Move gun away. Increase air pressure or reduce fluid pressure. Follow paint manufacturer's instructions. Mix thoroughly. Clean and prepare surface. |
Support and Service
For repair services, parts, accessories, and owner's manuals, contact Sears:
- Your Home Repairs: 1-800-4-MY-HOME (1-800-469-4663) (U.S.A. & Canada)
- Carry-in Product Repairs: 1-800-488-1222 (U.S.A. only)
- Protection/Maintenance Agreements (U.S.A.): 1-800-827-6655
- Maintenance Agreements (Canada): 1-800-361-6665
- Spanish Service (U.S.A.): 1-888-SU-HOGAR (1-888-784-6427)
- French Service (Canada): 1-800-LE-FOYER (1-800-533-6937)
- Websites: www.sears.com, www.sears.ca
Sears, Roebuck and Co.
