Home improvement gurus, handymen(and women) enter here.

[HappyPuppy]

I am embarking on a quest, finally, to fix up the ol' homestead built circa 1900. (That's almost as old as I am.)

I'm going to be renovating/painting every room inside plus painting the exterior over the next couple of years and am in need of advice on an airless paint sprayer. I need something of decent quality and durability, as well as reliability, that will serve me well in the $300 range. If necessary, I can go a bit higher.

I'm not crazy about the hopper type, they seem to be too much hassle to clean. I want something that will suck out of a gallon or 5 gallon can, depending on the circumstance. A piston feed is necessary as I detest the diaphram type. Easy cleanup and ready availability of replacement parts is a big plus.

This is going to be one of my big Christmas presents (isn't that a kick in the nuts? :roll😉 so I want to get the most for my $.

Anybody have experience with airless sprayers?

THX 🙂

 

[psiu]

No experience here. Good luck!

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: psiu
No experience here. Good luck!

Thanks for the bumperoonie. 😀

I have the ultimate faith that there is somebody in OT who is an expert on this subject. 😛

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: psiu
No experience here. Good luck!

Me either. I'm still getting by with the SEARS Paint Stick I got for Christmas a few years back. So far it's done the job for me.

Off topic suggestion, budget money for a complete re-wire job. Get rid of all old knob and tube and replace with either Romex style or BX (armored ) wiring.
Also, Arc Fault Interrupters are REQUIRED in bedrooms now, in addition to GROUND FAULT Interrupters in Bathrooms, kitchens and outdoors / garages.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: psiu
No experience here. Good luck!

Me either. I'm still getting by with the SEARS Paint Stick I got for Christmas a few years back. So far it's done the job for me.

Off topic suggestion, budget money for a complete re-wire job. Get rid of all old knob and tube and replace with either Romex style or BX (armored ) wiring.
Also, Arc Fault Interrupters are REQUIRED in bedrooms now, in addition to GROUND FAULT Interrupters in Bathrooms, kitchens and outdoors / garages.

Point taken. The house is all post and knob with no ground wires except where I have added them for the computers. Only problem with this bathroom is that it is upstairs and I can't figure out how to get Romex from the service panel to the bathroom. I can't afford an electrician to do it as it would cost $150 to $250 per switch/outlet etc. and that doesn't include pulling the wire from the service panel. I will probably wind up doing it myself, though. Sigh, it's just one more thing. Every time I turn around I take 3 steps back on this project.

 

[DrPizza]

If it's that much of a hassle getting new wire to the bathroom, just stick with the knob and tube. Simply upgrade to GFI outlets in the bathroom, and you'll be far better off than you presently are.
(GFI's don't require a ground wire to work)

 

[BannedTroll]

Go to Ebay. Bid on Titans. Hope you win one.

example

 

[redly]

better yet..upgrade to a GFI circuit breaker at the box (little hard to do a GFCI outlet with no ground 🙂 )

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
If it's that much of a hassle getting new wire to the bathroom, just stick with the knob and tube. Simply upgrade to GFI outlets in the bathroom, and you'll be far better off than you presently are.
(GFI's don't require a ground wire to work)

Yeh, from my research that is pretty much what I have decided on. A GFCI will work fine without a ground. As I understand only the test button won't work.

I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Inquiring minds want to know. 😉

I am enjoying doing this project, but I have to keep moving forward. Every time I start one thing two others pop up to stare me in the face. I still have to buy the vanity, mirror and ight bar, not to mention the amenities like towel racks, shower curtainrod etc.

 

[EyeMWing]

We're doing the same thing here - one room at a time. This house is half the age, though. Good luck, you'll need it.

Oh, and if your turds are larger than those of an infant, find some alternative to a fvcking low-flow toilet, unless you want to get to know your plunger well.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Yes, but GFCI breakers are around $50

Personally, I'd figure out a way to re-wire. There is always a way especially if you're willing knock some holes in the walls. You could even run some conduit up the back of a closet or along the stink pipe.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Yes, but GFCI breakers are around $50

Personally, I'd figure out a way to re-wire. There is always a way especially if you're willing knock some holes in the walls. You could even run some conduit up the back of a closet or along the stink pipe.

And if you want to pull new wire - it's easy. grab your role of E-tape and tape the new wire liberally to the top-end of the old one. Go downstairs and PULL with all your might.

Hopefully it's not stapled or anything inside the walls.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Yes, but GFCI breakers are around $50

Personally, I'd figure out a way to re-wire. There is always a way especially if you're willing knock some holes in the walls. You could even run some conduit up the back of a closet or along the stink pipe.

Holy Jebus, holes in the walls are absolutely no problem. I just had the house replumbed with copper last summer and all the friggin patches are still staring me in the face. I haven't even had time to paint them.

Yeh, I guess if worse came to worse I could run Romex in conduit up the side of the house to the attic and take it from there. I'm not an expert at electrical wiring, but I've done some in the past and nobody has died yet. 😉


_______________________________________________________________

And if you want to pull new wire - it's easy. grab your role of E-tape and tape the new wire liberally to the top-end of the old one. Go downstairs and PULL with all your might.

Hopefully it's not stapled or anything inside the walls.

_______________________________________________________________


God only knows how anything is put together in a 100 year old house. It's worth a try, though. I really should rewire the whole damn firetrap. :Q

Don't get me wrong, we love this house after living here for 22 years. It just needs so much upgrading.
:roll:

 

[redly]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Yes, but GFCI breakers are around $50

Personally, I'd figure out a way to re-wire. There is always a way especially if you're willing knock some holes in the walls. You could even run some conduit up the back of a closet or along the stink pipe.

And if you want to pull new wire - it's easy. grab your role of E-tape and tape the new wire liberally to the top-end of the old one. Go downstairs and PULL with all your might.

Hopefully it's not stapled or anything inside the walls.

Uhhh, not gonna work. The ceramic feed throughs that guide the wires through the floor joists have a lip that only allow them to be inserted/pulled out from one direction. And they are not always oriented in the same direction. AND, romex type cable is too large to feed though these insulators. Not to mention the fact that there are splices all over the place in knob/tube type wiring.

Basically, it fvcking sucks to retrofit.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: DrPizza
If it's that much of a hassle getting new wire to the bathroom, just stick with the knob and tube. Simply upgrade to GFI outlets in the bathroom, and you'll be far better off than you presently are.
(GFI's don't require a ground wire to work)

Yeh, from my research that is pretty much what I have decided on. A GFCI will work fine without a ground. As I understand only the test button won't work.

I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Inquiring minds want to know. 😉

I am enjoying doing this project, but I have to keep moving forward. Every time I start one thing two others pop up to stare me in the face. I still have to buy the vanity, mirror and ight bar, not to mention the amenities like towel racks, shower curtainrod etc.

Yes it is legal. In fact, it is the only accepted method for replacing a two wire duplex outlet with a three wire outlet.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: redly
better yet..upgrade to a GFI circuit breaker at the box (little hard to do a GFCI outlet with no ground 🙂 )

Wrong. Please read the little paper that comes with a GFCI. It compares current flow between hot and NEUTRAL.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Yes, but GFCI breakers are around $50

Personally, I'd figure out a way to re-wire. There is always a way especially if you're willing knock some holes in the walls. You could even run some conduit up the back of a closet or along the stink pipe.

Holy Jebus, holes in the walls are absolutely no problem. I just had the house replumbed with copper last summer and all the friggin patches are still staring me in the face. I haven't even had time to paint them.

Yeh, I guess if worse came to worse I could run Romex in conduit up the side of the house to the attic and take it from there. I'm not an expert at electrical wiring, but I've done some in the past and nobody has died yet. 😉


_______________________________________________________________

And if you want to pull new wire - it's easy. grab your role of E-tape and tape the new wire liberally to the top-end of the old one. Go downstairs and PULL with all your might.

Hopefully it's not stapled or anything inside the walls.

_______________________________________________________________


God only knows how anything is put together in a 100 year old house. It's worth a try, though. I really should rewire the whole damn firetrap. :Q

Don't get me wrong, we love this house after living here for 22 years. It just needs so much upgrading.
:roll:

Romex is not allowed in conduit except for short (usually less than 6ft) distances. You would need to pull single conductors and join them in an approved junction box before changing to Romex if it's any more than that. It has to do with insulation temperature breakdown and the propensity of the paper within the Romex to wick up moisture.
As for rewiring completely. The main deal is if you plan to stay forever or sell at some point. If you plan to sell, rewire now while you are still redoing the walls and reap more sell-ability when that time comes. Otherwise, I guess your budget will guide you.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Yes, but GFCI breakers are around $50

Personally, I'd figure out a way to re-wire. There is always a way especially if you're willing knock some holes in the walls. You could even run some conduit up the back of a closet or along the stink pipe.

Holy Jebus, holes in the walls are absolutely no problem. I just had the house replumbed with copper last summer and all the friggin patches are still staring me in the face. I haven't even had time to paint them.

Yeh, I guess if worse came to worse I could run Romex in conduit up the side of the house to the attic and take it from there. I'm not an expert at electrical wiring, but I've done some in the past and nobody has died yet. 😉


_______________________________________________________________

And if you want to pull new wire - it's easy. grab your role of E-tape and tape the new wire liberally to the top-end of the old one. Go downstairs and PULL with all your might.

Hopefully it's not stapled or anything inside the walls.

_______________________________________________________________


God only knows how anything is put together in a 100 year old house. It's worth a try, though. I really should rewire the whole damn firetrap. :Q

Don't get me wrong, we love this house after living here for 22 years. It just needs so much upgrading.
:roll:

Romex is not allowed in conduit except for short (usually less than 6ft) distances. You would need to pull single conductors and join them in an approved junction box before changing to Romex if it's any more than that. It has to do with insulation temperature breakdown and the propensity of the paper within the Romex to wick up moisture.
As for rewiring completely. The main deal is if you plan to stay forever or sell at some point. If you plan to sell, rewire now while you are still redoing the walls and reap more sell-ability when that time comes. Otherwise, I guess your budget will guide you.

We don't have plans for ever moving. We hope to retire in less than 10 years and we like our home and the area we live in, not to mention that all our family is here.

So, yeh, we plan on staying here until we rot. 😉

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: redly

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I would be glad to put in a GFCI breaker. Is that legal? Does it cover every outlet downstream?

Yes, but GFCI breakers are around $50

Personally, I'd figure out a way to re-wire. There is always a way especially if you're willing knock some holes in the walls. You could even run some conduit up the back of a closet or along the stink pipe.

And if you want to pull new wire - it's easy. grab your role of E-tape and tape the new wire liberally to the top-end of the old one. Go downstairs and PULL with all your might.

Hopefully it's not stapled or anything inside the walls.

Uhhh, not gonna work. The ceramic feed throughs that guide the wires through the floor joists have a lip that only allow them to be inserted/pulled out from one direction. And they are not always oriented in the same direction. AND, romex type cable is too large to feed though these insulators. Not to mention the fact that there are splices all over the place in knob/tube type wiring.

Basically, it fvcking sucks to retrofit.

Haha, damn. Glad I was only dealing with 1960's era insanity (the only hardware holding the old junk in place was in the basement holding it to the ceiling - from there it was more or less just loose in the walls-ceiling/whatever and threaded through drilled holes where neccessary)

 

[T2T III]

As far as airless paint sprayers go, I'd look at Graco. The Magnum XR-5 would be an excellent sprayer for you. I picked on up off of eBay a little over a year ago for about $150 under Home Depot's price. Mine arrived new and sealed in the box.

However, that model only gets shipped with a basic spray gun/handle. Sure, it works OK, but I've found that buy upgrading to the next level - SR2 or similar model, the performance was much better.

I ended up selling my gear this past summer as I prefer to roll and brush paint on instead. Plus, many homeowners would tend to freak if they saw me arriving with a whole mess of spray gear and taking it into their homes.