If you're a regular reader of Woodsmith, you've probably noticed that we often use spray-applied finishes on our projects.
There are two big reasons.
First, spraying can produce an even coat without leaving brush marks behind. Second, it's fast — an important consideration when you're finishing furniture and other projects on a regular basis. The tradeoff is equipment. If you want to spray finishes, you need a suitable spray system.
One system we've put to work in the shop is the Fuji D6 HVLP Sprayer.
Six-Stage HVLP Turbine
The “6” in D6 refers to the system's six-stage turbine.
The turbine settings can be changed at the control panel, allowing you to adjust its output to suit different finishing materials.
Thin liquids such as dyes and stains don't require the same setup as heavier coatings. At the other end of the range, the upper stages provide the output needed for materials such as catalyzed lacquer or latex paint.
That adjustability is one of the D6's strongest features. A woodworking shop may use several different types of finish, so being able to tailor the turbine output makes the system more versatile.
For the coating you're using, follow Fuji's current setup recommendations along with the finish manufacturer's instructions regarding thinning, viscosity, and spray application.
T70 Bottom-Feed Spray Gun
Fuji offers different spray-gun options for its turbine systems.
For our setup, we chose the T70 bottom-feed spray gun.
The deciding factor was capacity. The T70 holds one quart, which makes sense for the furniture and cabinet projects we're typically finishing.
A larger cup means fewer interruptions to refill the gun while you're working around a larger project.
Adjust the Fan Pattern
The T70 also gives you control over the spray pattern.
Its fan adjustment allows the pattern to be tailored to the surface you're spraying. Instead of using a broad spray on every component, you can narrow the pattern when working on smaller parts. The gun also provides material-volume adjustment.
Together, these controls make it easier to match the amount and width of the spray to the project rather than wasting finish beyond the edges of the workpiece.
A Long Hose Keeps the Turbine Out of the Way
Another feature we appreciated in use was the amount of hose supplied with the setup.
With 31' of hose described in this system, there's enough reach to work around a project without continually moving the turbine.
That might sound like a secondary feature, but it makes a difference once you're in the middle of spraying a larger cabinet or piece of furniture.
You can concentrate on spraying instead of stopping to reposition equipment.
Remote Turbine Control
The system also includes a turbine remote.
That means you don't have to walk back to the turbine every time you want to start or stop it.
Again, it's a relatively simple convenience, but it's one that's easy to appreciate when you're moving around a large project with the spray gun and hose.
Adjustable Spray Head
The spray head provides another useful adjustment when working your way around furniture.
The adjustable head allows you to change the spray orientation for horizontal or vertical work without forcing your wrist into an awkward position.
Combined with the fan and volume adjustments, this gives you considerable control at the gun.
Fuji D6 Features at a Glance
How Did the Fuji D6 Perform?
In use, the turbine provided the power we needed across its available settings, while the adjustments at the T70 gun made it easy to tailor the spray to the workpiece.
The combination of adjustable turbine output, fan-pattern control, material-volume adjustment, a long hose, and remote operation is what makes the system stand out.
For our shop, the one-quart T70 also makes sense because so much of our finishing involves furniture and cabinet-sized projects.
Who Is the Fuji D6 For?
A system like this represents more of an investment than brushes or aerosol finishes, so it makes the most sense for a woodworker who expects to spray regularly.
If you're frequently finishing furniture, cabinets, or other larger projects, the additional capacity and adjustability become much easier to justify.
If you're only spraying an occasional small project, you may not need everything the D6 provides. But for a shop looking to make spraying a regular part of its finishing process, the D6 offers a useful combination of power, capacity, range, and control.
Our Take on the Fuji D6
The feature that defines the D6 is versatility.
The six-stage turbine lets you tailor its output to different finishing materials. The T70 provides the capacity we want for furniture work, while its fan and volume controls allow the spray to be adjusted to different parts of the project.
Add the long hose and remote control, and you have a system that's designed to let you concentrate more on applying the finish and less on managing the equipment.
For woodworkers ready to invest in an HVLP system for regular furniture and cabinet finishing, the Fuji D6 is well worth considering.
New to HVLP Spray Finishing?
Choosing a good spray system is only the beginning. Learn how HVLP spraying works, how to match the spray pattern to the workpiece, and how different finishing materials affect your setup.
LEARN HVLP SPRAY FINISHING → Get Better Wood Finishes with an HVLP Sprayer
