[mikeweb]

Just wondering if there was any difference between these two types in terms of performance/reliability.

[oldred]

In the first place that bottom one is NOT a regulator in spite of what those rascals try to call it! It is nothing more than a choke valve that restricts the flow and NOTHING more, it does not "regulate" anything and IMO they should not even be allowed to call them regulators! It is a piece of junk that will restrict the flow but pressure will rise and fall with the line pressure. The one on top will control pressure and maintain a relatively constant output pressure setting as long as the inlet pressure does not fall below the output setting. Don't even consider one of those "choke valves" as they are next to useless but the diaphragm type like the one on top is very handy and I have one for just about every tool I have, on ALL of my paint guns.

The ones at Harbor Freight are dirt cheap and seem to do a good job.

[mikeweb]

Hmmm...... very interesting!!

How about these in the pic bellow, is the top one a proper one(the package states that its for paint guns however im not so sure)? or is it same as the bottom just diff looking?

Wonder why cheaper HF guns come with proper regulators while Devilbiss, ect.. come with cheap "choke valves"

[oldred]

Nether of those are regulators and both are simply shut-off valves with gauges. With either if the pressure fluctuates in the inlet the output will do so accordingly. I have often wondered why DeVillbiss supplies those things and if you were to try both types I think you probably would too. The diaphragm type actually does regulate pressure so you get a steady flow regardless of line pressure (as long as inlet pressure is higher than the output setting) while the "choke valve" will decrease or increase both volume and pressure with line pressure changes. When trying to use one of these with a paint gun you will have full line pressure until you pull the trigger then you will get a spurt of high pressure before it falls off to whatever it is set for but even that will change depending on line variations, a real PITA when trying to do misting! Those junky things really are Little more than a kink in the hose with a gauge attached and in fact with a bit of practice you could actually crimp the hose and do the same thing, Honestly they are nothing more than a ball valve with a gauge attached.

[mikeweb]

Thanks for the great info, and here I thought it was the other way around!

Time to find some proper regulators, to bad they are bulkier.