Graco 3400 vs. 3900

I was looking on the graco website and was wondering what everybody thinks about the smaller machine. Once again I am looking at specializing in jobs of a smaller nature such as banks and small businesses. Around 50 stalls or maybe 100 tops and smaller. Also when you buy one of these things what kind of tech support do you get. A demo by somebody who knows what they are doing would be great. I am going to price machines this week and want to know a little before jumping right in. How much time to get proficient with one of these things. As always thanks alot.

After having both machines, I would stay with the 3900. It is more versitale than the 3400 and you can expand to a line driver with the 3900. The line driver does not fit on a 3400. The 3400 is a good second machine and works fine. The 3400 will do bigger than a 4 inch line with different tip sizes. The 3400 will run up to a *27 tip. Jim

There are lots of not too apparent benefits of being able to run two guns at all times. Go with the 3900.

Quoting CTfpc, July 09, 2006 (that post is not in this thread):

Quote from: jpanz on July 09, 2006, 12:24:22 PM The 3400 will do bigger than a 4 inch line with different tip sizes. The 3400 will run up to a *27 tip. Jim As i understand it. A .027 tip should be used to paint a line with the max width of 4 inches. Graco Tip Overveiw. The first three #'s/letters are descriptions of the tip. The next number in this case would be a 2 (.27) is to be doubled to come up with the line width The last 2 are the orfice size. correct me if i am wrong i very well could be. The machine will run a 327,427, or 627. The first number is the degree of cut, 327 will do a 3-5 inch, 427 will do 5-8 inch and a 627 will do 8-12. The last two numbers is the oriface size. basically the small the number the less paint. Larger number more paint. Or just ask George at your office since your website in Franklin Paint Jim

jpanz wrote on Jul 9, 2006:Go to #4

As i understand it. A .027 tip should be used to paint a line with the max width of 4 inches.

Check out the "What do the tips sizes mean" page here: http://parkinglotplanet.com/Helpful%20stuff.htm

I have had the pleasure of owning both sizes of machines. I staretd with the small guy a few years ago, its size was sufficient for about a year, then I went to the 3900, and now have a 200HS. I use the small guy for Blue. The 3900 for white, and the 200HS for yellow. Yelloy is the primary color in our area. The larger the machine the less pump strokes to push the paint. Therefore less vibration, a smoother line, less wear and tear Etc. I have to repack the pump on the little guy more often than the big guys. The bigger guys though harder to push are more stable and givve a nicer line over rougher terrain. You can put a glass bead dispenser on larger machines but not the small one. The larger ones prime easier with a higher fluid volume and larger check balls. The little check balls in the smaller machines can stick open with smaller impurities. I dont want to spend your money, but the difference in price is the profit on just a few small jobs. If you ever did decide to sell a machine, the 3900 is way easier to sell than a 3400. Columbia paint in my area is offering a 3900 with a free 2nd gun for $4599. If your credit is good you can usually negotiate 6 mo 0 interest terms, and sometimes up to 12 mo terms. By the way, I tried the Speeflo/Titan machines. I'd recommend not wasting your time.

I started with a 3400 after renting a 5900 all the time - the 3400 stood me in good stead (still use it for blue) for years and the only thing I missed was the 2 gun setup. It does have to be repacked more often but if finances are a critical factor the 3400 will be a good starter machine for you - after a good season you should be able to afford a larger machine and maybe a pusher as well. That extra $1700-$1800 was well spent on stencils, equipment, etc, when I bought the 3400.

Take the long view when buying a striper. Buy some excess capacity and strength for future growth. I've never used one, but the 3400 looks to be a machine that is perfect for those people who rarely stripe or for companies that do their own work in house. The 3900 can handle anything you will throw at it in your first years of striping, and is hands down the best all round machine for a serious striper. You will turn out a much better product with a 3900....

Thanks for all the opinions. I believe in buying the right tools and toys the first time. How about the learning curve? Take a long time to catch on or are these things pretty user friendly?

you can get decent after a little practice - make sure you read the archives here and you will pick up all kinds of tips and tricks. It takes a while to get good and fast but you can be proficient with some practice. Fill the machine with water and practice a while before you put paint in it. Good Luck!