Pneumatic Plastering Gun with 3 Lockable Nozzles
This pneumatic plastering sprayer features 3 parallel lockable dispersion nozzles for wall rendering or reinforcement filling. This Tenka plastering tool offers numerous advantages and versatile applications.
Product details
TENKA TK-31N is a pneumatic mortar spraying equipment, specifically developed for rendering walls and vertical surfaces. The device utilizes three spray nozzles, each of which can be deactivated separately. In this way, the working configuration can be modified according to the plastered surface, the material used, and the compressor capacity.
The shape of the device was designed for practical use on the construction site. The vertical position of the handle allows supporting the hopper and the mortar in a way that is as natural as possible for the arm, providing the operator with good control over the application direction and reducing uncomfortable positions during longer work sessions.
Pneumatic system with three independent nozzles
Unlike a single-outlet sprayer, TK-31N distributes the mortar through three nozzles placed side by side. This configuration increases the area covered with each movement and is particularly suitable when large vertical surfaces need to be plastered.
However, it is not mandatory for all three nozzles to operate permanently. The system allows choosing the number of active nozzles, so the gun can be configured for one, two, or three nozzles. The operator can thus choose between a wider application area and a more concentrated jet.
Adjusting the number of nozzles using locking caps
To deactivate the nozzles that are not needed, dedicated locking caps are used. These are quickly mounted and do not require wrenches or other tools for tightening. By mounting the cap, both the path of that specific nozzle and the orifice through which the compressed air participates in the mortar projection are blocked.
This solution makes it possible to quickly change the working mode. On a large wall, all three nozzles can be kept active, while in narrow areas, when filling certain gaps, or when a more precise application is required, you can work with only one or two nozzles.
The possibility of selecting the nozzles is also useful when the available compressor cannot provide the air flow required for the simultaneous operation of the entire system. Instead of changing the device, the number of nozzles used can simply be reduced.
Lightweight aluminum hopper for approximately 5 kg of mortar
The mortar is loaded into a metal hopper made of aluminum. It can hold approximately 5 kg of material, a quantity comparable to about three full hand trowels. The volume of the hopper provides enough material for an efficient application rate without excessively loading the device during handling.
At the top, the hopper has a rim of approximately 1.5 cm. This helps keep the mortar inside when the gun is moved or tilted to follow different areas of the wall.
Working position designed for vertical plastering
When spraying mortar on walls, the operator must permanently support both the weight of the gun and the material in the hopper. For this reason, on the TK-31N, the main handle is positioned vertically, so that the device can be held in a natural position during application.
This geometry facilitates moving the gun across the wall surface and allows for easier control of the spraying distance and direction. The construction thus aims not only for application speed but also for the maneuverability of the device in daily use.
Quick coupling to the compressed air system
The TK-31N operates with compressed air, and the nozzle supply is manually controlled via the trigger. The hose connection is made through a universal "male" pneumatic quick coupler, which simplifies both connecting the device to the compressor and disconnecting it after finishing the work.
By pressing the trigger, compressed air is directed to the pneumatic system and contributes to driving and dispersing the mortar through the active nozzles.
CNC machined pneumatic manifold
The air distribution system is made of hard polyurethane, a material chosen to create a robust yet lightweight component. At the points where the nozzles and locking caps are mounted, threaded metal inserts are used.
The manifold is produced through precision CNC machining. This process allows for the controlled execution of internal channels and functional zones through which air is distributed to each nozzle.
The assembly consisting of the pneumatic manifold, the aluminum hopper, and the support handle is designed for the specific environment of a construction site, where the device must be solid enough for repeated use without becoming unnecessarily heavy during handling.
What compressor is required for the TK-31N?
The performance of a pneumatic mortar gun directly depends on the amount of air the compressor can provide. It is not enough to just reach a certain pressure: the air flow required for each active nozzle must also be ensured.
As a reference for spraying mortar at a distance of at least 30 cm, a minimum pressure of 3 bar per active nozzle is required, along with a flow rate of at least 80 l/min per active nozzle.
The air requirement increases with the number of nozzles used. If a compressor cannot maintain the necessary conditions when all three nozzles are operating, one or two of them can be closed using the dedicated caps. Thus, the same TK-31N can be configured according to the available pneumatic installation.
Applications for walls and other vertical surfaces
TENKA TK-31N is primarily intended for spraying mortar on vertical surfaces. The three-nozzle construction makes it suitable both for covering standard walls and for works where the material must be injected or sprayed over different types of reinforcements.
Depending on the material used and the specifics of the job, the gun can be used for:
- applying plaster on masonry and walls made of brick, AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete), stone, clay, and other compatible substrates;
- spraying mortar over welded wire mesh and reinforced structures, including creating or filling the walls of swimming pools;
- covering walls built from straw, natural materials, or structures that require filling a reinforcement;
- applying the scratch coat (spatter coat) before plastering, to prepare the substrate and promote adhesion;
- localized filling of surfaces or spaces by using a single nozzle to obtain a concentrated jet;
- creating decorative surfaces by loading material and subsequent shaping, including finishes with a natural stone appearance;
- spraying finish coats, skim coats, or other compositions compatible with the operating principle of the pneumatic gun.
From rapid coverage to concentrated application
One of the features that differentiates the TENKA TK-31N is that the same gun can be used in multiple configurations. With three active nozzles, a wider spray area is obtained, suitable for rapid progress on large surfaces. By closing one nozzle, the device can operate with two outlets, and for localized work, the material can be sprayed through a single nozzle.
This adaptability allows the operator to choose the configuration based on the job, without needing multiple guns for different situations. At the same time, the possibility of reducing the number of nozzles helps correlate air consumption with the performance of the available compressor.
Mechanized mortar application instead of manual throwing
Using the TK-31N allows the mortar to be pneumatically sprayed onto the substrate, instead of being repeatedly thrown manually with a trowel. The operator can fill the hopper, position the gun at the appropriate distance from the wall, and distribute the material over the work area by pulling the trigger.
For large surfaces, the three nozzles allow covering a greater width with each pass. In areas requiring precision, reducing the number of active nozzles provides better control over where the material is sprayed. In this way, the device can contribute to shortening the time required for mortar application and increasing the productivity of plastering works.
What do you receive with the TENKA TK-31N?
The standard package includes the TENKA TK-31N pneumatic plastering gun, equipped with three nozzles for wall application, as well as the caps necessary for individual nozzle blocking. Also included are the invoice, the warranty certificate, and the technical instructions for using the device.
Depending on the job requirements, the configuration can be supplemented with additional accessories available separately. Upon request and subject to stock, for an additional cost, pneumatic hoses of the desired length or spare part sets including pneumatic nozzles and locking caps can be provided.
Questions, comments and opinions
Questions and experiences shared by customers and users.
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Use classic mortar (multibat with sand or cement + sand + lime) with coarse sand .. 0.4-0.5 (from a gravel pit).
Tip: if you use welded mesh or steel of any kind, do not use lime in the mortar composition. make the plastering only with sand and cement. 6 shovels of sand + 1 of cement
So if you work at a relaxed pace in 2 people, we assure you that a compressor with a 50 liter tank, 8 bar pressure, and a minimum intake flow of 270 liters/minute is sufficient. The recommendation is for it to have 2 pistons rather than one.
You have here a video from one of our customers with a 50 liter / 8 bar compressor with a single piston.
Here is here also a compressor model with 2 pistons.
If you work in a team (one loads continuously, another levels with the straightedge, another carries bags, another mixes, etc.), the 50 liter compressor will drop the pressure to 5-6 bar and will not be able to keep it constant at 7-8 bar as it should.
In that case, a 100 liter compressor is necessary because its motor has the capacity to charge the tank faster at a constant pressure of 7-8 bar.
The nozzles of the plastering guns are calculated very precisely to fit within the parameters of these compressors. If I am not mistaken, the nozzle diameter is 2.35mm.
If you don't add enough cement, the mortar will bounce off the wall and won't set. You'll lose it on the floor.
If you add too much cement, the mortar becomes too sticky and hard to throw even with a hand trowel.
If you use classic plaster (sand + cement + lime), use the 6+1+1 ratio (6 shovels of sand, 1 shovel of lime, 1 shovel of cement) or a multiple (12+2+2). If you have rebar in the plaster for reinforcement, do not use lime in the mortar recipe because the iron will oxidize and you will have a rust stain that will always come to the surface of the wall.
TIPS:
- DO NOT leave the device in the water you washed it in because the cement water will penetrate the device and can harden.
- After washing the device, leave it in clean water during your work break.
- When unscrewing the nozzles to clean them, make sure the plastering machine is washed and clean.
- Also buy the pack of spare nozzles.
Soon we will update the models with a filter to stop all the dirt from the hose at the quick coupling of the plastering machine and to get rid of cleaning the nozzles. It is being worked on and will be released on the market as soon as possible. The filter will be placed at the entrance of the trigger's quick coupling and will retain any impurity in it, keeping the nozzles clean at all times.
I built a garage, and not being a professional, the walls weren't exactly straight, so I had to apply quite a thick layer when plastering. This is how it looks at the end: PHOTO
It also works with Mp75 but we only recommend classic plaster and not mechanized.
Approximately 400 sqm per day are applied by one person. I want to mention that on the first day we used very fine sand and it went very poorly. I thought the plastering machine was at fault. Then we switched to coarse-grained sand (0.4m) and it works superbly. I'll make a video.
So, for a compressor to work without issues in a hobby setting (meaning if you are plastering your own house at a relaxed pace), you need a minimum intake flow rate of 250 l/min, a pressure of 8-9 bar (never exceed 9 bar), and an air tank of at least 50 liters.
Ideally, it should have 2 pistons instead of just one. For 2-piston engines, the flow rate is double (400l/min) and the engine manages to fill the tank much faster and sometimes take a break.
If you work in a professional setting, meaning with a team (one at the concrete mixer, another loading, another using the straight edge), you need a compressor with a 100-liter tank, the rest of the parameters remain the same (flow rate, pressure, etc.).
If you already have a smaller compressor and do not wish to invest in a more powerful one, you can use the Tenka machine with only 2 nozzles. You block the rest of the nozzles; some blocking caps are included in the package. With 2 nozzles, the machine loads up to 2 cm of plaster thickness in a single second if you hold it in position. So it is quite fast even with 2 nozzles. The excess pressure will be released from under the gun trigger.
The ones with 3 nozzles will be discontinued soon.
Tip: buy at least 15 - 20 meters of hose to keep the compressor at a distance. The noise of the compressor causes irritation and stress after a day on the construction site.
The maximum recommended length of the hose is 50m. If you exceed this length, a half-second delay will occur from the moment you pull the gun trigger because the hose will equalize its internal pressure with that of the compressor tank. And the volume of the hose is already large at a length of over 50m, which causes the delay to appear. The hose must be fitted at one end with a male quick coupler (approx. 4 lei) and at the other end with a female coupler (12 lei). Or you can find it already fitted in Dedeman (approx. 50 lei) So:
- Inner diameter 8mm
- Hose length minimum 15m.
- At one end a male quick coupler and at the other end a female coupler example : here
The most commonly used and cost-effective mortar: link mortar
Cheap compressor (hobby) but tested by us on the 3-nozzle model: link compressor
Use sand with a grain size as large as possible: 0.3 - 0.4 mm
Other mortar recipes can be found in the instructions in the package. Good luck with your work and God bless.