newbie question about HF texture sprayer

[bimmerZ5]

I have this texture sprayer from HF:

http://www.harborfreight.com/texture-paint-spray-gun-66103.html

I'm completely new to spraying texture on drywall so I've got a few pieces of cardboard I'm about to experiment with to learn before I do it on the actual ceiling/walls I'm trying to repair. But I just noticed that once I hook the air into the sprayer, the air is shooting out the front nozzle immediately. Is this normal? I can see how the trigger mechanism allows the mud content to flow down in front of the air nozzle, but is it normal for the air to constantly be shooting out? I would have thought the air would open along with the trigger mechanism?

In reading the reviews at HF's website, one reviewer added an air regulator to this tool in order to shut off the air at the tool as needed. This suggests to me that what I'm seeing is normal, but I'm not 100% sure and wanted to ask if this is how texture sprayers work? Or do I have a defective one?

Thanks in advance for any input...

 

[bimmerZ5]

anyone?

 

[Stephenw]

It's normal.

 

[mdlbldrmatt135]

......

 

[bobemmerich]

I have the one sold at HD, made by Wallboard Tools (and it looks like like I overpaid-LOL). Mine also did that, so I believe its normal. I used mine on my ceilings and although not a fan of the "popcorn" I love the way it turned out. On one side I used 2 different patterns and I think it came out awesome. Best part is, the wife also likes it. We never thought we would, but it actually looks good.

 

[bimmerZ5]

It's normal.

Normal

I have the one sold at HD, made by Wallboard Tools (and it looks like like I overpaid-LOL). Mine also did that, so I believe its normal. I used mine on my ceilings and although not a fan of the "popcorn" I love the way it turned out. On one side I used 2 different patterns and I think it came out awesome. Best part is, the wife also likes it. We never thought we would, but it actually looks good.

thanks guys for the response. i'm a bit reassured so i guess i'll just go ahead and practice my texturing. mainly i'm fixing a few patches in the ceilings.... for the walls, we decided to smooth it out and skim coated the old texture. we quite like the smooth wall but now we wonder why we so rarely see homes with smooth walls? (it's quite nice)

 

[MustangRick]

I just bought one of these on sale for $14. It is the third one I have used and I think it is the best design. I figured for the price I would just use it and throw it away, but I think it will last a long time. Quite a bit better then the Stanley one that has a rubber bladder/diaphram in it that us hard to clean. This one was also really easy to clean.

It did freak out my wife when she connected the air line and the air was already coming out.