Powder coating has always interested me, but I've never had (made) time to explore it. This thread is renewing that interest and something will have to be done about it. On larger parts, I thought of making an oven from sheet insulation ( rated for the temps of course). The heat source still puzzles me. Would some type of infrared lamps get hot enough to cure the coating?
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Has anyone tried POWDERCOATING parts?
- Thread starter Nelson
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I have been happy with the HF powder system. You can't go too far wrong for $60. I too have been using a large toaster oven which, which as others have commented, is kinda small and limiting. I recently bought a fairly large lab oven from a government auction for $50. After replacing a couple of fuses, it seems to work fine so I plan to use that for larger projects. I have been using mostly wrinkle finish and I find that, especially for thick parts that are slow to heat up, I get the best results by preheating the part before powder coating. The powder is very fine and will get everywhere if you're not careful.
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09kevin
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I have the Eastwood dual voltage powder coat system also. I use an oversize toaster oven 16”X16”X8” I am very happy with it so far, It takes a little practice but isn’t too hard if you read the instructions :whistle: I need to build a spray booth now.
This part is 12" in diameter.
Kevin
This part is 12" in diameter.
Kevin
Nelson,
I've had the Harbor Freight unit for about 5 years and it actually works. The black powder they sell is matte black not gloss though.
For an oven, I have an electric industrial oven that was being thrown out at work. It still worked...
As for the quality, the plastic coating gun is a bit cheesy and is easily broken. But it does work. You do need a very dry air supply.
What did you have in mind for an oven?
John
Yes Eastwood actually sells infrared lamps for that very purpose. The downside is that you have to move the lamp around the part because the heat is very directional and also you have to take temps of the part periodically with an infrared thermometer. Which seems to be more trouble than its worth IMO.
For a home built oven you could use some heating elements scavenged from a home oven or 2 or 3, depending on how big the oven would be. You could probably also scavenge the the thermostat controls from the ovens also.
I'm not sure what kind of "sheet insulation" you're referring to.
If i were to build one I'd probably weld a box out of steel sheet and wrap it with rock wool to keep the heat inside.
My experience with powder coating involves small parts and fishing lures.
I built a coater out of 4" PVC pipe and air, that keeps the powder fluffed for the dipping process. I use a toaster oven for the small parts and the wife's oven for bigger parts.
I have a HF powder gun but have never used it.
I built a coater out of 4" PVC pipe and air, that keeps the powder fluffed for the dipping process. I use a toaster oven for the small parts and the wife's oven for bigger parts.
I have a HF powder gun but have never used it.
When I was building switch gear for the railroad, we used a foil covered fire resistant insulation that came in 4x8 sheets. I don't know if it is commercially available, but a metal cabinet wrapped in insulation should serve the same purpose.
Reds, I would be interested in your process.
"I built a coater out of 4" PVC pipe and air, that keeps the powder fluffed for the dipping process."