HF Powder Coating

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Picked up a HF Powder Coating System and a 20 dollar toaster oven and thought I would share the results with anyone thinking of picking one up...Thing works pretty good and you cant beat the price.......I know its not welding.....but I figured it can be used on a lot of projects related to this site......did up the carb on my boat since I was rebuilding it anyway. Attached Images
Reply:Hmmm.  Doesn't look horrible at all.  I've been eyeing the Eastwood setup for a while.  If this applies a charge and gets the powder to stick, it's probably totally worth it.Since there's not a lot to technique, the biggest variable for good final results has to be the powder used.  I'm going to have to look this up, didn't know HF sold a kit.
Reply:Results look good. I've always wanted to try some powder coat. Thanks for sharing.
Reply:Mine works great. Get a good powder. The red from HF is awful.
Reply:Powder coating actually takes plenty of technique i.e. spraying the corners and crevices in multiple light coats before spraying the main body of the unit being powder coated, getting the correct and even thickness of powder to get the least amount of orange peel or sagging. There are also many oven techniques such as half backing a coating, removing and spraying extra coats of color, clear metallic top coat etc... smudge and knick touchup during the powder coat process also take plenty of technique because powder does not reflow once it has shelled over. Some powders are best sprayed on a preheated product to achieve immediate powder flow to stick in hard to spray places. I have used both the harbor freight unit and the eastwood unit. They both have their own pros and cons. Theharbor freight electrostatic unit seems to work better and have a more comfortable setup (personal preference) The HF unit has a foot pedal for the activation switch where as the EW unit is a thumb trigger. The harbor freight unit comes with 3 tip sizes and allows for fine tuning. the eastwood unit seems to load up a little less while spraying. They are both great units and the HF unit was on sale for $59 yesterday when I was in.
Reply:I use the Eastwood system and a regular size household oven.  I was well satisfied with the results:Before:After:"G"ConductorX - The Volkswright Shophttp://volkswright.blogspot.com/http://bugwerks.blogspot.com/Miller DVI w/Spoolgun - Miller Plasma Cutter
Reply:Sounds like I just came up with a reason to approve of my wife wanting a new oven.... CRAPThere are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:There is a lot more to it than you guys think. It's like watching someone weld and say it doesn't look hard or I can do it.I had the harbor freight kit and it worked ok for staring. I had the harbor freight oven too. That I liked and wished I didn't sell. That thing can be used as a garage heater too!And you have to use an electric oven, you can't use a gas oven.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThere is a lot more to it than you guys think. It's like watching someone weld and say it doesn't look hard or I can do it.I had the harbor freight kit and it worked ok for staring. I had the harbor freight oven too. That I liked and wished I didn't sell. That thing can be used as a garage heater too!And you have to use an electric oven, you can't use a gas oven.
Reply:I had a sears sprayer that they no longer market it didnt need a compressor like the HF or other models which was nice.  And I used an electric smoker for baking the metal, but since moving out here to Tennessee I have been using a propane smoker to bake on the powder and am using a HF powder unit.  Like anything else it takes practice to get it right, and also there are tons of you tube videos out there for help.hyper therm, esab, miller, a 22,380, 45acp,  223. 308, 12 guage and a 9 mil the 45 is for ccw, a 9mil will kill the body, the 45 will kill the soul.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ron PadillaI had a sears sprayer that they no longer market it didnt need a compressor like the HF or other models which was nice.  And I used an electric smoker for baking the metal, but since moving out here to Tennessee I have been using a propane smoker to bake on the powder and am using a HF powder unit.  Like anything else it takes practice to get it right, and also there are tons of you tube videos out there for help.
Reply:I cant remember the name of the company that picked up the line of guns that are the same ones that sears was bringing in, they are located in the L.A. area I found them using google.  It is a nice concept, consistent with its spray pattern with out needing a compressor.hyper therm, esab, miller, a 22,380, 45acp,  223. 308, 12 guage and a 9 mil the 45 is for ccw, a 9mil will kill the body, the 45 will kill the soul.
Reply:I think WAI is the company you're thinking of?Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire.
Reply:The powder is sprayed at very low pressure any way.  I have used my air brush compressor and my little craftsman compressor with the regulator set down very low.The main thing is cleaning the parts.  I wiped mine down with acetone, let them air dry.  Then pre heated the parts and wiped them again. (after cooling some)  The pre heat drives out any oils in the metal.  Don't touch the bare metal with bare hands after cleaning."G"ConductorX - The Volkswright Shophttp://volkswright.blogspot.com/http://bugwerks.blogspot.com/Miller DVI w/Spoolgun - Miller Plasma Cutter
Reply:^^I always pre heated my parts, but never understood is that the same as out gassing?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I have the eastwood gun, and built a 2x2x4 oven. Its all about prep with powdercoating!Miller ab/p 330Hobart champ 16Miller 140Lincoln Power Mig 255Lincoln SA-250
Reply:I've got one of the Eastwood single-voltage guns.  Here's the procedure that I use:Part Prep-------------------------------------------------- sandblast part to be coated don nitrile/latex gloves and respirator blow off any blast media dust from the part with clean, dry compressed air hang part with steel wire / hook(s) rinse part thoroughly with isoproyl alcohol or acetone (do not wipe) allow all solvent to completely evaporate from the part mask with high-temperature tape as neededMachine Setup-------------------------------------------------- blow off/out gun with clean, dry compressed air attach cup of powder to gun attach air hose to gun (be sure regulator is set at zero) plug in power supply attach ground clip to wire/hook that part is hanging fromCoating-------------------------------------------------- gradually increase air pressure and trigger gun to test (should only need a few psi to get good cloud of powder) trigger gun and depress switch to coat part (do hardest areas first, just like liquid painting) examine part with headlamp or flashlight to ensure complete coverage; touch up as necessaryCuring-------------------------------------------------- set oven to powder cure temperature (see powder packaging or manufacturer's instructions) hang part in oven check part surface with IR gun every few minutes till it reaches cure temperature start cure time once part surface reaches cure temperature; cure for recommended time turn off oven, open door slightly, and allow part to cool before handlingCleanup-------------------------------------------------- unplug power supply remove powder cup from gun clean gun with clean, dry compressed air sweep up waste powder from floor, place in sealed bag, dispose of in trash