Best Home Powder Coating Gun

[TecateDan]

Okay so I have a new project (and like 5 old ones I need to finish) and would like to be able to powdercoat at home. I don't need to do the frame s I have a guy who will do big stuff for me. I want to do engine cases, wheel hubs etc. Will probably buy and old stove so anything that will fit into an oven basically. Lots of guys say eastwood but I read the reviews and those guns sound like real POS and it's the most expensive. Does anyone on here have the HF gun and how do they like it. Looks like good reviews and I have a compressor and really nice water trap so that's not a problem for me. If you got pics of a crazy oven you made I'd love ot see that too. I've included the links ot the 3 guns I was thinking about

1) http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Complete-Portable-Powder-Coating/product-reviews/B004YEAYCW/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

2) http://www.harborfreight.com/10-30-psi-powder-coating-system-94244.html

3) http://www.eastwood.com/dual-voltage-hotcoat-powder-gun.html

[yaegerb]

My buddy and I have put his eastwood gun through its paces. Great gun for the price.

[bmanley]

Here is the one I have used for the past 3 years and it works great!

http://www.caswellplating.com/powder-coating/powder-coating-systems/hv-powder-coating-system.html

[daniel_250r]

i have the eastwood dual voltage, wait for it to come on sale. i got mine for 118 canadian. pretty well built ive had no problems so far. that being said more importantly you need a large compressor, a blast cabinet (it only sticks to metal) and a good dryer for your air line. best of luck!

[bkm]

I have the harbor frieght gun and a natural gas stove converted to run on 20lb propane cylinders. I don't have 220 in my garage so this was the cheapest route. The HF gun works ok but your results will be that of a $80 powder gun. In this case you do get what you pay for. If you search some of my threads you will find some of my work that I have done for other members.

[TecateDan]

Do not that many guys on here powdercoat? I like the info so far but would have thought there would be a lot of guys on hear powder coating and tons of tips tricks and pics??

[tanks350x]

Hey Dan, have you gotten in touch with Dirtcrasher? he has a decent gun.. he did a lot of my stuff for me.. on my X

[wonderboy]

I use the HarborFreight gun. I don't have anything to compare it to, but I can say it is pretty lightweight (read cheap). I've done maybe a dozen or so jobs with it, and it has worked pretty well. Honestly, if you pick it up when it is on sale and use a 20% coupon, I think you can get it for under $50 (can't remember how much it was when I got it). For me, that was cheap enough to give it a try.

I'm not sure what the more expensive guns will give you beyond a more durable product. This gun sprays the powder nicely and my results have been fine. I think in cases where my finish doesn't look quite perfect it has been due to either surface prep or gun technique.

One thing I do notice, and maybe this is where a more expensive gun works better is that it is tough to get the powder into tight corners.

Overall, for very light use, I've been happy with the HF gun.

[wonderboy]

I have the harbor frieght gun and a natural gas stove converted to run on 20lb propane cylinders. I don't have 220 in my garage so this was the cheapest route. The HF gun works ok but your results will be that of a $80 powder gun. In this case you do get what you pay for. If you search some of my threads you will find some of my work that I have done for other members.

Sorry to the OP for the slightly off-topic: I read that natural gas was a no-no. I thought it had somethign to do with the moisture given off during the combustion of the gas. I personally have no idea, just going from what I read on the internet... Do you have any issues? I'm curious to know from a practical standpoint if this works just fine.

[TecateDan]

No I haven't but good call. I'll send him a PM and see what the deal is. Thanks


Hey Dan, have you gotten in touch with Dirtcrasher? he has a decent gun.. he did a lot of my stuff for me.. on my X

[TecateDan]

No worries. I'm actually curios to know too!


Sorry to the OP for the slightly off-topic: I read that natural gas was a no-no. I thought it had somethign to do with the moisture given off during the combustion of the gas. I personally have no idea, just going from what I read on the internet... Do you have any issues? I'm curious to know from a practical standpoint if this works just fine.

[bkm]

Sorry to the OP for the slightly off-topic: I read that natural gas was a no-no. I thought it had somethign to do with the moisture given off during the combustion of the gas. I personally have no idea, just going from what I read on the internet... Do you have any issues? I'm curious to know from a practical standpoint if this works just fine.Most of the big commercial ovens and a lot of the big boys are gas fired. I use propane so I can't comment on natural gas. Most people who say it can't be done have never done it and as long as your not spraying the powder inside the oven there should be no problem.

This was done last night with a HF gun and a gas oven.
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/147054-Powder-Coated-84-250r-Tank-For-Popeye.

[torque]

i use the casswell gun with four voltage settings. it works great on single coat aplications, but harder to get the multi coat metalics just right. i find that the trigger sticks, if you dont dissassemble and clean it after every use.

you cant beat the price i would buy it again

[daniel_250r]

you do not want to use a gas oven for powdercoating just to make this clear

[Dirtcrasher]

A convection oven would be best.....

I have the Caswell or Eastwood gun and it works fine. You have to make a fairly large step up for a high end gun.

I get great results, but IDC what people say, the stuff does chip off. Then again, we aren't riding in the dunes, were riding on rocks and loose soil constantly....

I always buy the extra containers and the gun ends.

Powder is cheap and Craigslist has plenty of free ovens.

[bkm]

you do not want to use a gas oven for powdercoating just to make this clearFirst off do you or have you done it? Because I have and I have the results to prove it. Second tell me how a company that sells new ovens can get away with selling gas fired ovens if there was a possibility of the user blowing themselves up. Seems like one hell of a lawsuit to me.

Show me the negative results you have experienced with using a gas oven.

[TecateDan]

any chance I can borrow that gun to try it out


A convection oven would be best.....

I have the Caswell or Eastwood gun and it works fine. You have to make a fairly large step up for a high end gun.

I get great results, but IDC what people say, the stuff does chip off. Then again, we aren't riding in the dunes, were riding on rocks and loose soil constantly....

I always buy the extra containers and the gun ends.

Powder is cheap and Craigslist has plenty of free ovens.

[daniel_250r]

First off do you or have you done it? Because I have and I have the results to prove it. Second tell me how a company that sells new ovens can get away with selling gas fired ovens if there was a possibility of the user blowing themselves up. Seems like one hell of a lawsuit to me.

Show me the negative results you have experienced with using a gas oven. it says right in the booklet that came with the east wood gun "DO NOT USE A GAS OVEN!" they made the gun im going to take their word over yours

[TecateDan]

Perhaps the people with bad experiances all blew them selves up. I think I'm going electric just out of convinence.


it says right in the booklet that came with the east wood gun "DO NOT USE A GAS OVEN!" they made the gun im going to take their word over yours

[bkm]

it says right in the booklet that came with the east wood gun "DO NOT USE A GAS OVEN!" they made the gun im going to take their word over yours
Like I said before how can companies sell gas ovens and get away with it? If you can find an answer to that or show me some damaging results from proper use I'll stop using mine. Most ATV's say that they shouldn't be operated by anyone under the age of 16 also. Does that mean that if a 15 year old gets on it they will automatically kill themselves? No it means that uneducated irresponsible kids have killed themselves on the bikes so now all of them have the warning to cover their as$es.

Your eastwood gun says that to cover their as$ because of idiots who have sprayed the part inside the oven with a flame going and blew everything to hell. Your eastwood gun is also a hobby gun that is expected to be used by people with little or no experience.

Lastly if you can tell me how a cherry red hot electrical element is any safer than a covered and shielded burner I'll shut up. The flame is not in the open it is under several shields and merely heats the oven box to the specified temp.

I understand your just going off what they say, but you have to realize that all it takes is one stupid person to misuse something then all of a sudden every ambulance chasing lawyer is suing the hell out of everyone so the companies are forced to put warnings and "Dont Do's" on every damn thing.

Use what you want it makes no difference to me. I know it works and is safe because I have real world results. As far as I'm concerned no one has to do what I have suggested. As a matter of fact with all of the idiots on here who think brakes are a luxury and not a necessity, please disregard any info I have given and stick with electric.

[TecateDan]

okay ... let's start another forum for gas vs electric stove! I'm more interested in guns and what powder people are using

[bkm]

No need for another thread its electric all the way. I use Columbia Coatings and have had good results so far and powder365.com is another good source of info and far better than you will get on here and that includes myself.

[Paule]

I bought a HF gun about 6 weeks ago and have been very happy with the results. It does burp a little when you try and spray pointing up, which you will have to do. There are some forums that explain some simple mods to the cup intake tubes that are supposed to make a significant difference, but I have not tried them because I was pleased. I found a free electric oven on a local internet site and even tried the pregnant oven to coat my swingarm. It worked fine and I may develope it a little more. I have bought some powder from Columbia online, but mostly get it from a big local PC company for $10 a lb.

The Pregnant Oven - Held it's own at 400 degrees for 6 20 minute runs.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/paulespo/DSC03165.jpg

Swingarm in the womb.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/paulespo/DSC03169.jpg

The end result, with clear coat.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/paulespo/DSC03204.jpg

[TecateDan]

This is Sweet man thanks for the update!!!!