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-Comp...owViewpoints=1

2) http://www.harborfreight.com/10-30-p...tem-94244.html

3) http://www.eastwood.com/dual-voltage...owder-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...ng-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/showthr...nk-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.