I currently use a Harbor Freight powder coating gun, but am considering
replacing it with the Sears Craftsman model. I'm thinking of replacing
it because my HF gun occassional surges, putting extra powder on the
pieces I'm spraying; and I get a lot of powder build-up in the barrel,
which gets messy when its time to blow it out. I also seem to get more
overspray with it than I would expect on small-diameter tubing. I find
the Craftsman gun appealing because I wouldn't have to run a noisy air
compressor. Has anyone tried using it, and if so, could they share its
strengths and weaknesses? Thanks.

-Jim

Don't know myself, but it seems like Sears and HF get a lot of their power
stuff from the same places overseas. The unbranded import stuff my supplier
carries often is identical in castings to Sears.
With Sears, if you have to plug it in, it generally sucks.
But, at least you can get parts from Sears, even tho they might be priced
10x that of the equivalent hardware item--which of course you can't use, cuz
Sears changes a tooth or sumpn.
Engineered and designed in America, tho.
--
Mr. P.V.'d
formerly Droll Troll
wrote in message
oups.com...
I currently use a Harbor Freight powder coating gun, but am considering
replacing it with the Sears Craftsman model. I'm thinking of replacing
it because my HF gun occassional surges, putting extra powder on the
pieces I'm spraying; and I get a lot of powder build-up in the barrel,
which gets messy when its time to blow it out. I also seem to get more
overspray with it than I would expect on small-diameter tubing. I find
the Craftsman gun appealing because I wouldn't have to run a noisy air
compressor. Has anyone tried using it, and if so, could they share its
strengths and weaknesses? Thanks.

-Jim

I tested it he
http://www.jamesriser.com/Machinery/...g/Testing.html
Jim

wrote in message
oups.com...
I currently use a Harbor Freight powder coating gun, but am considering
replacing it with the Sears Craftsman model. I'm thinking of replacing
it because my HF gun occassional surges, putting extra powder on the
pieces I'm spraying; and I get a lot of powder build-up in the barrel,
which gets messy when its time to blow it out. I also seem to get more
overspray with it than I would expect on small-diameter tubing. I find
the Craftsman gun appealing because I wouldn't have to run a noisy air
compressor. Has anyone tried using it, and if so, could they share its
strengths and weaknesses? Thanks.

-Jim

Keywords:
In article et, "James Riser" wrote:
I tested it he
http://www.jamesriser.com/Machinery/...g/Testing.html

Great review! How much does the Sears gun usually sell for, and what was
the sale price?

Doug White

James Riser wrote:
I tested it he
http://www.jamesriser.com/Machinery/...g/Testing.html
Jim


Great report . Thanks
Ken Cutt

On 3 May 2006 10:40:14 -0700, wrote:

I currently use a Harbor Freight powder coating gun, but am considering
replacing it with the Sears Craftsman model. I'm thinking of replacing
it because my HF gun occassional surges, putting extra powder on the
pieces I'm spraying; and I get a lot of powder build-up in the barrel,
which gets messy when its time to blow it out. I also seem to get more
overspray with it than I would expect on small-diameter tubing. I find
the Craftsman gun appealing because I wouldn't have to run a noisy air
compressor. Has anyone tried using it, and if so, could they share its
strengths and weaknesses? Thanks.

-Jim

I will second Doug's comments. Crackerjack review and I hope you
won't mind if I borrow your layout the next time I have occassion to
report on something.

Errol Groff

Instructor, Manufacturing Technology
H.H. Ellis Technical High School
613 Upper Maple Street
Danielson, CT 06239

New England Model Engineering Society
www.neme-s.org

I'm modifying my Harbor Freight powder coating system with a internal
blower to replace the air hose. Then I'll only need a electric cord to
use it wherever. The Harbor Freight gun holds ALOT of powder. The
Craftsman looks a bit limited in its capacity. I also can get the
replacement cups (with screw on covers to keep the powder clean and dry)
pretty cheap. Cleaning the gun is a snap as well, especially compared to
a wet solvent paint gun. (YUCK!!)

I had fine results with the Harbor Freight gun. I get my powder at
Columbia Coatings and have never had it clump or deposit unevenly.

Next project is to powder coat a 2HP Johnson outboard pull start cover
and gas tank. Hope to locate some decals before I destroy whats left
with the bead blaster.

Bart

Bart D. Hull

Tempe, Arizona

Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/engine.html
for my Subaru Engine Conversion
Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/fuselage.html
for Tango II I'm building.

Remove -nospam to reply via email.

Errol Groff wrote:
On 3 May 2006 10:40:14 -0700, wrote:

I currently use a Harbor Freight powder coating gun, but am considering
replacing it with the Sears Craftsman model. I'm thinking of replacing
it because my HF gun occassional surges, putting extra powder on the
pieces I'm spraying; and I get a lot of powder build-up in the barrel,
which gets messy when its time to blow it out. I also seem to get more
overspray with it than I would expect on small-diameter tubing. I find
the Craftsman gun appealing because I wouldn't have to run a noisy air
compressor. Has anyone tried using it, and if so, could they share its
strengths and weaknesses? Thanks.

-Jim

I will second Doug's comments. Crackerjack review and I hope you
won't mind if I borrow your layout the next time I have occassion to
report on something.

Errol Groff

Instructor, Manufacturing Technology
H.H. Ellis Technical High School
613 Upper Maple Street
Danielson, CT 06239

New England Model Engineering Society
www.neme-s.org

I'd be interested in knowing the details of how you're planning to put
an internal blower in the gun.

While the HF gun is infinitely better than spray painting, it still has
some things to be desired. I powdercoat mostly round tubing, and seem
to get a substantial amount of overspray that doesn't adhere to the
tubing at moderately high flow rates. I'd guess my transfer efficiency
under these settings is under 50%. At these high flow rates is when I
also get occasional surging,

But since this is the only powdercoating equipment I've ever used, I
don't know what is reasonable to expect. If I am powdercoating, say,
1" round tubing, what would be a reasonable coverage rate (in linear
inches of tubing per minute) and transfer efficiency? As things stand
now, I'm getting a lot of dust settling on everything in my shop, and
am getting the parts together to build an air filtration unit.

-Jim

In a powder plant we expected transfer rates of 70% or better from our
guns 80-85% was common). You will always have some powder that doesn't
adhere because each particle carries the charge differently. I would
highly recommend that you make a powder reclaim unit though. They can be
as simple as a plastic lined box for small parts to the huge downdraft
units with triple filtration that we had in the shop.
Now as to the transfer rate from a HF gun. It will be lower because it
doesn't use a real heavy charge and many times the ground side is not
very good. Oh and FYI if your attempting to coat tight interior corners
and are not getting powder in there, that is normal. It is Faradic
rejection due to the proximity of the negative charged pieces.

--
Steve W.
Life is not like a box of chocolates
it's more like a jar of jalapenos-
what you do today could burn your ass tomorrow!


"Noone special" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'd be interested in knowing the details of how you're planning to put
an internal blower in the gun.

While the HF gun is infinitely better than spray painting, it still
has
some things to be desired. I powdercoat mostly round tubing, and
seem
to get a substantial amount of overspray that doesn't adhere to the
tubing at moderately high flow rates. I'd guess my transfer
efficiency
under these settings is under 50%. At these high flow rates is when
I
also get occasional surging,

But since this is the only powdercoating equipment I've ever used, I
don't know what is reasonable to expect. If I am powdercoating, say,
1" round tubing, what would be a reasonable coverage rate (in linear
inches of tubing per minute) and transfer efficiency? As things stand
now, I'm getting a lot of dust settling on everything in my shop, and
am getting the parts together to build an air filtration unit.

-Jim




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Doug White wrote:
Keywords:
In article et, "James Riser" wrote:

I tested it he
http://www.jamesriser.com/Machinery/...g/Testing.html


Great review! How much does the Sears gun usually sell for, and what was
the sale price?

Doug White


It is reviews like tthis one that make the usenet worthwhile

Doug;
It is currently on sale again - may end this weekend. Check the Sears.com
site or your local store.
Jim


"Doug White" wrote in message
...
Keywords:
In article et, "James
Riser" wrote:
I tested it he
http://www.jamesriser.com/Machinery/...g/Testing.html

Great review! How much does the Sears gun usually sell for, and what was
the sale price?

Doug White

Ok James - is it time to buy the other half a new kitchen stove - and move the 'old'
one to the shop ?

Ah - for a bigger oven.

Martin

Martin Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
NRA LOH & Endowment Member
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member


James Riser wrote:
Doug;
It is currently on sale again - may end this weekend. Check the Sears.com
site or your local store.
Jim


"Doug White" wrote in message
...

Keywords:
In article et, "James
Riser" wrote:

I tested it he
http://www.jamesriser.com/Machinery/...g/Testing.html

Great review! How much does the Sears gun usually sell for, and what was
the sale price?

Doug White




----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
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----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

When it's completed I'll post pics.

I'm using a 12v air mattress inflator pump. (Yep, HF again $6) and a 12v
transformer ($4.00 Fry's electronics) placed in the Powder Coater
cabinet. (It fits SOOOOO nice!) Just need a diode to convert the 12v AC
to DC. (DIODE BRIDGE?)

Low pressure, high volume pump I can trim with a inline variable
restrictor and is tied to the ON/OFF switch. I was thinking of going
fancy and putting the gun wire in the tubing and have it exit near the
handle, but I think I'm going to zip tie it alongside to get it working
ASAP.

Does this count as a copyright or patentable device? Can I sell this
idea to HF? Otherwise it is just cool.

Bart D. Hull

Tempe, Arizona

Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/engine.html
for my Subaru Engine Conversion
Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/fuselage.html
for Tango II I'm building.

Remove -nospam to reply via email.

Noone special wrote:
I'd be interested in knowing the details of how you're planning to put
an internal blower in the gun.

While the HF gun is infinitely better than spray painting, it still has
some things to be desired. I powdercoat mostly round tubing, and seem
to get a substantial amount of overspray that doesn't adhere to the
tubing at moderately high flow rates. I'd guess my transfer efficiency
under these settings is under 50%. At these high flow rates is when I
also get occasional surging,

But since this is the only powdercoating equipment I've ever used, I
don't know what is reasonable to expect. If I am powdercoating, say,
1" round tubing, what would be a reasonable coverage rate (in linear
inches of tubing per minute) and transfer efficiency? As things stand
now, I'm getting a lot of dust settling on everything in my shop, and
am getting the parts together to build an air filtration unit.

-Jim

Nope,
Check your local Craigslist for a free stove. That's how I got my
powdercoating oven and my parts washing dishwasher.

(C'MON we know y'all sneak a few parts that really need a good cleaning
in the dishwasher. I just need one a bit more frequently!)

Just remember to "cook" (50 degress ABOVE your powder bake temp) what
your going to powdercoat after you have sandblasted and washed and put
paint stripper or other solvents on the part. This outgasses the part
and reduces the chance of bubbles in your powdercoating.

If you happen to get a self cleaning oven you can also pop your BBQ
grates in it to clean them as well. Make sure your oven is outside for
this one! The smoke can get quite thick, but smells like steak so the
neighbors don't complain too much!

Lots of stuff you can do if you don't have to worry about cleaning the
oven or dishwasher afterwards!

Bart



Bart D. Hull

Tempe, Arizona

Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/engine.html
for my Subaru Engine Conversion
Check http://www.inficad.com/~bdhull/fuselage.html
for Tango II I'm building.

Remove -nospam to reply via email.

Martin H. Eastburn wrote:
Ok James - is it time to buy the other half a new kitchen stove - and
move the 'old'
one to the shop ?

Ah - for a bigger oven.

Martin

Martin Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
NRA LOH & Endowment Member
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member


James Riser wrote:
Doug;
It is currently on sale again - may end this weekend. Check the
Sears.com site or your local store.
Jim


"Doug White" wrote in message
...

Keywords:
In article et,
"James Riser" wrote:

I tested it he
http://www.jamesriser.com/Machinery/...g/Testing.html

Great review! How much does the Sears gun usually sell for, and what
was
the sale price?

Doug White




----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet
News==----
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Newsgroups
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Bart D. Hull wrote:
When it's completed I'll post pics.

I'm using a 12v air mattress inflator pump. (Yep, HF again $6) and a 12v
transformer ($4.00 Fry's electronics) placed in the Powder Coater
cabinet. (It fits SOOOOO nice!) Just need a diode to convert the 12v AC
to DC. (DIODE BRIDGE?)

Most RadioShacks sell Bridge Rectifiers in their component area. Its
funny because my local Radio Shack in the same little minimall as my
local HF and have gone between the 2 for many projects.