Home Powdercoating

[Faceaz]

Thinking converting a metal cabinet into an oven by putting in some burners, powered by a couple of propane tanks - then using a gun from Harbor Freight. Anybody have any experience trying this? Not sure if it's a crazy idea on not.

 

[maxwedge]

All the home brew powder coat ovens I have seen have been made with electric oven parts. I have never seen a gas one, so I wonder if there is an explosion or greater fire risk with gas? If you aren't coating big parts, you can just pick up an old stove somebody threw to the curb or by one off craigslist for a few bucks?

 

[Yellowboat]

propane = water vapor= bad. Just send the wife to the spa for the day... she will never know...





PS don't do that unless you want your nuts cut off while you sleep.

 

[Faceaz]

Thanks - glad I asked, could see moisture being a big problem. I want to do the mid on our outboard, so kitchen oven is out. Got 220 in the garage, that might be the way to go.

 

[Racey]

propane = water vapor= bad. Just send the wife to the spa for the day... she will never know...





PS don't do that unless you want your nuts cut off while you sleep.

Bingo Answer, water vapor = probably not good for baking finish, you want dry heat. electric element.

Get an old used electric cooking oven on craigs list.

 

[Yellowboat]

Thanks - glad I asked, could see moisture being a big problem. I want to do the mid on our outboard, so kitchen oven is out. Got 220 in the garage, that might be the way to go.

Not all 220 is the same... most ranges have 2x 50 amp breakers, I beleave twin 40 is min, but I'd have to get out the code book to know for sure...


<<<<< hires out box work... stringing the wire is easy, but I'd rather have the box on some one else ins/bond be sides my bonding company would not be too happy with me if I was wiring or roofing. The good news is I hate wiring and will not do roofing.

 

[TBI]

propane = water vapor= bad. Just send the wife to the spa for the day... she will never know...





PS don't do that unless you want your nuts cut off while you sleep.

 

[Guest]

Although I dont like it as well, and there is more work involved...Infared lamps can be used to cure powdercoat as well.....read

 

[Faceaz]

Although I dont like it as well, and there is more work involved...Infared lamps can be used to cure powdercoat as well.....read

Cool thing about that is I wouldn't have to take apart the lower unit. Price seems a bit steep though. I think with a Cabinet, couple Electric Elements & Harbor Freight gun, I could set it up for under a couple hundred.

 

[OCMerrill]

Cool thing about that is I wouldn't have to take apart the lower unit. Price seems a bit steep though. I think with a Cabinet, couple Electric Elements & Harbor Freight gun, I could set it up for under a couple hundred.

How big are the parts? A buddy of mine uses an old electric range he bought for $25.00 and uses the gun and powder from Eastwood.

 

[Faceaz]

The biggest parts are the md & lower for an outboard, also got a go kart frame & a bunch of little stuff. I'm thinking a storage cabinet, something like 36w x 24d x 60h with 2 electric elements bolted to the back, a thermostat & a 220 plug. Could probably put it together for about 100 bucks, then 70 for the gun & I'm in business.

 

[OCMerrill]

The biggest parts are the md & lower for an outboard, also got a go kart frame & a bunch of little stuff. I'm thinking a storage cabinet, something like 36w x 24d x 60h with 2 electric elements bolted to the back, a thermostat & a 220 plug. Could probably put it together for about 100 bucks, then 70 for the gun & I'm in business.

I was thinking every OB part would fit in a reg oven but obviously coated assembled...your cabinet idea is where you will need to head I would think.

 

[Classic Daycruiser]

Why not just take it to a powercoating shop. I could recommend one in Phoenix/Tempe that I use. Should cost you no more than $135. Their turn around time seems to be 2-3 days.:hmm

 

[TOBTEK]

sorry.... but sounds like a sure FIRE way to burn the house down. Cheaper, Safer, and less timely just to take it down to the local biz that does this for a living....

 

[Faceaz]

Got plenty of room on the side yard for it - don't plan on doing it indoors. Seems like I always got something to powder coat.

 

[rrrr]

I would look on eBay for a used commercial convection oven. Spending a grand for something that will work seems better than fooling around building something. Safer, too.

Electric convection oven

 

[Crazyhippy]

Where in AZ you @? I've got an old Electric stove you can have (keeps me from Craigslisting it) for the heater elements etc.

All i ask is I can use the Cabinet if needed once in a while

 

[RiverDave]

sorry.... but sounds like a sure FIRE way to burn the house down. Cheaper, Safer, and less timely just to take it down to the local biz that does this for a living....

I gotta go the other way with it. I think it's great that people actually get out and learn the principals of how things work, and how to do it, as opposed to outsourcing everything.

RD

 

[Retired Member]

I gotta go the other way with it. I think it's great that people actually get out and learn the principals of how things work, and how to do it, as opposed to outsourcing everything.

RD

I am going to side with Tob on this one, aRDy. I understand your thinking and I do agree with it, but in this instance trying to turn something into oven, that wasn't designed as an oven, might be rather hazardous. You know me, I'd be the first one to try different/ oddball ideas, just too see if it works, but not in this instance.

I'd opt to paint the mid and lower anyways. Use a good acid etch primer, a good urethane, and your in business. Only time my lower has lost the paint is when I hit that floating branch.

Another thng I have learned with powder coating, if it is applied too thick, with the harmonics that go through the OB's, it will crack.

 

[RiverDave]

I am going to side with Tob on this one, aRDy. I understand your thinking and I do agree with it, but in this instance trying to turn something into oven, that wasn't designed as an oven, might be rather hazardous. You know me, I'd be the first one to try different/ oddball ideas, just too see if it works, but not in this instance.

I'd opt to paint the mid and lower anyways. Use a good acid etch primer, a good urethane, and your in business. Only time my lower has lost the paint is when I hit that floating branch.

Another thng I have learned with powder coating, if it is applied too thick, with the harmonics that go through the OB's, it will crack.

[video=youtube;AHq2_NOBjVs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHq2_NOBjVs[/video]

I saw this kid in russia making investment castings in his driveway with nothing but Plaster, a pretty good sized tin can, some metal that he re-uses and one wicked torch with 2 different heads on it.. For for "firing" and another for general heating.

He did it in his driveway, and took an old casting of bronze and made it into the Hammer and Sickle.

I've seen the Chinese do sand castings in the dirt right there on a shop floor.

This is a powdercoating oven.. Not launching a rocket into space. The temps aren't that hot, and the shit is pretty basic overall. You literally can do this in a kitchen oven.

[video=youtube;gvsZBARVwWg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvsZBARVwWg&feature=related[/video]

(Bitchen vid.. watch it to the end)
[video=youtube;N-aWuOkyjpo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aWuOkyjpo&feature=related[/video]


RD

 

[TOBTEK]

I saw this kid in russia making investment castings in his driveway with nothing but Plaster, a pretty good sized tin can, some metal that he re-uses and one wicked torch with 2 different heads on it.. For for "firing" and another for general heating.

He did it in his driveway, and took an old casting of bronze and made it into the Hammer and Sickle.

I've seen the Chinese do sand castings in the dirt right there on a shop floor.

This is a powdercoating oven.. Not launching a rocket into space. The temps aren't that hot, and the shit is pretty basic overall. You literally can do this in a kitchen oven.

YouTube - Homemade Electric Aluminum Foundry

RD

MAN..... you travel A LOT !

 

[Retired Member]

I saw this kid in russia making investment castings in his driveway with nothing but Plaster, a pretty good sized tin can, some metal that he re-uses and one wicked torch with 2 different heads on it.. For for "firing" and another for general heating.

He did it in his driveway, and took an old casting of bronze and made it into the Hammer and Sickle.

I've seen the Chinese do sand castings in the dirt right there on a shop floor.

This is a powdercoating oven.. Not launching a rocket into space. The temps aren't that hot, and the shit is pretty basic overall. You literally can do this in a kitchen oven.

YouTube - Homemade Electric Aluminum Foundry

RD

An oven is designed to take the temperatures (notice I didn't sya the heat, ). A cabinet is not. I don't see how you can get an even heat with something that is will radiate the heat out of it. I can see it working for small pieces, but bigger pieces will be inconsistant.

 

[TOBTEK]

I gotta go the other way with it. I think it's great that people actually get out and learn the principals of how things work, and how to do it, as opposed to outsourcing everything.

RD

The ONLY reason I say take it to a professional... IS. over the years I've learned its usually less expensive IN THE LONG RUN to take it to the people that do it for a living. Buy the Time he buys all the oven's, electrical parts, a few colors of paint, TIME, Risk, and danger of harming himself and/or his home. every color will have to be purchased in some type of Minimum quantity, and he will have left over inventory. As you know, I've been involved in custom painting for the last 20 years or so. I WOULDN'T want to know how much I've spent $$ learning which paints, reducers,hardeners,clears, guns, Etc to use...and COUNTLESS TIME. Would have been WAY less expensive to take my projects to Ap, Troy Lee, Tag or whom ever over the years.
NOW..... if its because he wants to have the satisfaction of doing it himself...that a whole different story

 

[RiverDave]

MAN..... you travel A LOT !

Saw the Russian thing on the internet.. Saw the china dealio in person at several places!

RD

 

[Yellowboat]

you know every once in awhile HF has thier powder coating ovens on sale for like $250.


I would not expect it to be great, but I'm sure it would work

 

[RiverDave]

The ONLY reason I say take it to a professional... IS. over the years I've learned its usually less expensive IN THE LONG RUN to take it to the people that do it for a living. Buy the Time he buys all the oven's, electrical parts, a few colors of paint, TIME, Risk, and danger of harming himself and/or his home. every color will have to be purchased in some type of Minimum quantity, and he will have left over inventory. As you know, I've been involved in custom painting for the last 20 years or so. I WOULDN'T want to know how much I've spent $$ learning which paints, reducers,hardeners,clears, guns, Etc to use...and COUNTLESS TIME. Would have been WAY less expensive to take my projects to Ap, Troy Lee, Tag or whom ever over the years.
NOW..... if its because he wants to have the satisfaction of doing it himself...that a whole different story

I agree! LOL but the experiences and knowledge are priceless!

RD

 

[TOBTEK]

I AGREE.....As long as he/they dont burn the house down. Like all the smart people do every year while deep frying their ThanksGiving turkeys

 

[Waterjunky]

The key here is to do a little research and do the project right. I have been looking into powder coating as a usefull tool for a future restoration on my 67 mustang.

I already have an old oven set aside. If you want to use a cabinet, do a little research and do it right. That means an all steel cabinet with temp appropriate paint in and on it. I would recomend some type of gasket for the door and some temp appropriate insulation to help stabilize the internal temp. All of this is why I am sticking to an old oven. Anything bigger than that I will probably get done for me.

 

[lebel409]

I'm gonna build an oven for baking epoxy. I found an old bread warmer (24" deep, 36 wide, 6' tall), all stainless, sealed doors, raised 6" off the ground. I need to build a top (where the warmer fan was is missing) and put a fan (for circulation), a thermostat and a heating element. And a thermometer to double check the temps.

I've never done powdercoat...but this would do double duty for me:beer.

Epoxy needs to cure at 325 for 1/2 hour...the problem is...is that solder (brass instruments) gets molten at 360...

Go for it.

 

[akakiller]

http://forum.caswellplating.com/oven-building-forum/

check out the rest of the forum, lotsa good info.

 

[Faceaz]

The ONLY reason I say take it to a professional... IS. over the years I've learned its usually less expensive IN THE LONG RUN to take it to the people that do it for a living. Buy the Time he buys all the oven's, electrical parts, a few colors of paint, TIME, Risk, and danger of harming himself and/or his home. every color will have to be purchased in some type of Minimum quantity, and he will have left over inventory. As you know, I've been involved in custom painting for the last 20 years or so. I WOULDN'T want to know how much I've spent $$ learning which paints, reducers,hardeners,clears, guns, Etc to use...and COUNTLESS TIME. Would have been WAY less expensive to take my projects to Ap, Troy Lee, Tag or whom ever over the years.
NOW..... if its because he wants to have the satisfaction of doing it himself...that a whole different story

I've had allot of stuff powdercoated. Professionals? If those guys can figure it out - I can. Sure they have the right equipment but it's industrial, meant to be used everyday. This will be for the occasional use. Like Dave said it's not really that hot (about 380 F).

Allot of it is for the satisfaction - like to do stuff myself whever I can.

Think I get it from my pops. He has possibly the rarest collection of motor scooters in the US - for sure in the West. Everything from Isettas, Crosleys, Salsburrys, Powels, to Cushmans, Mustangs, etc. He restores every single bit himself, from structural fab, sheetmetal, engines, bodywork, paint, electrical, etc. He wouldn't have it any other way - takes allot of pride in it.

 

[Faceaz]

Here's a few pics of some of his scoots. Only thing he has done is the Chrome & Decals, rest is all out of his garage.

 

[Mondorally]

Cool collection!

 

[RiverDave]

That is an odd hobby to say the least.. Very f'n cool too!

I'd love to see some more pics of his collection in a seperate thread under "Other customs" if you have a chance!

RD

 

[Faceaz]

That is an odd hobby to say the least.. Very f'n cool too!

I'd love to see some more pics of his collection in a seperate thread under "Other customs" if you have a chance!

RD

No doubt, takes a very "unique" guy to be into stuff like that. He collects / restores all kinds of stuff, but he's been pretty hard into the scoots for about 15 years. Need to get a file from mom to start a thread on it. He really likes people to check his stuff out if you guys are ever downtown Huntington, spends everyday in the garage - Justin probably remembers their house off 10th.

 

[SuperDave013]

Flatbroke and Hackjob have a home powdercoating set-up. They use an old oven. I know when they first got it they went nuts and powdercoated everything. lol Flatbroke said as hard as ya try to cover stuff up ..... It makes a pretty big mess.

Don't sweat making a home gas fired oven. Heck, that great big one at the place you work at might have been made by me. NFPA what??? lol
If you are local I could prolly fix you up with enough scraps of the correct insulation to get it done. Look on e bay for a nice flamesafe guard, uv scanner and a few MAXXON burrners. What's to be scared of?? Fock the mid sections, you could do trailers! :thumbsup

 

[Guest]

This is the smaller oven I use at work...I use it for handrails and small parts....We have a larger, walk in oven on order...:thumbsup

 

[Baja Big Dog]

Bear in mind that you have to take into consideration, that after the powder is applied, you can not touch the part, so what ever your baking it in has to be large enough to put the part into without touching it!!