craftsman powder coating system

[partsman]

does anybody have one, or use one? i walked into a sears for the first time since the coupon ordeal and that was the first thing that caught my eye. i have been looking them for a while, at differnt places
is it worth the $189.99 or save my money for better unit

 

[billymade]

We've had them at the store but no one buys it and its just collecting dust! I have a hard time believing it is anywhere close to commercial grade coatings or professionaly applied "power coating" which requires special equipment, correctly prep and a heating process to cure the "paint". Sounds like a cool idea but who can say what the results would be?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Read on another board about someone who bought one when they first came out.

Wife caught him in the kitchen, using the stove...........

She got a new oven, and he went to HF and bought their powdercoating oven (since no NG in his garage).

No personal experience, but I laugh when remembering the story.

 

[billymade]

You might want to read some "real world" usage reviews at the sears websites from people who bought and used the tool: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00917288000P?vName=Tools
Click on the tab that says "reviews" they're are 10 of them so far.

 

[Jay H 237]

I don't know anything about the Sears one but I have owned the Eastwoods one (the non-pro model which is cheaper than the Sears) for 3 years now and it is good. Eastwoods has a good powder selection too.

I have powder coated all the small parts while detailing the engine compartment in my 68 Mustang, pulleys, brackets, ect. I clean all the parts to bare metal in my blast cabinet before the powdercoating. Prep is a big part of using any coating and it has held up in my car for the last few years with no problems.

You need an electric oven, not a gas one, to cure the powder. I also preheat the parts before coating them, not hot but just warm them up. I bake them at high heat after the coating is applied.

 

[LoneGunman]

I have the horrible freight powder coating gun and it does everything I need it to do. I use it mainly for firearms. I built a curing oven, from what I've read the HF ones are a good amount better than the Cman ones and a lot less money.

 

[LoneGunman]

"You need an electric oven, not a gas one, to cure the powder"

You do not need an electric oven, gas is fine and is commonly used.

 

[partsman]

i have 2 electric ovens i can use thats not a problem. i need it for small stuff, motor parts nothing bigger than a 21" rim .
i know to stay away from hf ones.
thanks for the heads up i didnt see that reveiw page. i didnt think to look online about it
jay h any chance you have a link to the model you got.
i want something that will last and maybe make some money with, the only guy who is good around me is very expensive and is about 2 month behind.

 

[LoneGunman]

"i know to stay away from hf ones."

The HF one will do a much better job than the craftsman one will if the reviews I read are correct.

Heres a link to a DIY powder coating and other type coatings site. Enough info to keep you busy for weeks and they sell the guns and powders, also have many reviews.

http://forum.caswellplating.com/

 

[partsman]

i worked with a guy who tried the hf ones and he had some trouble with it.
i know i bash harbor freight, but out of all the stuff i have bought there i think i have the anti fatige mats an some of the air tools

 

[Jay H 237]

jay h any chance you have a link to the model you got.

This is the gun I have by itself
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/...ODUCT&iMainCat=459&iSubCat=460&iProductID=412

I actually bought it as part of this kit
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/...DUCT&iMainCat=459&iSubCat=460&iProductID=5572

They do have a pro gun too but for my home use I've been happy with the other one and I don't know anyone who's used this one to know how it is and if it's worth it
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/...DUCT&iMainCat=459&iSubCat=460&iProductID=2814

I buy all my powders through them. I'm restoring a 68 Mustang with a 289 to a stock look so I've stuck to the blacks, grays, and blues. I have never used any of the iridescent, mirrors or other "special" colors so I can't comment on them. The colors I've used have been great. Here's a link to thier colors and you can go through the subcatorgories too.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1229&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=844&iSubCat=1229

 

[Stuey]

This is the gun I have by itself
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/...ODUCT&iMainCat=459&iSubCat=460&iProductID=412

I actually bought it as part of this kit
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/...DUCT&iMainCat=459&iSubCat=460&iProductID=5572

They do have a pro gun too but for my home use I've been happy with the other one and I don't know anyone who's used this one to know how it is and if it's worth it
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/...DUCT&iMainCat=459&iSubCat=460&iProductID=2814

I buy all my powders through them. I'm restoring a 68 Mustang with a 289 to a stock look so I've stuck to the blacks, grays, and blues. I have never used any of the iridescent, mirrors or other "special" colors so I can't comment on them. The colors I've used have been great. Here's a link to thier colors and you can go through the subcatorgories too.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1229&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=844&iSubCat=1229

Look what you've done! Now I have to reorganize my wish list! (hehe)

I wonder if aluminum can be powder coated instead of anodized... I think low temp curing is required.

 

[jimvannoy]

A fried of mine has the one from HF and it works just fine. He has used it to coat lots of parts.

 

[a390st]

I would highly recommend anodising aluminium rather than powder coating. You can easily make your own set for under $100, and can find everything outside of dyes locally regardless of where you live.

The only consideration of using gas or electric heat is the amount of moisture given off by gas. There are a few systems that change the temperature and/or time depending on the heat source.

 

[Stuey]

I would highly recommend anodising aluminium rather than powder coating. You can easily make your own set for under $100, and can find everything outside of dyes locally regardless of where you live.

The only consideration of using gas or electric heat is the amount of moisture given off by gas. There are a few systems that change the temperature and/or time depending on the heat source.

Not to steal the thread, by why would anodizing be better to do myself than powder coating?

Powder coating would require a few tools, powders, and a toaster oven. Home anodizing would require a lot more than that, not to mention caustic chemicals. I know that curing powder coated parts (at high temp) could reduce the mechanical properties of aluminum, but my needs are for aesthetics, and non-critical components (e.g. computer chassis parts).