#FabSpace

[lilscorpion]

So…like…life will getcha, no doubt. Since Covid has more or less subsided in corporate culture (yes it has you non-believers), I’ve been traveling A LOT between my day job’s various locations trying to keep momentum. Travel = less garage time…but not no garage time. I’ve been taking pics but not posting…

Update on the tripple oven - it works just fine. Used it to coat some cooling racks I made that attach to the oven itself. I used the mill to drill a **** ton of holes in some 1/8 x 1 x 1 steel angle I had laying around.



And repeated the process quite a few times.



Is designed this cooling rack so it would neat inside itself. For smaller parts like lug nuts, I’ll be able to cool hundreds at once…



To keep practicing I decided to Tig weld them. Fixtured them up and tac’d them.



Here’s how I used my welding fixtures to created forearm rests.



And of course coated them in the new oven. LOVE the additional space.



Semi-crappy pic…



The racks fold up into themselves when away but then up there’s more than adequate space for cooking and any one or more of the can easily be stored away to accommodate larger parts.



I’m certain there’s no good way to take a picture of the racks. Hopefully you get the idea.

 

[lilscorpion]

Shortly after the rack was done, my son came home from college for a weekend and we decided to tackle the header leak.



As usual, once we had it a part, the issue was obvious. The header was cerkoted which helped the issue to identify itself.



The Banks header is known to be one of the best flowing equal length tube headers for the Jeep 4.0L…unbeknownst to us, it apparently is also known th have weld failures at the collectors.



We instead will use thickness fancy, and apparently less failing - the JBA Header.



Got it back together, the leak is fixed and it’s ready to go just in time enough to play in the snow.



It was really snowing…lots of play.



Don’t worry tho…it got cleaned up after and let dry in the garage.

 

[lilscorpion]

Missed this…slightly out of order and realized it on the last post. Just before the storm, i put a TV in the garage so I can watch football and hockey anytime I want…great ads for Jeeps too I guess.

 

[larry4406]

Nice work!

In Post 881, 8th picture, there is a black box on the yellow compressor. Dryer?

 

[lilscorpion]

Nice work!

In Post 881, 8th picture, there is a black box on the yellow compressor. Dryer?

Ah, keen eye. Looks like the compressor has a scuba tank doesn’t it? Was going to bring that up here in a bit. That’s my new compressor. A 10hp beast so I can sandblast more quickly and longer. Kinda was easy to justify after walking around this pile for a month or so - this is a complete build package for my daughters 2007 Jeep Wrangler and will be my main project for 2023. Bumpers, sliders, etc. started collecting parts last fall, have quite the pile now and all need to be prepped, fitted, and powder coated.



My other compressor runs fine but does run all day when blasting. This thing puts out 34CFM which happens to be the max flow my cooler/dryer will support as well. For larger parts, it’s almost a necessity and it’s just a wee-bit lager than my current one. Tank is the same…larger motor.



The black box on the back is a sound muffler which suppresses the noise the compressor makes when running (supposedly). I’ve not fired it yet because…well, the website said 40amps were the requirements but when it arrived it clearly states on the compressor that it needs a 60 amp circuit.



so I gotta install a new #3 home run in the shop before I can tell you if it is really quiet or not. Disappointing, I had intended to try it the day it landed but oh well.

 

[Wiz02]

Ah, keen eye. Looks like the compressor has a scuba tank doesn’t it? Was going to bring that up here in a bit. That’s my new compressor. A 10hp beast so I can sandblast more quickly and longer. Kinda was easy to justify after walking around this pile for a month or so - this is a complete build package for my daughters 2007 Jeep Wrangler and will be my main project for 2023. Bumpers, sliders, etc. started collecting parts last fall, have quite the pile now and all need to be prepped, fitted, and powder coated.



My other compressor runs fine but does run all day when blasting. This thing puts out 34CFM which happens to be the max flow my cooler/dryer will support as well. For larger parts, it’s almost a necessity and it’s just a wee-bit lager than my current one. Tank is the same…larger motor.



The black box on the back is a sound muffler which suppresses the noise the compressor makes when running (supposedly). I’ve not fired it yet because…well, the website said 40amps were the requirements but when it arrived it clearly states on the compressor that it needs a 60 amp circuit.



so I gotta install a new #3 home run in the shop before I can tell you if it is really quiet or not. Disappointing, I had intended to try it the day it landed but oh well.

Nice compressor, what's the FLA rating on the motor?

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice update pics Matt. Glad to see you update your progress.

 

[lilscorpion]

Nice compressor, what's the FLA rating on the motor?

Not sure, I’ll check when I get home.

 

[lilscorpion]

Not only is the compressor in the way right now, I’m also shimmying around a pair of Dynatrac 60’s for 007’s. BTW, 007 is what we’ve named my daughters 2007 Wrangler.



We’ve been chasing a vacuum leak on Andrew’s 2006 for a while now. When under boost it has a very high pitched whine. You’d think it would be cool…it’s annoying. Had a suspicion that the push in IAT sensor wasn’t sealing inside the grommet correctly so we purchased this older gen IAT that screws into the bottom of the intake manifold.



Since we have no provision for one in ours, I welded a bung into the throttle body intake tube just adjacent to the blow off valve.



Got it installed back on the Jeep. Didn’t solve the whistle.



Found this vac hose for the booster more or less dry rotted and split. That ain’t helping any. Replaced it with a new hose. Still didn’t solve the whistle.



This plastic hose attaches to the vacuum to
The intake manifold.



which is melted and clearly leaking. Replaced it…still whistling.



Found this stupid thing. It’s in line between the intake and the vacuum storage canister. No frickin wonder we have a leak. There’s more vacuum hose with a **** ton of plastic barbs…inspected them all, zip tied them on, and reinstalled it…still whistles.



Then I inadvertently touched my hand to the catalytic converter on the header…nice little 3rd degree burn…decided finding what I found was a good start. Can give it a go another day and resume find/fix.

 

[Horror Business]

It’s nice to have you posting again.

 

[lilscorpion]

Those of you who have followed along for a while know I’ve managed to optimize my 3 car garage about as much as one can. Truly floor to ceiling with shelving and such. With the need to be able to powder coat larger parts for my daughters Jeep, and because we’ve been unable to find the right next house for the last 7 years, I needed to come up with a way to expand my operation. After a few months and not a lot of other options, we rented a 40 x 16 storage unit.



It fits 2 cars end to end and has plenty of room for plenty of other overflow storage. We’ve had it for a few months now. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it initially but it has been really nice not having to shuttle vehicles in and out of the driveway constantly and the Jeeps don’t have to take the beating from the weather non-stop. It’s only about 5 minutes from the house and east to swing by and take each of them for a ride every weekend. Good enough for now…

 

[lilscorpion]

In my need to scale my operation for larger parts I increased rge size if my sand blast cabinet from 24” wide…there tucked all cute in a slide out drawer below the single in-wall oven…



To this Fn beast of a monster which can handle 6’ wide by 24” deep by…I dunno, damn big enough.



Now that saying - you don’t k is what you’ve got until it’s gone? I have no idea what they’re talking about. Id say “you don’t realize what you ain’t got until you got it”. No $hit. In my little cabinet I thought I could make fairly good progress after all of the upgrades. Turns out I was an idiot.



In about 4 hours I sand blasted may entire backlog just while “playing” with my new tool. To put it into perspective, I think I might have spent 2 hours alone blasting the mill scale off of my father in-laws Kabota shoot flap…I had no idea how blasting should be. And look at the work area!! Daym



Before blasting was a step in the process that took time, now it’s a quick thing I do before the coating step. Thrilled. Probably the best part is how much more effective the gun assembly is. Here’s a control arm off of my Jeep that was primed and coated. Powder coating primer is no joke. It does not come off easily…if you don’t have a real blast cabinet I guess.



Like any great tool, it optimized your time and lets you focus energy in the real work.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice cabinet Matt. A high quality blasting cabinet was actually my first "real" shop equipment purchase way back in 1988 when I started wrenching professionally. I saw what a difference having properly cleaned parts made to the overall finished job watching a friend/mentor use one in his home shop and I quickly went after that as a "must have" for my own shop. Thirty-five years later I still have the same cabinet and although I don't use it as often as I once did, it is still a joy to use as well as the feeling I get when I use it.

Nice work on the parts and glad to see you posting your projects again.

 

[lilscorpion]

Nice cabinet Matt. A high quality blasting cabinet was actually my first "real" shop equipment purchase way back in 1988 when I started wrenching professionally. I saw what a difference having properly cleaned parts made to the overall finished job watching a friend/mentor use one in his home shop and I quickly went after that as a "must have" for my own shop. Thirty-five years later I still have the same cabinet and although I don't use it as often as I once did, it is still a joy to use as well as the feeling I get when I use it.

Nice work on the parts and glad to see you posting your projects again.

I can see how using a blast cabinet, happens in waves and may sit for periods, maybe even long ones. I probably would never have gotten one if I hadn’t gotten into powder coating. I’m now disappointed I didn’t get the biggest one they sell…it’s gonna be handy as hell being able to blast a full size bumper (full Jeep sized that is).

I’m still chasing that outbuilding you have Mike and this was step one towards pushing the wife - garage too full. Step 5 will be putting full sized plasma table in the dining room.

 

[zmotorsports]

Yeah, you're doing much larger scale projects than I do Matt. When I've had to have a bumper, axle or even a frame blasted I have a local guy who does good work with either sand or media blasting (walnut), depending on needs. He's pretty quick and reasonably priced so I can't justify anything larger than my 36"x24" cabinet.

I don't do any powder coating but I will admit for some jobs being able to walk to the blasting cabinet to knock the flaked paint or surface rust off a bracket or component and then being able to hit the bracket with a quick shot of paint as the car is going back together sure plays a big role in the outcome of the finished project. Just last night before closing up shop and going over in my head what I wanted to accomplish next, I noticed the bracket for the wire loom and power steering reservoir on this Buick LaCrosse had some paint flaking off and looked horrible so I blasted it and hit it with some etching primer followed by a couple coats of semi-gloss black to make it look OEM as it's going back together. That way by tonight it should be dry and ready to assemble without having to wait for paint to dry.

 

[lilscorpion]

Yeah, you're doing much larger scale projects than I do Matt. When I've had to have a bumper, axle or even a frame blasted I have a local guy who does good work with either sand or media blasting (walnut), depending on needs. He's pretty quick and reasonably priced so I can't justify anything larger than my 36"x24" cabinet.

I don't do any powder coating but I will admit for some jobs being able to walk to the blasting cabinet to knock the flaked paint or surface rust off a bracket or component and then being able to hit the bracket with a quick shot of paint as the car is going back together sure plays a big role in the outcome of the finished project. Just last night before closing up shop and going over in my head what I wanted to accomplish next, I noticed the bracket for the wire loom and power steering reservoir on this Buick LaCrosse had some paint flaking off and looked horrible so I blasted it and hit it with some etching primer followed by a couple coats of semi-gloss black to make it look OEM as it's going back together. That way by tonight it should be dry and ready to assemble without having to wait for paint to dry.

I do seem to get myself into needing bigger scale tools. Think it’s a personality flaw I’ve always had. For example, I can’t wait to be able to do production runs if plasma cut, metal formed, and welded assemblies…but I don’t have any need at the moment. I miss the production aspects of owning a fab business I guess.

I have a “blast guy” but he’s neither fast nor reasonably priced. I actually bought a pressure blast pot when I redid my JK axles a few years back and did it in the driveway. Still cannot believe no one turned me in to the HOA.

I get the feeling. Just about every bracket I touch gets “re-touched” now. It’s amazing how much nicer things are when they look good as new. in some regards I’ve found this to be a curse in that I can really get side tracked by re-coating stuff on larger builds…tho maybe worth getting off course (unless you ask my wife who is more interested in the original project timeline which didn’t include re-coating).

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm afraid I better leave the powder coating alone. I may not be able to refrain and get myself into trouble. It already takes me long enough to accomplish a job.

 

[Mr.zippy]

I'm afraid I better leave the powder coating alone. I may not be able to refrain and get myself into trouble. It already takes me long enough to accomplish a job.

I’m pretty sure you have room in your shop Mike……….

 

[zmotorsports]

I’m pretty sure you have room in your shop Mike……….

Nope. Not even going to entertain the thought. Same with a plasma table. Simply no room.

 

[Honch]

Are you happy with the size of your oven? I want to build one but debating on one large enough to do one wheel or four at a time.

 

[lilscorpion]

Are you happy with the size of your oven? I want to build one but debating on one large enough to do one wheel or four at a time.

Well…happy and oven size are not terms used in the same sentence with powder coating. I started with a single. Almost immediately I wanted to coat parts that were too big. I was creative in how I’d hang parts in that oven, no doubt, but it still has its limits.



So I built a tripple oven because I wanted to be able to coat the parts I wished would fit in my first oven and thought maybe one wheel at a time if I wanted to go there. Before I even had it finished I realized I couldn’t fit most of the parts off of a standard long arm suspension - nearly all of the parts we installed on my sons Jeep a few years back were so poorly prepped they need to be re-done. Heat management is more difficult in the triple than it was in the single. Still trying ti figure out what the right settings are.



In the next month or less, I’ll start documenting a more full size oven build (about 3’ x 3’ x 7’) which will be similar to what’s documented here - https://www.powdercoatguide.com/2014/09/how-to-build-powder-coating-oven.html?m=1



I’m certain it will likely not be sufficient but it will help me make do until I need to build bigger.

 

[lilscorpion]

Nope. Not even going to entertain the thought. Same with a plasma table. Simply no room.

I think that a plasma table isn’t comparable with your garage jam anyway. They’re messy/nasty machines. You gotta really want one. I think some don’t realize the mess they’re getting into when they get their first.

 

[slodat]

I think that a plasma table isn’t comparable with your garage jam anyway. They’re messy/nasty machines. You gotta really want one. I think some don’t realize the mess they’re getting into when they get their first.

I'm not having the mess with mine, and I don't feel like it's taking a lot of special effort. The funnel over the torch is huge in containing the mess. I'm not even seeing significant dust in the area of the plasma. Granted, I'm only cutting about 20 sheets a month right now.

 

[lilscorpion]

I'm not having the mess with mine, and I don't feel like it's taking a lot of special effort. The funnel over the torch is huge in containing the mess. I'm not even seeing significant dust in the area of the plasma. Granted, I'm only cutting about 20 sheets a month right now.

It’s possible technology has improved since I last had a table. I’m certain silicone hadn’t been invented and water tables weren’t as common…

So you think then I could get away with putting one in the dining room?!?

 

[slodat]

My CNC plasma is ten feet from my CAD workstation. I haven't seen an issue with cleanliness, and I keep things rather tidy. I wipe things down every few weeks. Nothing too obsessive.

 

[lilscorpion]

My CNC plasma is ten feet from my CAD workstation. I haven't seen an issue with cleanliness, and I keep things rather tidy. I wipe things down every few weeks. Nothing too obsessive.

Now I’m really excited to get one.

 

[customh]

Now I’m really excited to get one

I can't sit on the sidelines without mentioning that you're halfway between 2 of the biggest names in "laser cut parts on your doorstep tomorrow"- sendcutsend is in Reno and OSH Cut is a stone's throw from Mike in Utah. I'd venture a guess that your floorspace is worth more than their margin, not to mention the difference in quality vs a plasma.

 

[slodat]

You can buy a 1.5kw fiber laser for less than I paid for my plasma. Just buy a laser!

 

[lilscorpion]

You can buy a 1.5kw fiber laser for less than I paid for my plasma. Just buy a laser!

How thick can it cut?…and from who/where?

 

[slodat]

Gary Ramsey is the guy.

 

[rattle_snake]

Dang now shopping for 'lasers' for CNC table...

 

[lilscorpion]

Started in on Ashlyn’s build today by tackling her control arms. These are .200 wall DOM.



Fundamentally identical to the control arms I machined for my Jeep. I use super size drill bits to size them before tapping and then power tap on the lathe.



After tapping, I machine 2 flats on each so I’ll be able to adjust the length on the vehicle. The left ends have two grooves machined in them so it’s easier to figure out which is which. They’re not necessary but they do help me feel less stupid when assembling them.



Though the process is fairly straight forward, it does end up taking most of a day to make 8 arms. Fortunately I had all the tooling and fixture pieces from when I made mine so no time was spent otherwise.

 

[lilscorpion]

Today I coated the control arms. I’m using Prismatic Powder’s Illusion Violet which is a Dormant powder. Dormants, when applied, look like a silver but that’s just the base coat that you pull just as it turns to gell



Then you apply a clear top coat..



And back into the oven for final cure.



And the color comes to life.



Crazy how it works. They have the appearance of purple-ish until light hits them and then they come to life.



All of the control arms, coil springs, and steering components will be this color. Should create a nice contrast with the silver and black of the Jeep otherwise.

 

[zmotorsports]

Amazing work Matt.

 

[WoodsTruck]

I can't wait until you get this powder coating thing figured out.

 

[lilscorpion]

Strangest thing happened tonight when I got home from work. I had all of the control arms laid out on the counter but in the low light of the kitchen. I noticed something funny about the color. They look more like a deep red wine than they did a vibrant violet.



Since this didn’t look right, I decided to coat a single sample piece to make sure I’m not crazy and I was immediately greeted with absolutely no joy. On the left is the sample, the right is one of the control arms. They are absolutely darker than they should be…all uniformly too dark.

 

[Clemson13]

What causes that?

 

[lilscorpion]

What causes that?

Well, best I can tell, it’s because the clear coat is over curing and beginning to yellow and whatever the clear does to the dormant powder (base) maybe keeps activating it?. I took this pic this morning in the back porch. It better illustrates the color difference between what it would look like and what these parts look like. What’s crazy is I didn’t even notice.



I now remember having a convo with the powder coat guy when my son was picking his colors 4 years ago. All of the cool colors Andrew pulled from the wall were two coat powders and the guy commented that we should steer away from them because it’s really hard to match the color should we need to fix them later. That he could keep them the same in a batch tho…so I bet I now know why. Time and temp affect final color. I did actually cure all the arms 2 minutes longer because I was worried that the clear wasn’t fully curing…dumb.

So I started the process of stripping the arms tonight. I know I’ve shared before but the stripper still amazes me every time. I only have a 5 gallon bucket so I have to soak one end and the flip it.



Probably about 5 hours of stripping this far.

 

[red94chev]

I'm certainly no professional but I've been powdercoating small batches of stuff at work for about 10 years now. We do a lot of UV printing on black panels and then I do a top coat with Prismatic Casper Clear. I've found that there is a fine line between cured enough and over-cooked/yellowed. So I think your thoughts are correct. Great fab work as always though, I enjoy your thread and I really want some of that stripper.

 

[zmotorsports]

I was told the same thing when I had our sandrail chassis powder coated years ago, that I should stick with a single stage color. Me wanting what I wanted and already used to painting tri-coat colors and kandys I told them to push forward. Although this was the first time I had not painted one of my own chassis and had it powder coated I didn't think it would be that big a deal. Well when I picked up the chassis and got the bill I realized it was a bit deal. Had it not been in the dead of winter I would have painted the chassis with urethane kandys and skipped the powder coating but timing was not on my side.

You'll get the hang of the multi-step powder coating Matt. I have no idea what's involved but I know you'll figure it out, it's what you do.