Fluid Bed Build - Part 2 Results

[Fatman]

Well here we go - the beds were all dried up as were the cups so got it all set up. And YES I ran all three beds at once!!!!!!!!

The three way air valve worked GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! and another surprise was when I opened the air pump 60 gallon - it was dual nozzle!!!

Here's what I started with for jigs

and ended up breaking out more!!!!!!! I am seriously gonna pay for it tommorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can load 6 pans for baking at a time

I did 6 loads of six and one of three for 39 pans of jigs!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the last batch cooling off

Here's the results -

While a load was curing I used the new Wagner dual heat gun to get more trays loaded up - it really worked good, definatly worth the $22 I paid for it.

The day I did this painting I started just before noon and finished up and cleaned up at 1045 last night!!!!!!!! I had planned on pouring jigs the next day but no way was that going to happen. I really over did it, but the beds were working so good it was hard to stop!!!! so the next day was sitting and relaxing and trimming the swivels is about it.

A few things that I learned from it was that I think I'm gonna stick with the dip in the paint cup on the pony/horse head jigs. Looking at them this morning I noticed the paint was a little low on the swivels so I'm gonna have to use a razor blade to clear some of it out so the swivels turn like there supposed to, but it won't take long. In a bigger 3 inch bed I don't think it would be a problem. I am definately going to buy some more cups - it got to be a pain cleaning them out to use a different color.

The mesh I used also helped when I slipped with the pliers and lost a hot jig head in the cup - it didn't go through the mesh, if it had been a coffee filter or anything else I think I'd have had a heck of a mess.

I did like the fact that if you dipped the ball, minnow and tube heads just right there was no need to clear the eye before curing.

As this is a repost cause of the loss - I ended up with a total of 1479 jigs painted. Just the 1/32nd and 1/16th total 800. They are sorted between 57 small zip bags.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Great job on those fluid beds. Puts mine to shame.


I'd be interested in mesh material and how well it works with heavier paint like white. I have tried vacuum bags, brown bags, and coffee filters, but still get volcanoes with white.

 

[LedHed]

WOW - another powderpaint monster!! Awesome work Fm.

 

[Fatman]

Fuzzy,

I hereby readily admit!!! White powder paint SUCKS!!!!!!!!! the mesh worked great in the fluid bed, no volcanoes, not blowing all over the place but with the white being a heavier powder I might have to heat the heads a bit hotter before dipping, or maybe a bit more air pressure for it. Out of 60 that I put white on about 25 of them had paint chunks on the tops of the jigs.

I was always a dip it in the cup painter but as far as the fluid beds I'm a rank amateur!!!!!!!!!! That weekend was only the second time I had used one.

Thanks again Led!!

 

[Fatman]

What's a matter you can't follow picture instructions

My order just came in for 2" flat bottom cups and I just did all of those tonight = they're on cookie sheets with a cast iron pot and 9 bags of jigs. They should be ready for Saturday.

 

[Squeakyboatcaptain]

You are a paint MONSTER!! dang!!! Appreciate the instructions!! Looks like I will have to upgrade to keep up with the Joneses!!

 

[Fatman]

For 8 oz heads I think i'd be looking at the powder paint gun - don't know a thing about em but I've seen a few youtube video's. After I built the 3" bed I tried to set a blade bait straight down into where the powder would be, Pretty darn tight!!!!!
So it's back to thinking about those.

 

[Fatman]

The plans on one that was sent to me the top cup was the same size outside diameter as the bottom and they're shaving or sanding the outside of it so it sits tight in the bottom - that's how it looks. My cups look like a funnel with wide space at the top and narrow near the bottom.

That's why it doesn't take so much powder to run it. Let me ask around to some guys I know who are WAY BETTER at this than I am!!!

I'll post back.

 

[LedHed]

5" cup sholud be fine, you will have to go deeper - might need a bigger cup. Think Componet Systems has all kinds of sizes of beds.

FG - PM me your snail mail - got some stuff that might help you with the white.

 

[Fatman]

Led

PM sent

 

[blt]

I would want the cup 1" -1.5" longer than the jig head itself. I don't even worry about coating the area where you tie. In reality, I prefer no paint there. If the actual head on the 8oz. is 4" long, a 5" cup should be good. I have cups that are 6", but may be cutting them down.

I still think because you guys use shallow cups, it makes it harder to get the powder to float well. I have never had any issue with white, and I use brown paper bags for filters, but 4" cups are the smallest I use. I have 3-3.5" of powder in my cups, maybe a little more and that's with out the air on. Use a spoon to get it started.

 

[Fatman]

Don't have a problem at all with them being shallow - it's the ponys/horse heads in the shallow ones that cause me problems that's why I built a 3", haven't used it yet though. The way I'm coughing and sneezing I've been leaving the powder alone as well as the tying materials LOL

 

[Fatman]

BLT

Ok the 8oz head is 4" long, but you have that hugh hook molded it. Are you dipping straight in, at an angle???

Ok and here's the biggie - you've seen the beds I made and they have screw in cups which the bottom narrows - even my 3" is like that. How are you guys making them with straight cups so you don't get airflow problems??? I've heard!! that some just sand around the bottom and the tight fit seals it off - but then how would you use mesh or coffee filters seems like they'd rip!!!!!! when you pushed the top on.

Show some pics of how your top cup and bottom go together - and what the inside of the cup looks like.

 

[blt]

I only have the 4, 3 and 2 oz. ultra minnow, I dip straight down, quick left right action, back out. My 8 oz. fluke balls are closer to the edges, plus I have to hold a swivel out of the way so it doesn't get powder coated.

My cups are straight, and go right into the end cap, no screws. I think the end cap has a small taper to it already so it seals. I know that at times when I switch cups, if I have it cocked a little it is bad for air flow into the cup with paper bag filters.

 

[Fatman]

Thanks for the info.