Silkscreen for fluid bed.

[jigtosser]

I can't get it to bubble. It is either nothing or blowing powder every where. Cannot get it to be evenly regulated. I have a fine adjust valve and large aquarium pump. I have used two different types of vacuum cleaner bags and several kinds of brown paper bags. My setup is 2" PVC. I have at the present time given up on the bed and found a better way to dip the powder coat and as of now it works really good for me. With the method I am using now I do not have a mess to clean up after each use. How well did the vibrator work? I happen to have a vibrator motor in my shop and it would not be a big problem to hook up.

[fish_4_all]

Sounds like a lot of common issues all in one for you. The regulator could be bad or not fine enough. The material could be bad or just bad brand choices. 2 inch is kinda small and could be part of the problem. Could be bad seals somewhere or it could simply be Murphy's law in full effect.

Stirring and dipping works well and so does sprinkling but you will never go back to it once you get a fluid bed to work properly. The price of the setup to either buy the first or make one isn't bad. Getting the extra cups is really inexpensive. The vibrating motor will help with a lot of colors, I have seen the difference although I haven't gotten one yet. I wish I had one or maybe 3 of them. The vibration will keep the powder from developing stagnant holes for volcanoing and is especialy useful for black and other heavy colors.

[bfish]

...I have a fine adjust valve and large aquarium pump. ...

How much powder are you putting in the cup? Too much can lead to problems.

Also with a large aquarium pump, I would think that you would need a diffuser.

[jigtosser]

I started with the cup 3/4 full and worked my way down to almost nothing, I did stir the the cup all the time. I used red. I just do not have the time nor patience to keep beating a dead horse. When the weather warms up and I can get back in my shop I may try it again. I will however order a known filter material that works.

[skeetbum]

I've always heard coffee filters. I have no experience other than what I read here.

[pondhopper]

I now use coffee filters. The vibrator and diffuser together helped I also put a y in my air supply line so the air was coming into the chamber from both sides. I was trying to reach the same goal as you I think. There are a lot variables and calculations a person could go through like volume weight force ect. but in the end you will never get the powder to react like you were dipping it in water. I have some stuff called powder water but have not had the time to experiment with it. Columbia coatings is where I got it. (I think)