Fluid beds. Advantage or disatvantage?

Just wandering if u guys like em or not and why. I've never used one but have been considering it.


Eatin ain't cheatin

I just started painting/tying this year. My first two painting sessions were straight in the jar since I hadn't built my fluid bed yet.

My results with the fluid bed are much, much better. The air that is added by the fluid bed adds about 30% volume to the paint. The result is much smoother coverage even though it's a thinner layer of paint.

I've built 3 of them plus 2 I won on another site now closed. It is so much easier with the beds especially if your doing multi-colors. I can run 3, 2" beds at the same time and it helps. Also when you're dipping if you hold the hook at the right angle and dip you can with practice not get any paint in the eye of the hook.

They're not expensive to build - I have a step by step on here showing how to do it.

Fatman

Fluid bed all the way and the more cups the better so you don't have to clean the cups to switch colors. I will never go back to stir and dip again if I can help it.

If you are only doing a few dozen jigs a year a fluid bed is not necessary (unless they are very large jigs, then I highly recommend). If you are doing hundreds of jigs, then yes a fluid bed is highly recommended. The advantages of a fluid bed are many. It allows for a thinner, even coat of paint. Jig eyes will remain open. It saves time by not having to constantly "fluff" up the paint in the jar. It uses less paint. The manufacture of the paint states that you can paint 350, 3/8oz jigs with 2oz opf paint. When using a fluid bed, we have painted over 500 with 2oz of paint. It uses that much less paint. If you would like to see them in action, visit www.tjstackle.com. There are videos on there that show the whole painting process.

Best way to keep the paint fluffed up good and that also make it easier to do a good paint job. It's a pain fluffing in one of them little jars unless you not tying many. You do actually save paint too because you can get a thinner coat on.

I would use JT's tackle if you get decide to get a bed. I got mine form them and this year ordered a reducer and 6 two inch cups so I can put my most common colors in separate cups. I only paint about 300 jig heads a year and about 100 spinner blades. For spinner blades it allows an ever coat and doesn't effect the ability of the blade to spin properly.

Sign up for the swap box. I just put two fluid beds in it. Cheers

I bought a fluid bed a few years ago and really like it. I don't paint that many, but the process seems to go faster and smoother with the bed. Also, you don't have as much problem with the eyes filling with paint and a bed is the only way to go with larger head.

Sam

Thanks for all the advice and comments guys. I am definitely going to look into one.


Eatin ain't cheatin