Tested out my self built fluid bed, got a few questions

ok, paint is coming out of my cup, so I am to assume my cup is to short and also, with the 4 or 5 heads (1/16) I noticed that it seemed that I had strings coming from them. I am using coffee filters and I did notice that when I looked down in the cup I could see it like bubbling but it was not uniform, it was just like one side of the cup or maybe 3/4 of the cup. I have 2 valves on the cup and both were on at the same setting (or as close as I could get them). I just know that I now have a slight coating of red powder paint around my fluid bed :o so what am I doing wrong :confused:




thanks


maachuu :o

I'm in the process of building mine so I'm paying close attention to your posts and responses.

I'm not sure if i can help but I have some ideas.

1. how tall is your cup
2. how full did you fill it
3. can you adjust the air flow
4' how long are you putting jig in powder
5. how many seconds atre you heating the head
6 and before you turn on air stir the powder to loosen it up some

answer these and maybe we will have a little better idea of whats wrong

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jiggin_Joe

I'm not sure if i can help but I have some ideas.

1. how tall is your cup
2. how full did you fill it
3. can you adjust the air flow
4' how long are you putting jig in powder
5. how many seconds atre you heating the head
6 and before you turn on air stir the powder to loosen it up some

answer these and maybe we will have a little better idea of whats wrong

---

ok here ya go :

1. how tall is your cup - this one is around 3 inches but I have made more that are 4 1/2 inches
2. how full did you fill it - couldnt really tell but looked like maybe an inch or so of powder
3. can you adjust the air flow - yes
4. how long are you putting jig in powder - just dipped it in and then out
5. how many seconds atre you heating the head - approx 10 seconds with propane torch
6 and before you turn on air stir the powder to loosen it up some - yes did stir it up

added a couple pictures as visual reference to my mess



http://media7.dropshots.com/photos/1...628/203515.jpg

http://media8.dropshots.com/photos/1...628/203522.jpg

I am building one also but it will be a few days before it is ready for use. Hope you get it working right.

I'm having troubles with mine also. I'm made a number of cups and some work and some don't. All were made with 2" screw in cups. I used brown wraping paper for the base. On several on them, I'm getting 5 or 6 volcanos. What do you suggest?

#1 seems ok
2 seems ok
3 I assume you started low and adjusted tell powder was rolling sometimes you get little volcanoes and if that happens I found go a little higher on air and it should start to roll.
4 is right
5 is right
6 is right

I dont use coffee filters for my filter I use brown lunch bags not grocery store bags they are to thick so only thing I can think of right now is with the coffee filter you might be getting to much air even at lowest setting. I'm no expert but tahts the best i can come up with without actually seeing it in front of me. maybe try a cup with a brown lunch bag for the filter and see what happens. I'm sure others will help to.

JJ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hunter7711

I'm having troubles with mine also. I'm made a number of cups and some work and some don't. All were made with 2" screw in cups. I used brown wraping paper for the base. On several on them, I'm getting 5 or 6 volcanos. What do you suggest?

---

I think the brown wrapping paper is same as grocery bag and i tried taht it was to think get some luch bags and try they work good

ok my bed has to lines but they connect at a t then one line goes into base I think it is just getting to much air turn one valve off and try that

ok, will try the one valve and then will put brown paper lunch back on one and see what happens, thanks for your help so far Jiggin Joe , but Im sure I will have many questions to come LOL

thanks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hunter7711

I'm having troubles with mine also. I'm made a number of cups and some work and some don't. All were made with 2" screw in cups. I used brown wraping paper for the base. On several on them, I'm getting 5 or 6 volcanos. What do you suggest?

---

yes, I did notice what I called bubbles but now that you mention it I guess they do look like mini volcanos



maachuu

I jacked this from a site awhile ago maybe it will help

How to Make a Fluid Bed for Powder Painting Fishing Lures
Many fishermen who make there own lures like to use powder paint to add
color to there jigs, spinner bodies, or blades. In this guide I will show you
how to make a Fluid Bed to make it easier to paint your homemade custom
lures.
Items you need (You can get everything @ Home Depot, Lowes or
Menards). Also the pump can be purchased @ Wal-mart or a Pet Store.
NOTE: ( DO-IT HARDWARE does not have the WATTS parts)
1. 2 or 3 inch PVC Coupler
2. 2 or 3 inch PVC pipe
3. 2 or 3 inch Flat Cap or 1/4” Lexan (Plexiglass)
4. 24 hour 2 part Epoxy for the Lexan
5. PVC Cleaner, Primer and Glue to attach pvc parts together
6. 1/4” Ice Maker plastic tubing only
7. Fish Aquarium tubing is 3/16” OD is too small and will not fit in the
A-50 Self Tapping Saddle Valve correctly
8. Self Tapping Saddle Valve (You will use the valve part) Watts Brand
A-50
9. Pipe Tape
10. Pipe Hex Bushing ¼ MIP x 1/8 FIP ////Watts Brand A-738
11. Quick Connect Tee Watts Brand PL-3003 or go to your local
Automotive supplier they have plastic fittings that can be substituted
for the WATTS “T” use 1/8” plastic fitting that has 3 inlets on it.
12. Coffee Filters or Lunch paper bag, or Gene and Shop-Vac Reusable
Filters
13. Aquarium pump with two outlets. Operates 20-60 gallon. The larger
the better.
Step 1 Making the Base
Choose A or B
A. Cut a piece of Lexan slightly larger than the PVC coupler. You will
need to rough up the bottom so that the glue will stick. Some
couplers have raised lettering so you will need to sand that down
evenly. After that glue the Lexan to the PVC coupler. Make sure
that you epoxy all the way around the coupler so that there are no air
leaks then apply a bead of Silicon Caulk and let it dry for 48 Hrs.
B. Take the PVC coupler and the Flat cap and prime the outer cap and in
the inside ½ of the coupler. Don’t prime both sides of the inside of
the coupler. Than put the glue on the primer and slide the cap inside
of the coupler. Hold it in place for a minute than it is good. If it does
not slip in than you could sand down the inside of the coupler to
make it slip in.
Step 2 Connecting the Valve
If you use Step 1, A than you will need to wait until the epoxy is cured. If
you use Step 1 B than you are ready to do do this step because the glue dries
super fast.
After it is cured you will need to drill a 31/64” hole into the lower half of the
PVC Coupler. Make sure that it is below the half way line but not to low
that the vale will tip the fluid bed.
Step 3 Installing the Valve
Take the bushing and Valve. Put pipe tape on the Valve and screw it on the
bushing. Make sure that it is nice and tight.
Now screw in the Bushing and Valve into the hole you drilled on the PVC
coupler until it bottoms out. You should not need to tap this hole. If the
valve fits to loose coat the threads with pipe tape.
Step 4 Installing the tubing
Cut the ice maker tubing
2 pieces 12 inches
1 piece about 20 inches or desired length
Connect the 2 --12 inch tubing pieces on the Aquarium pump. Than take the
Tee and connect them to the Tee. Than take the longer cut tubing and
connect it to the Base Valve
You are now done with the Base!!!!!
Making the Cup for The Fluid Bed
The cup is the easiest part to make!!!!
Step 1 Make the Cup
Take your PVC pipe and cut in 3 inches long
You now have your cup!!!
Operating Your Fluid Bed
Now is the fun part, using your fluid bed. Take your cup and cut out a piece
of paper, or take your coffee filter (or my favorite, Shop Vac filter) and put it
on the bottom of the cup. Press it into the base of the fluid bed. Don’t push
it in to hard, but just nice and snug. You do not want any air leaks.
Next fill the cup about 1/3 to half full of powder paint. With the valve in the
closed position turn on the pump and begin to open the valve. The powder
paint should begin to lift and than bubble like boiling water. If the powder
shoots up or blows out of the cup close the valve down a bit to reduce the
air. This may take a little time to adjust. If this doesn’t work than raise or
lower the cup. Or do a combination of the two.
You can make a 2 inch 3 inch or 4 inch!!! Which ever you choose.
I use the 3 inch and I also use a reducing bushing on this so that I can use a 2
inch cup. Using a 2 inch cup will reduce the amount of paint in the cup.
You now have an operating Fluid Bed!!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jiggin_Joe

I jacked this from a site awhile ago maybe it will help

How to Make a Fluid Bed for Powder Painting Fishing Lures
Many fishermen who make there own lures like to use powder paint to add
color to there jigs, spinner bodies, or blades. In this guide I will show you
how to make a Fluid Bed to make it easier to paint your homemade custom
lures.
Items you need (You can get everything @ Home Depot, Lowes or
Menards). Also the pump can be purchased @ Wal-mart or a Pet Store.
NOTE: ( DO-IT HARDWARE does not have the WATTS parts)
1. 2 or 3 inch PVC Coupler
2. 2 or 3 inch PVC pipe
3. 2 or 3 inch Flat Cap or 1/4” Lexan (Plexiglass)
4. 24 hour 2 part Epoxy for the Lexan
5. PVC Cleaner, Primer and Glue to attach pvc parts together
6. 1/4” Ice Maker plastic tubing only
7. Fish Aquarium tubing is 3/16” OD is too small and will not fit in the
A-50 Self Tapping Saddle Valve correctly
8. Self Tapping Saddle Valve (You will use the valve part) Watts Brand
A-50
9. Pipe Tape
10. Pipe Hex Bushing ¼ MIP x 1/8 FIP ////Watts Brand A-738
11. Quick Connect Tee Watts Brand PL-3003 or go to your local
Automotive supplier they have plastic fittings that can be substituted
for the WATTS “T” use 1/8” plastic fitting that has 3 inlets on it.
12. Coffee Filters or Lunch paper bag, or Gene and Shop-Vac Reusable
Filters
13. Aquarium pump with two outlets. Operates 20-60 gallon. The larger
the better.
Step 1 Making the Base
Choose A or B
A. Cut a piece of Lexan slightly larger than the PVC coupler. You will
need to rough up the bottom so that the glue will stick. Some
couplers have raised lettering so you will need to sand that down
evenly. After that glue the Lexan to the PVC coupler. Make sure
that you epoxy all the way around the coupler so that there are no air
leaks then apply a bead of Silicon Caulk and let it dry for 48 Hrs.
B. Take the PVC coupler and the Flat cap and prime the outer cap and in
the inside ½ of the coupler. Don’t prime both sides of the inside of
the coupler. Than put the glue on the primer and slide the cap inside
of the coupler. Hold it in place for a minute than it is good. If it does
not slip in than you could sand down the inside of the coupler to
make it slip in.
Step 2 Connecting the Valve
If you use Step 1, A than you will need to wait until the epoxy is cured. If
you use Step 1 B than you are ready to do do this step because the glue dries
super fast.
After it is cured you will need to drill a 31/64” hole into the lower half of the
PVC Coupler. Make sure that it is below the half way line but not to low
that the vale will tip the fluid bed.
Step 3 Installing the Valve
Take the bushing and Valve. Put pipe tape on the Valve and screw it on the
bushing. Make sure that it is nice and tight.
Now screw in the Bushing and Valve into the hole you drilled on the PVC
coupler until it bottoms out. You should not need to tap this hole. If the
valve fits to loose coat the threads with pipe tape.
Step 4 Installing the tubing
Cut the ice maker tubing
2 pieces 12 inches
1 piece about 20 inches or desired length
Connect the 2 --12 inch tubing pieces on the Aquarium pump. Than take the
Tee and connect them to the Tee. Than take the longer cut tubing and
connect it to the Base Valve
You are now done with the Base!!!!!
Making the Cup for The Fluid Bed
The cup is the easiest part to make!!!!
Step 1 Make the Cup
Take your PVC pipe and cut in 3 inches long
You now have your cup!!!
Operating Your Fluid Bed
Now is the fun part, using your fluid bed. Take your cup and cut out a piece
of paper, or take your coffee filter (or my favorite, Shop Vac filter) and put it
on the bottom of the cup. Press it into the base of the fluid bed. Don’t push
it in to hard, but just nice and snug. You do not want any air leaks.
Next fill the cup about 1/3 to half full of powder paint. With the valve in the
closed position turn on the pump and begin to open the valve. The powder
paint should begin to lift and than bubble like boiling water. If the powder
shoots up or blows out of the cup close the valve down a bit to reduce the
air. This may take a little time to adjust. If this doesn’t work than raise or
lower the cup. Or do a combination of the two.
You can make a 2 inch 3 inch or 4 inch!!! Which ever you choose.
I use the 3 inch and I also use a reducing bushing on this so that I can use a 2
inch cup. Using a 2 inch cup will reduce the amount of paint in the cup.
You now have an operating Fluid Bed!!!!!

---

Thanks Joe, that should be of a help. Will give it a try when I get a chance to fool with this more and let you know what the verdict is, it could be just that I am not worth a darn at it :D

thanks

it took me awhile to tell i finally got it working right

Try these from TJ's Tackle. They work great!!! And a good man to deal with!!!!

Attachment 43170

thanks bassman



maachuu

Oh wow, I get a little puff out from time to time when I open the valve too much, but man yours just blew paint all over.

I have 2 home made ones and just can break the likes of the store bought one. I now have 2 of them, the first was from SCI and cost a ton and just bought one from TJ's for my number 2 unit. I do have a reason for having two, but not telling that yet, LOL!

I never like using the coffee filters and just don't like the home made ones and I didn't make either of them.

I would say if you can afford the $50.00 just buy one from TJ of the 3" ones and forget it. I probably have 30 cups (maybe more) that the paint stays in and I just add more powder as needed from the pound containers I have. Now if you are going to be like me and have a lot of color and a cup for each that will get a little expensive.

Maybe it's just me, but when I started tying, that is what I wanted to do. I didn't want to pour lead and I didn't want to make tools, but like I said that is just me.

Skip

Maachuu for a single valve set-up I use this....

The 2 lines from the pump are 4" and connected to a "T" fitting. The long line from the "T" fitting to the needle valve is 9" and I use coffee filters on the bottom of my powder cups. This will supply you with more then enough air to work the powder.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ing2010041.jpg

Got my unit finished today. It is 2'' pipe and it worked great!:)It took very little air to make it work.

Looking good Stump Hunter. I'm working on one myself. Still letting the glue dry. No telling what will happen when I crank it up. LOL Good job Ronnie!
http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/y...1/0ecc32ab.jpg

Looks like you have your unit finished too Scott. Nice set up you built. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottV

Looking good Stump Hunter. I'm working on one myself. Still letting the glue dry. No telling what will happen when I crank it up. LOL Good job Ronnie!

---

Darn guy you making a 4 hole one huh? You planning on painting a lot? You know you can change cups huh, LOL?

Think I figured out one of my problems. I used epoxy instead of something flexable,so I was getting leaks. The whole piece came off real easy. I thought I was smart and made mine where the cups screw in. Not sure if I was smart or not.

Yea Skip I kinda went overboard. Was having so much fun I didn't know when to stop. LOL I had to buy 2 ft of PVC so I just went with a "quad". LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maachuu

ok, paint is coming out of my cup, so I am to assume my cup is to short and also, with the 4 or 5 heads (1/16) I noticed that it seemed that I had strings coming from them. I am using coffee filters and I did notice that when I looked down in the cup I could see it like bubbling but it was not uniform, it was just like one side of the cup or maybe 3/4 of the cup. I have 2 valves on the cup and both were on at the same setting (or as close as I could get them). I just know that I now have a slight coating of red powder paint around my fluid bed :o so what am I doing wrong :confused:




thanks


maachuu :o

---

Did You ever get it to work ... and if Yes what was wrong ?
I have seen several great answers but would like to follow it out to the end.

JSC

Mine is working fine. I used silicone sealant for my glue and coffee filters. I have four units built together, but I use only one at a time. I dumped a whole 2 oz jar of chartreuse in one and a jar of white in another. At first, I had the little volcanoes, but as I stirred the powder with the air going it changed to just bubbles, like it was boiling. Nothing was blowing out of the top, just a tiny bit of "smoke". I could tell when I swished my jigs through the paint, I had a thinner coat on them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottV

Mine is working fine. I used silicone sealant for my glue and coffee filters. I have four units built together, but I use only one at a time. I dumped a whole 2 oz jar of chartreuse in one and a jar of white in another. At first, I had the little volcanoes, but as I stirred the powder with the air going it changed to just bubbles, like it was boiling. Nothing was blowing out of the top, just a tiny bit of "smoke". I could tell when I swished my jigs through the paint, I had a thinner coat on them.

---

That is the same way my unit works too. Glad to hear everything works good Scott :):)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by STUMP HUNTER

That is the same way my unit works too. Glad to hear everything works good Scott :):)

---

Yea Ronnie I think some colors might be a little thicker than others so maybe they don't bubble as well. Stirring good helps though. Glad your's is working!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JSC

Did You ever get it to work ... and if Yes what was wrong ?
I have seen several great answers but would like to follow it out to the end.

JSC

---

I tried a different color and adjusted my air flow down and it seem to work out for me, I think my main problem was that I had to much air coming out and it was causing a fog of powder, I just lowered the air flow down to just where I could see if breaking through the power and it seemed to work much better, the color I was using before was red and this one that seem to work was pank (pink) so I dont know if the consistency of the powder was different or I was able to get the air adjusted. I did change to a 2 inch cup also


thanks for all the help guys


maachuu

Yeah just be REAL careful how your stirring LOL or you'll see the powder fly!!!! Got a buddy who when he stirred ripped the coffee filter and made a big mess!!!!!!!!!!

Keep all the suggestions coming I have fluid beds I won and I just don't have the air blower yet, so when I start I'm back to being a new guy just learning!!!!

Fatman