Chamois for fluid bed membrane

I was at the store this weekend and happened to see a chamois hanging on the sales rack. It seemed thick enough to use as a membrane so I decided to give it a try.

I cut out a small square and super glued it to the bottom of a 1-1/2" pc of pvc for my home made fluid bed.

I've attached a picture of my unit with the air off and on. I made a couple of videos with medium and high air flow adjustment to show, but I just realized I don't know how to post a video here (using Tapatalk).

I haven't tried painting any jigs with it yet, so I'm not sure if the fluidization is enough. What do the experts think?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...40d614443d.jpg

I just realized two things... I forgot the second picture and I created this thread in the wrong forum.

Anyone know how to move it? Sorry.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a2e5dcca21.jpg

:ThumbsUp

Did it lift it enough to get it to look like it was a fluid when you rock it back and for forth? If it did then your in business.

Yes, and I found an air leak that when I fixed it I was able to get the level to rise even more

I can move the thread, where do you want it?

Skip

Was intending to put in under the pouring and painting forum

Here are a couple of videos (if this works). The longer video is running at a lower flow control setting.

This is a 1-1/2" diameter fluid bed.

http://vid1248.photobucket.com/album...psv2yo6fel.mp4

http://vid1248.photobucket.com/album...psbffyhois.mp4

I like mine just like the first one.

Before I tried the chamois, I tried printer paper and brown paper bag. I started off using my shop air compressor with the regulator turned WAY down. After that, I switched to my small aerator pump that I use to keep my minnows alive. The aerator pump did a better job. Next, I emptied the powder and ran the fluid bed dry to check out a hunch. Sure enough, I could see the paper membrane vibrate in time with the pump.

While researching home made fluid beds, I had considered trying to add a vibrator to my design. I think using the aerator pump seems to take care of that function.

Anyone else notice similar results?

Was it a real chamois or one of the micro-fiber ones that I see?

Real chamois

I worked on my fluid bed setup today. I also received the 2" fluid cups I ordered from TJ's Tackle.

Here is my process for working with the chamois. First I cut and super glued a piece to the pvc cup. Then I clamped it to let it dry:

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...psnsegetke.jpg

Once dry I trimmed the excess using a fresh razor blade:

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...psjmscekcd.jpg

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3feywmtl.jpg

I found some interesting fittings at my local Menards and decided to try using them to make my fluid bed bases. They are basically a plug with a metal threaded insert molded in that apparently is used with a clean out cover. The plug simply threads into a standard fitting. The reason I went with this was to provide an easy means to mount my bases to a baseplate.

Once I securely threaded the plugs into the bases, I drilled a hole and tapped it for a 1/8NPT fitting. I added a couple of inline pneumatic flow controls for adjustment.

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...psdbrrnnlt.jpg

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...pst3v9vtv0.jpg

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...psup2f4bng.jpg

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...psldhouryu.jpg

Here are some photos comparing my chamois fluid cup to TJ's

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...psqjnukpxl.jpg

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7yeh4ujd.jpg

http://i1248.photobucket.com/albums/...psn34i69gy.jpg

As I mentioned before, I have only a small single outlet air pump. When I tested the TJ cup, I had the flow control opened completely. While this was enough flow to aerate the powder well, the pump didn't have enough power to boil the powder.

When I tried my chamois cup at the same setting, it really boiled the powder. I had to close the flow control quite a bit to get it under control.

Both cups aerated the powder well, but the TJ cup caused the powder to raise slightly higher in the cup.

My tests were performed using the same load of powder paint. I just poured it from one cup to another.

I tried painting one jig head in both cups and didn't really notice a difference in the results

Here are some links to three trial videos:

http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/Cr...xyfb9.mp4.html

http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/Cr...1y2sj.mp4.html

http://s1248.photobucket.com/user/Cr...w8zcc.mp4.html

I decided to order a couple form TJ's and they came today. I will still use the bases I built and build a few more but I will leave the cups to TJ's as they are very nicely done. I haven't tried them yet as my PP workstation is on a screened in porch and the temp has dropped to the uncomfortable range, so I will wait. I will keep my eyes open for some chamois to re-do my old cups.

I bought my chamois at my local Advanced Auto. They had several sizes. Bought the smallest they had

I painted a couple hundred jigs this weekend. Most turned out very well, with a few that had some dimples. I either didn't have the jig hot enough or didn't dip long enough.

Toward the end I was getting ready to use green chartreuse. I heated the jigs a tag longer and dipped them slightly longer. I also increased the oven temp just a little.

I know, I know, too many changes at once!!!

Well, I finally experienced the noses that I've read about! Oh well, most of them weren't too bad and I just clipped the longer noses off after they cooled. After clipping, I tried to reheat a few to re-melt and smooth them. This didn't work; the color started to discolor.

I used my 1-1/2" chamois fluid cups for everything except black and pearl white. I switched over to the TJ cups and these colors flowed better.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d53a834334.jpg

If anyone is interested in trying a sample of chamois send me a PM with your address and I can send out a small piece. Be sure to include the diameter of fluid cups you use.

I made some more chamois cups last night and today. This time I am making some mini ones for trying out small custom mixes

Layout of cups. I stretch material slightly and hold in place with tape
Attachment 281673

SuperGlued and clamped. I glue and clamp one at a time
Attachment 281674

Separated each cup after drying overnight
Attachment 281675

Finished product
Attachment 281676

I’ve made at least 30 1-1/2”” cups from the same pc of material and still have some left.