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Here are some pics of my hopper. I glued the membrane in with 2 part epoxy.
[attachment=1:t1se423y]hopper1.JPG[/attachment:t1se423y]
[attachment=0:t1se423y]hopper2.JPG[/attachment:t1se423y]
Just make sure that sewer pipe is cleaned out good. That would be pretty rough. I tried to buy Shellys membrane, but she didnt want to sell it to me. Kiddin witchy Polert
Originally posted by polert
Do it yourself. Go to Menard's purchase 6" PVC sewer pipe, and fittings. Then Order kings membrane for x amount of dollars, and assemble it up. I going to purchase her membrane to install after using mono valve material from lab. Free source ran out.
Did you glue that cause air was coming out there? thats a cool set up
Originally posted by stewman00
Here are some pics of my hopper. I glued the membrane in with 2 part epoxy.
[attachment=1:19luim11]hopper1.JPG[/attachment:19luim11]
[attachment=0:19luim11]hopper2.JPG[/attachment:19luim11]
I glued it down because I didn't want any powder to get in the sides or underneath the membrane. I was thinking that it would be easier to clean. So far I really like this hopper.
I apologize if this is a stupid question, or maybe I just missed another post that explained this better, but how do all the parts of this hopper go together? I've never seen a real hopper, so I don't have any reference.
The pictures Stewman posted are good, but where is the powder placed, on top of the membrane? Also, there are air lines on both the top(2) and bottom(1). Is the powder output coming from the clear tube inserted into the top of the hopper? Any pictures or explanation of the rest of the setup? Thanks
I apologize if this is a stupid question, or maybe I just missed another post that explained this better, but how do all the parts of this hopper go together? I've never seen a real hopper, so I don't have any reference.
The pictures Stewman posted are good, but where is the powder placed, on top of the membrane? Also, there are air lines on both the top(2) and bottom(1). Is the powder output coming from the clear tube inserted into the top of the hopper? Any pictures or explanation of the rest of the setup? Thanks
The hopper simple slides together. The center tube slides inside of both the top and bottom cap. The powder sits on top of that membrane and inside of the tube now sitting inside of the bottom cap. The small clear tube hanging off the top of the hopper is just basically to release pressure, preventing the hopper from pressurizing and surging. Air is pumped into the bottom cap, past the membrane, and into the center section, this fluidizes the powder. Then the pump on top picks up the powder through the tube and it goes down the hose into the gun.
Thanks Juan, your explanation helps. A followup question or two.
Why wouldn't the small hose you describe as a pressure relief also let powder escape? Is there a membrane covering the end that extends into the powder?
This system requires a pump to send the powder to the gun? It isn't accomplished by air pressure?
Thanks Juan, your explanation helps. A followup question or two.
Why wouldn't the small hose you describe as a pressure relief also let powder escape? Is there a membrane covering the end that extends into the powder?
This system requires a pump to send the powder to the gun? It isn't accomplished by air pressure?
Good questions.
The small hose does allow powder to escape, but this can be prevented. That hose is actually a good way to gauge air pressure inside the hopper. You want to turn it up to where powder just barely starts to come out of that hose. Then back it down a pound or two, to where the stream of powder is barely visible. That little stream of air over a few minutes of coating be barely noticeable and shouldn't cause a mess.
The pump actually uses the venturi effect to pull powder from the hopper. So it's not mechanical or electrical, it still relies on air pressure.
[quote="ed1966ss"]
Why wouldn't the small hose you describe as a pressure relief also let powder escape? Is there a membrane covering the end that extends into the powder?
Like Juan said, some air/powder can escape from the relief hose on the top and it does not have a membrane on it. It does not go into the powder itself in the hopper. So if powder is coming out of it, there's too much psi in the hopper. The powder pump tube is bigger and sucks the powder out when the trigger is pulled with a venturi effect and is closer to the bottom of the hopper.
I glued it down because I didn't want any powder to get in the sides or underneath the membrane. I was thinking that it would be easier to clean. So far I really like this hopper.
Just for informational purposes, there is an adhesive made specially for gluing in the membrane.
I tried this glue with not very good results. It seemed like the membrane would just soak up the glue and not hold it together. It looked and smelled just like super glue. That is why i used the 2 part epoxy. I have to give all the credit to BeeBob for the idea of this hopper. Thank you BeeBob. I am going to make another hopper just for clear.
What is the advantage of a pump over a vacuum system? Looking at both the true hopper and the one built for the hobby gun... If both have a membrane with metered air from the bottom they both basically suck the powder out of the container, right? Doesn't that make it a true fluidized hopper?
I was thinking on the design. With air from the bottom through the membrane you'd get a nice fluffy container of powder. Pull the trigger and the gun would shoot extra air to the hopper to offset what was being vacuumed out creating a good powder flow. At least that's how it looks in my head. I may have to order a membrane to play with. How durable are the membranes?
Looking at the diagram i understand the primary air line is what is creating the venturi, what i don't understand is the secondary air line, what is it's purpose? is it just to increas the air/powder flow to the gun? I am thinking of building one of these so im just trying to get all my ducks in a row..
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