Gun questions..

[Guest]

Hello all. I've been lurking here for a while. Tonight I finally joined up. I'm blown away by the work everyone is doing. Very serious talent here. The reason I joined is because I've decided to buy a powder coat gun, and I'm here for research. My needs are simple. I'm not starting a business. I have enough of my own stuff that needs done to warrant buying a gun. I may end up doing little projects, but I don't intend to start a powder coating shop. If I did, I'd buy a professional system then. For now, I just need a decent hobby set-up. I have the blasting and oven covered.

When I first got this idea in my head, I was drawn to the low low price of the Craftsman type gun. I figured $99, can't go wrong. But my research is showing me most folks prefer the guns using air, which is fine, I have a compressor. But what is the right gun for me? I can't imagine I need an $800 outfit. Of course, I want to spend as little as possible, but I'll spend what I have to in order to get decent equipment. I've spent most of my adult life as a motorcycle mechanic so I know the value of good tools. The Eastman Hotcoat seems pretty popular. Does it live up to the hype? What about other systems?
It will be mostly for motorcycle parts, maybe some household type stuff so I can justify the purchase to the wife.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

My 2 cents...

The Harbor Freight unit is a great deal for under 100 bucks if you're only looking to do a few personal parts like brackets, small covers, etc.

For just over 200 bucks you have the Caswell HV gun. This is the exact same gun with a better "electrical unit" that allows you to adjust the KV between 30 and 50.

I've had experience with both guns and can vouch for the Caswell although the HF got me by for a few weeks without any major issues.

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

I have the Craftsman airless gun, EW hobby gun, and the Caswell 50kv gun. I also have the King Coat gun. They all do a good job. The capabilites changes with each gun. Starting out any of the first three I mentioned is a good gun.

Welcome to the forum and let me know If I can help out. You'll find everyone here will help all they can.

Harley

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

Thanks guys. Hjeades, can you offer some pros and cons of the guns you mentioned? Why would I choose the EW over the Craftsman or vice versa? Of the first three you mentioned, which is your favorite and why?

Juan, why is the adjustable Kw an advantage? When would I not want to use full power?

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

So based on that, the Caswell is looking to be the way to go. No? In that price range I mean.

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

My favorite gun is the King Coat gun actually next would be the EW gun. I do like and use all accordingly. I couldn't add anything to what HD said on kv's because he covered it all. Money wise the Caswell gun is a great buy. In my opnion theres not much difference between the Craftsman gun or the EW gun as far as spraying goes. I do think the EW gun does offer more versatility over the Craftsman gun. Big plus with Caswell and the EW hobby gun are, their not being discontinued like the Craftsman gun. You yourself need to decide what you are going to coat and how far into this will you go. I have so many guns because I kept fallin in farther as I realized how much I like doing this. Hindsight would of help me and I would of bought accordingly. Hope this helps.

Harley

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

Wow hjeades, you just threw a big monkey wrench at me. I had decided to buy the Caswell, but you're sayng you like the EW hobby gun better? Why do you prefer the EW even though the Caswell is adjustable? Obviously the King Coat is better than any of them, but that is above and beyond my needs. Like I said, my needs are caual, but I can see me using it alot. I have 6 motorcycles, all of them needing various bit coated. One of them is currently torn down to the frame getting a complete restoration. It needs a LOT of parts coated. Aside from that, I'm always tinkering with something, bulding something or rebuilding something. This isn't a tool that will just sit in a cabinet, it will be used. One thing that draws me to the Caswell is the foot control leaving my other hand free. What about the difference in cup placment on the 2 different guns? Does that come in to play? I may be over thinking this, but theres nothing worse than buying something then finding out later you should have bought something different.

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

I started with the EW hobby gun still use for clears/high temp and prob. will get another $160/kit

Then I got the EW Pro Gun-Returned it for a refund $650/kit. nuff said

Finally i ran across a few people with the Chinese Gun/Ebay Gun for $700
I decide to try it and i think its the best gun so far from my experience does everything i need it to do KV's go from bout 10-80 I think.
I pretty much do all Sportbike parts with amazing results, So i would suggest do your research and buy what u think will be the best bang for the buck eventually you will need/have at least 2 guns. For the price i think the caswell gun would be a good choice. I didnt buy cause i read some good/bad bout it and @ the time everything was good bout the ebay gun.
Good luck and welcome

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

Will I need 2 guns just to make color changes easier, or do I need 2 guns because you can't shoot certain powders out of a gun you use with other powders? I have no problem with the prospect of someday buying a second gun. I don't even have a problem with the notion that I may spend $700-$800 on my second gun. But I want my first gun to be cheaper than that just to be sure I'm going to get the useage I think I will from it. I'm thinking my first gun should be $300 or below. That sort of seems to be the "hobby" cut off. I'm not a pro, not going to be a pro. $300 for private use seems like a good round number. If I get a hobby set-up, and a few friends want to kick me a few buck to coat their crap, then once those few buck add up to $700, I'll look at a higher end gun.

[Auto-Cycle PC]

Re: Gun questions..

Keep in mind with your purchase all the guns mentioned besides the King gun are considered disposable guns after their warranty expires. I have owned or used every one of them except the EW hobby gun and they all have good and bad about them.

[Guest]

Re: Gun questions..

I'm ok with that. So long as it lasts long enough for me to coat some stuff and decide if I'll be doing enough of it to make a larger investment worth it. Although, I am thinking now that if I already know the gun I buy won't be my last gun, why bother spending $300 if I'm only going to use it a year. I'm thinking EW Hobby or even *shutter* Harbor Freight gun may be the way to go for temp set-up. Let me ask this, what are you gaining with the higher Kw system? I see the Caswell set-up is 50kw max on the adjustable model, but only 15kw on the non-adjustable version. If I do cheap out, which I hate to do on a tool, will I notice the lack of power?

Gosh, what a choice. I usually don't spend so much time deciding on a tool, but I'm just so ignorant of powder coating, I'm trying to ask lots of questions so I'm informed before I buy. You guys are being very helpful, thanks a ton.

[wiseguyz]

Re: Gun questions..

The biggest difference you'll notice with the adjustable and higher kv guns is the ease in doing second coats. The lower voltage guns will still do them, but may take some work on technique or require preheating the parts a bit to get the powder to stick.