I built a oven as well from a Husky 36x72 cabinet. Filled it with unfaced fiberglass and 3 smoker elements running to a controller then to my 220v.
I’ve done tons of Moto frames, wheels, etc… I’m using a Redline EZ50 powder gun.
I’ll get some pics up eventually!
It occurs to me that a surplus/tag sale metal supply cabinet could work nicely based on your build experience. Those are often available cheap or even free. I hadn’t thought of that when I built mine (electric smoker based).
I just built mine from 2x4 metal studs from HD. Ordered a PID and heating element from Amazon. Skinned it with 22g galvanized metal and used rockwool insulation. Runs on 220v. I think I have maybe $350-400 total.
Inside measures 20" deep/ 28"wide/ 40" tall Retail prices are insane.
The key to powder coating is all in the prep.
Degrease, blast, gasout, coat
I’ve been ordering from Prismatic because of selection and pricing. Seems to work so far
What is this?
Looks like my next shop installment is an oven…
But I may be very lucky that they are decommissioning the cafeteria in our building and I might get an oven free
Gas out is the step before applying powder to a piece. After you sandblast a piece you place it in the oven for 30-40 min at 300-400 deg to burn off any oils or solvents that would be still trapped in the metals. After you gasout, let the part cool then apply powder. Its important to not touch the piece with bare hands after sandblasting as to not add back any oiks from your hands etc… wear latex gloves.
If any oils weep out, soak/wipe in acetone or simple green and repeat gasout process until no more oils weep.
When I cerakote rifle barrels, esp older ones. I may have to do this process 2 or 4 times due to years of oil applications. New steel should be good on one process normally.
Cast metal is notoriously dirty as well.
Oh yeah mate degas is so critical. Especially aluminums I’ve noticed.
I learned alot today…thanks guys
Typically outgassing isn’t necessary unless it’s a cast part, or a part that was used with oil or some other chemical. Brand new mild steel, aluminum, or stainless, I find I never have to outgas. Simply sandblast, blown off then coat.
Im just starting in this powdercoating thing, I have my buddy thats a certified electrician coming tomorrow to hook up my house oven which well do for the time being, but im thinking the bigger my over, the bigger projects I can do. so ive been looking into maybe building this
setup. it has step by step instructions so its really helpful.
Does anyone have any tips to reduce the amount of time it takes to sandblast? Seems that some of the metal I’ve bought is easy and others are a bear…
Are you blasting hold rolled steel with a mil scale on it?
Yes I think so which is most common hot or cold
The last piece I bought looked like it had a brushed finish on one side and it took forever to blast.
Hot rolled is typically the most common and blasting will take forever to remove. I typically use a clean and strip grinder disc from Empire Abrasive on the metal after I cut it on the table. That takes the mil scale off, then I will blast it
Its hot rolled
I drop it in a vinegar bath overnight and rinse & wipe it down the next day. With the Pro I’m able to cut bigger pieces more frequently (since I don’t have to design to index it on the table) so I’m going to have to find a bigger container - I have been using a Sterilite underbed flat plastic box since I don’t need a lot of height, just area.
cut piece an drop in vinegar bath overnight. Comes out clean. Can also use muriatic (pool acid). Works in 15 min. but highly toxic fumes.
My dad had a brown glass bottle of muriatic acid in his garage when I was growing up. The metal cap rusted through and everything within 10 feet of that bottle rusted over. I’ll try the vinegar…
Got them soaking now…
Sodium bisulfate, swimming pool ph minus works well. It is granular you mix with water, it’s an acid just not quite as caustic as muratic acid.