just curious as to if the smaller powder coating machines are any good. something like the one's that Chicago Electric makes. i know they wouldn't work for large parts. but would they work well for small things like intakes, brackets, and such?

I own the craftsman cordless/compressorless powder coater. For small time stuff it is perfect!

easy to learn to use? work good enough to use on an intake? i figure i can spend $250 to have it done at a shop or spend $150 or so on a basic system and do it myself. just curious as to how well it worked. got any pictures of stuff you have done with it?

unfortunatley no pics sorrry. I does work well though. The only problem comes when trying to cure stuff. 1. you have to have an extra elec oven and 2. you can only do stuff that fits in that oven (unless you spend $600 on the infa-red cure thing...)

I use the original one from Eastwood. I do car and Harley parts. The stuff I have done for the bikes looks like it was done by a pro.

I just did 2 TPI setups and they came out great.

TPI

i think i will be buying myself a present as soon as Uncle Sam gives me my tax return

buy good quaity powder. Its just like paint. You have macco and you have good ppg or house of kolor.

Ive used em all. eastwood powder to 3m,dupont etc.

for little stuff you should be fine with a eastwood,sears,chicago gun. They waste a ton of powder but do a decent job for diy kits.

DO NOT use the oven you eat out of.
PRE BAKE aluminum at a higher temp then the powder cures at to "OUT GAS it" pull it outa the oven let it get down to around 120* then start shooting the powder on.