New guy lookin for a gun

[simplytodd]

Whats up fellas? I'm completely new to powder coating(no experience what so ever). but I'm going to be opening a small shop. I'll be building an oven within the next couple weeks(8w-4d-6h). And I'm looking for a gun. Nothing i'm going to have trouble with also nothing extremely expensive. maybe around $1000-$1500. Any reccomendations would be appreciated

[FigureLLC]

i don't know of anything in that range, besides the redline alpha which vendors don't want to carry any more because of poor quality. it seems systems are either very inexpensive $100-200 or very expensive ~$4k. maybe start with an inexpensive to learn on while you keep an eye out for a used expensive at a reasonable price.

[simplytodd]

Thats a huge price difference. Yea I read some bad things about the RedLine gun, couple good as well,but mostly bad. Any other guns I should stay away from? I read an old post, from '04 I believe, about Caswell having a Pro gun for around a grand. Was that gun ever released? Is it actually possible to get quality results with a $200 setup? thanks again

[FigureLLC]

Originally Posted by simplytodd

Caswell having a Pro gun for around a grand. Was that gun ever released? Is it actually possible to get quality results with a $200 setup? thanks again

that was the redline alpha. we tried it and returned it. its my understanding that caswell stopped carrying them because they weren't living up to caswell's standards. i think the other vendors that were carrying the alpha (not sure about the other systems) have stopped as well for similar reasons.

the caswell $100 and $200 systems are a good starting point. they lack adjustments that the expensive units have, but you can still get professional results. they'll probably actually force you to learn techniques faster because of it. someone with experience using an inexpensive system could no doubt produce better results than an inexperienced person with an expensive system.

[holeshot87]

i have a redline pss 35 kv gun. i do alot of quads frames,rims ,a-arms etc. i never had a problem with it. i have had it for over a year now. i have also done second coats with out a problem. i think its a good gun but thats just my thought.

[simplytodd]

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'm going to go with the Caswell 50kv gun. It seems to get the most praise for the budget I am working with. thanks for the help guys