DIY fluid bed?

snookin4 · #1 (**permalink**) December 27th, 2003

I saw the other past on this but, does anyone have plans/instructions to make their own Fluid bed for powder paint? I haven't seen one up close, but they just look like a chamber to allow air through the bottom of the paint. Seems like you could just rig up an air chamber and create your own size one. I was thinking that a coffee filter may even work as the membrane for air to pass through.
I'm just curious if anyone has tried this.

WidowMaker · #2 (**permalink**) December 28th, 2003

I would seriously like to build my own fluid bed. I think it would need to be about 4in x 18in and 3in deep. I will not be doing jigheads any smaller than 1/8 oz. and no larger than 7/8 oz. Not unless i need to do some of the 1 1/2 oz. Do-It Style"9"Shad Head Jigs.

If im not mistaken the amount of paint only needs to be deep enought to cover the collar of the jig. So if i have a fluid bed that is actually capable of holding 3 inches of powder would it still be okay if i only use two inches of powder paint.

What about the powder settling into and "clogging" the pourous material in the bottom of the fluid bed. Cavu is experiencing this type of problem. One solution he came up with was to try and use compressed air and blow the powder back out of the material. He commented that he would report back and let us know how it worked once he tried it.

topher · #3 (**permalink**) January 13th, 2004

I think that 2 inches would be sufficient, what I did at first is turn on the air, and then pour in my powder, this way you won't get too much. If you have to get three inches of coverage depth wise, you should make your bed atleast 4 inches depth to avoid spillage.

I think that itf you bought the screens that they were talking about in the other fluid bed forum page 2, you could cut one in half, and put the 2 together, you would have a great size for doing a couple of rows of big jigs, 3 of small.

Fat Ratz · #4 (**permalink**) January 13th, 2004

I finally got all my material together to make me a fluid bed approx. 10"x10". When I get it together I will send some pics. Found a vibrator motor I am going to try and see if it works.

topher · #5 (**permalink**) January 14th, 2004

I don't even use the vibrator on mine. Just air.

Terry Anderson · #6 (**permalink**) January 14th, 2007

Wasn't there some pics/formula posted on here for a single dip bed? I had some 4" PVC and made a bed in about 10 minutes. Problem was, the pump for a 30 gallon tank did not produce enough pressure to float the powder. I dialed down my compressor and got some better results, but wouold still like to get a formula from one of you...PLEASE?

donkjc2 · #7 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2007

I put some pictures of mine on my website for another forum. They are on the tournament page. I can further explain them if you need me to. www.rockbottomlures.com

microtek60 · #8 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2007

I just made my first fluid bed out of 3'' pvc my question is did I buy a big enough pump or should I go bigger? I got the Elite 799 it is for 5 gallon aquariums.

donkjc2 · #9 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2007

Mine is the elite 801. I'm not sure how big of a tank mine is for. Anyone of them should work.

PaBasser · #10 (**permalink**) January 20th, 2007

I want to thank donkjc2 with all your help on the fluid bed building process. It took me awhile to get it. I guess ( I`m thick headed at times)

I`m going to build my own fluid bed tomorrow. Only one more question, How big does the lexan have to be ?
I see in your pictures it sticks way out past the fluid bed.
Thanks, PaBasser