jmullok Posted December 13, 2007 Report Share Posted December 13, 2007 First off, this is an unbelievable site and resource for us just getting into this addictive hobby. Thank you. Second, I have a question on building a fluid bed. I am making a 3" fluid bed. I have purchased the PVC, air pump, lines... My question is what are you all using to attach the air line to the bed itself? I have seen numerous pitcures of different beds and they all look like brass fittings. I have searched everywhere for them or something similar with no luck. I am assuming as I walk the isles of the hardware store I am looking in the wrong sections. Any help would be appreciated. Third, I just finished my first crank tonight (thanks to you all and this site) and I will post some pics later. ( I paint like a 3 year old ) Again thanks for this site!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted December 14, 2007 Report Share Posted December 14, 2007 The brass fitting is for water line valve, for your ice maker on your fridge. just drill a hole in the pvc and screw it in. The point of using the valve is so you can control the air flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmullok Posted December 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Hey guys thanks for the info on this, my fluid bed is up and running great. Special thanks to Cadman for the detailed instructions. Now my next question is how do I get powder paint off my wifes spoons (SHHHHH LOL). I had to practice on something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Jason if you didn't bake them in a toaster oven, you can dip the spoons in acetone, or paint stripper, and it shoul come of pretty esy. However, I don't think I would eat with those anymore. It's just the principal of the fact that you are going to put those spoons in your mouth. If you baked the paint on, you can use the same process, except you may have to leave it in the acetone a little longer, or apply several coats of paint stripper. I always tell anyone that wants to learn how to apply powder paint, is to use stove bolts, round head screws, or hex head bolts. The steel bolts are pretty cheap, and you can throw them away when you're done. If you really want to get fancy, you can practice on sheet metal or aluminum. I was bored one day:yawn: , and I was tired of trying to figure out what valve was for hot water, and which one was for cold water. So I took the valve handles off, and powder painted the hot one red, and the cold one blue. Actually they came out really nice after I baked them. Now I don't have to guess which one is which for the wash machine. So many things you can do with powder paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Ted, You are rapidly become one of the best sources on the Fluid Bed design and construction. You might want to share your knowledge in a tutorial. It would serve as both a "How-To" and get everyone at the same reference point. Com' on Dude, you know your the go-to-guy on this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishpocalypse Posted December 26, 2007 Report Share Posted December 26, 2007 Trying to get my own home made bed working. What size pump are you guys running?? i.e. 20 gal 40 gal 100 gal...? Or other? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted December 26, 2007 Report Share Posted December 26, 2007 I had a 60 Gal lying around that works okay... The in-line water valve discussed above is how you adjust the air flow in the cup. It works Very Well, I also own cadman a debt of thanks for the design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishpocalypse Posted December 27, 2007 Report Share Posted December 27, 2007 Thanks Spike, going to find a bigger one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HookUp Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I also own cadman a debt of thanks for the design. Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbor Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 I built 2 but have not used them yet. I got a large compression fitting(2"), cut it in 2 and epoxied it to a piece of plexi. The fittings were from the plumbing section of home depot, easy to find right next to the tubing. I did have to spin the nut part on the lathe to make a groove for the 2" coupler mounted on top to keep the diameter the same throughout and then epoxied to the nut also. I wanted to try end make it easy to change membrane materials if needed and eliminate leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncleskippy Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 What material are you using for the membrane for the paint cup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishpocalypse Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Right now I am using a paper bag. I'm not getting the simmering effect as seen in the professional models, but it's letting air through evenly enough that I can still shake the cup and get a water like effect. I've seen posts that other people are using common items like coffee filters and allergenic pillow cases. Some are ordering quality membranes, I'm not sure from where. Good luck, let us know what works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmullok Posted January 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 I am using paper bags also. It seems to be working fine. I am looking for PVC lids so I can just leave the powder in the cups; been to Lowes and Home Depo but can't seem to find them. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 The pvc lids are called test caps. They are used in abs plumbing (drain pipe in your house). When the house is plumbed the caps are glued to the end of the pipe then air presher is added if there is any loss in presher the find the leak with sope. They work good and have a little handle on them. ask for abs test cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 PS the paper bag is still the best thing I have used. Better than the pillow case and the coffee filter. However I have not tried the membrane material. The cost was to high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Kelly, I have a couple of the membrane filters that I replaced with paper. I'll send you one if you want to try it. TJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Sounds like you just answered that question of what one is better. Thank you but I will stick to my paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thill Posted January 21, 2008 Report Share Posted January 21, 2008 Man, I should have looked here first! I just read that a great fluid bed membrane is a piece of canvas with several layers of coffee filter on top. Please understand that I'm just starting the process of building my own bed, so this is merely hearsay. -TH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
