Look, if you’re in the thick of a powder coating shop, you know the drill: move those parts smoothly from loading to coating, curing, and unloading. And trust me, a solid parts rack is your best friend in this dance. I know a lot of cheapos that try to use junk solutions but this is not something to scrimp on.
It’s just a badass metal rack on wheels where you hang the parts with hooks. Simple, but damn crucial. Here’s my two cents on building the perfect rack:
- Forget Those Fancy-Ass Wheels: You need wheels that can handle the hellfire of 400°F day in, day out. Stick with cast steel or aluminum. Those ball-bearing ones? They crap out on you when things get hot. And avoid those nylon and resin types – they’re a pain to clean, and they screw with the grounding.
- Big Wheels for the Win: Smaller wheels clog up with powder like nobody’s business. Go for 6” or bigger. They’re easier to clean and handle loads way better. Save yourself the headache of wheels that act drunk when loaded.
- Frame’s Gotta Be Solid: Use angle iron or square tube stock for a sturdy frame. And hey, sharp corners and clean edges? They’re gold for grounding with the hooks.
- T-Racks Rule: T-shaped racks keep parts from smacking into the frame and make life easier for the dude spraying. Just ensure your welds are strong, and you brace those 90° angles.
- Know Your Spray Zone: The best coating happens between 2’ and 6’ off the ground. That’s the sweet spot for spraying without needing yoga moves or a ladder. Keep parts in this zone for the best finish.
- Mind Your Oven: Hanging parts between 2’ and 6’ is also the sweet spot in most ovens. If parts are too close to the oven floor or ceiling, you’re asking for trouble. Either they won’t cure right, or they’ll overbake.
- Removable Bars are Life: Your hanging bars will get dirty. If you can remove them for cleaning, you’re golden. And square tubing? That’s easier to clean than round stuff or angle iron.
- Size Freakin’ Matters: Don’t make a monster rack that can’t turn or fit where you need it. Make sure it has room to move, and there’s space for the operator inside the booth.
- Grounding Ain’t a Joke: Don’t just rely on your cart’s wheels for grounding. Weld a sturdy grounding tab to the cart. And keep the damn thing clean. Good grounding saves you time and cash in the long run.
- Don’t Cheap Out on Racks: Some shops act like racks are made of gold. They ain’t. Once you nail a design, get a bunch of them. Having plenty of racks keeps things moving smooth and fast.
So, there you have it. Building a solid rack isn’t rocket science, but it’s crucial for a smooth operation. And if you’re still scratching your head, just give Reliant a shout, those guys know what the hell they are doing. I took a lotta this article from their blog. Good luck dummies!
