Glass Beads and Dispensers
Note: these archives were compiled from past Parking Lot Planet Forums.
The answers and opinions are those of the posters. Things may have changed
since then, so be sure to get up to date information from the
current Parking Lot Planet forum
Drop Spreader
Graco Bead
Dispenser
Using Beads
Drop
Spreader
From: RandyV
Date: 12/8/99 10:53:52 AM
You mentioned quite some time ago that you had designed a drop spreader that
mounts on the Graco. In your last e-mail (exactly a year ago) you said you were
re-designing it using sign blanks for the hopper and you only had to drill one
hole in the gun trigger to activate your gate. If you have pictures or design
drawings I would sure appreciate seeing your ideas. You can e-mail me at
RandyV686@aol.com
Thanks Randy
From: jpanz
Date: 12/8/99 2:25:55 PM
Sorry about that. After looking into redesigning the gun part, I decided that I
could not regulate the amount of beads that came out. And because I do not want
to end up in a lawsuit because there were not enough beads, I decided to finally
breakdown and buy the Graco dispenser. In between I changed around a drop
spreader that also worked great.
If you come to the show, I will bring one of the guns I
made so you can see what it looks like. Its not hard to make.
Jim
Graco Bead Dispenser
From: jpanz
Date: 9/10/00 9:55:36 PM
If anyone has to use glass beads, the Graco Dispenser is worth the money. I just
used it for the first time and did not have one problem with it (except in
mounting it, Graco has a lot to learn in retro fitting onto the old
machines) As someone said a while ago, the only bad point is that it is hard to
see the tip of the gun. But other than that its well worth it for less then
$600.00.
Jim
From: City
Date: 9/10/00 11:20:17 PM
Forget all those "I make dispenser myself joes" I second your motion, that
dispenser can lay an even reflective line worth braggin about. Butt.... you're
right on about not seeing that spray tip, takes some getting used too. When I’m
not spraying beads I use that hopper to hold my tape measure , magazines, beers
etc... ya know?
From: MCS Parking Lot Marking & Design
Date: 9/11/00 1:00:10 PM
Are you serious? The only comment I have for the GRACO dispenser is that it
beats spreading the beads by hand.
I found that the dispenser has a hard time feeding the
beads into the tube(s), especially when the hopper is full. It dispenses just
fine when 1/2 full or less.
I would complain about the this part of the set-up if the
unit only cost $200.
Like I said... it beats spreading the beads by hand. When I
was in TN doing a mall there the maint. manager said that's what the last
company did. UGH!!! Over 4 miles of double strips... can you imagine?
From: broncobilly
Date: 9/11/00 4:28:51 PM
You'll get accustomed to striping "blind" with the dispenser in your view rather
quickly. However, anyone else having problems keeping a steady flow of beads(I
shortened the tube, that made it a little better. I was thinking of raising the
hopper a couple inches also). Lastly, anyone think of a way to keep beads from
constantly leaking?
From: RandyV
Date: 9/12/00 8:06:44 AM
Our experience with leaking beads happens when the gate gets paint mist on the
foam seal then debris or beads get stuck there. Just a simple cleaning or
replacement of the foam solves the problem - - you have to do maintenance to
keep your equipment working properly.
On feeding of beads from the hopper to the dispensers,
keeping the hoses as vertical as possible is essential as is keeping the beads
100% dry. If you don't do these two things, you WILL have problems.
I love the Graco bead dispensor and would not consider
building my own - it is a well thought out piece of equipment and set up
properly works great.
From: Cormac
Date: 9/12/00 8:15:17 AM
Jim, an interesting note in bead application. As you know the bead disp. is
about 6" behind the airless tip. If you just let go of the actuation lever, as
you normally would, you miss the last few inches of the painted line. A trick is
to "feather" the gun into the off position which will turn the beaders off last.
You can see this by slowly squeezing the trigger and you will notice the beads
turn on first before the paint and the paint shuts off before the beads. You can
use this feature to finish beading the last 4-5 inches of the line.
Using Beads
From: Don
Date: 9/12/00 7:30:41 AM
All the talk about bead dispensers has me curious. I guess you guys frequently
use beads on parking lots. Around here that's almost unheard of, we use them
mostly for street type work. The reason being there's always loose beads left on
the lot, which are very slippery. How do you guys pick up the excess? (If you
blow them you just move the problem) Or who has the liability for the slip &
falls if your customer spec's beads?
From: RandyV
Date: 9/12/00 8:09:52 AM
The only place I've seen the requirement for beads on
parking lots is on the center lines for ring roads around malls, stop bars and
entrance/exit markings (ie arrows, lane dividers etc.). We have never put beads
on any other lines in a parking lot.
From: City
Date: 9/12/00 12:40:15 PM
I have not yet run into a situation where beads are required but have decided to
add it to my striping service. I have been successful in selling the customer on
the idea especially when their lot is dimly lit.
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