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I use blocks of packing foam (the squishy kind) with strips of masking tape for writing on.  No static buildup as far as I know, and you can re-use them over and over.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Anti-Static-Antistatic-ESD-Conductive-HD-Foam-127x228mm-/270618243429?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item3f021ab165#ht_500wt_1180
Purchased!  Thanks Haberdasher.  I'm pretty sure it was you who mentioned the possible static problems of polystyrene.  So double thanks 

I do the lowest height component (usually resistors or diodes) first, stick them all in the PCB, put it on a piece of wood flat, flip it, solder them all and snip the legs.

I really mean before this stage.  To order all your parts before they go into the PCB. 

Expanded polystyrene and a vivid marker pen?

I started doing this but heard you can get a static build up that doesn't do the components any good.  Have you not found this to be the case?

Just wondering if anyone had any tips for holding and organising their components for a new build?

I currently print off a sheet of paper that lists all the required parts, tape it to a strip of cardboard, go through my parts box to find the corresponding component then push the legs of the part through the paper and into the cardboard. This works pretty well in keeping things organised but the only problem I have is that the cardboard is a little difficult to puncture with the components legs and they sometimes bend in the process.  Not a massive problem but I was just wondering if anyone else had a more ingenious method?

Thanks.

Your hemorrhoids are flaring up again, eh?

Ahh.. I thought you meant you used the wire and tape on the gun somehow.  Ha.

Thanks for the help (and insults)!

You fight like a dairy farmer!

How appropriate, you fight like a cow!

Ha ha.  Best game ever!

What do you use the stainless steel wire and heat resistant tape for?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I might give the Craftsman gun a try.  I've found a seller on ebay.com that ships to the UK.  It's strange that powder coating isn't seen as a commercial painting option in the UK.

Cheers!

Very useful info!  Much appreciated.

Nothing's ever cheap is it!? Ha.

I'll check out Harbour Freight but I think shipping to the UK will prove costly for a compressor.  Should hopefully be able to find U.K equivalents.

So here's my shopping list so far.

Paint Gun
Air Compressor
Air Hose
Air Gun
Connectors
Thread Tape
Paint
Spare Bottles
Oven
Makeshift Painting Booth


Think I'm good to go 

Thanks again!

Hey hey.
I've been reading through Fastocker's ace powder coating tutorial and have been writing a shopping list.  I have noted down that I need a small air compressor but have realised I have no idea what that means. Please can someone point me out a suitable compressor? Is there a certain type of connector I need to be looking for or are they all much of a muchness?   Thanks guys.

That's a great idea thanks!

I'm struggling to find a 5kC slide pot.  I've found this lot on Mouser http://uk.mouser.com/Passive-Components/PotentiometersTrimmers-Rheostats/Slide-Potentiometers/_/N-9q0yl/ but I can't work out if there's a 5kC among them.  Mouser's stock pages still a bit mind boggling to me.

Thanks Fastocker,  that's all great info.  Think I'll forget sandblasting and get hold of some of the Eastwood degreaser.

I have a small outdoor space so was planning on building a booth to do the powder coating in.  I need to get saving first but thought I'd do some asking around before buying anything.

Thanks for all the help!

I thought about it, but the most complicating part would be cutting the rectangular hole in the enclosure. The pots might cost a little more too

I wondered about this but could you not just use a metal router (and a steady hand)?

they're also harder to mount since most smaller sliding pots are board mounted. you may be able to find some screw mounted type though. you'll have to search.

Good point.  I suppose you could some how glue it in place to the underside of the emclosure?  Hmm... I'll have a think.

With them being board mounted can you 'convert' them so you don't have to actually attach them to the board i.e run jumpers from each lug to the board.

They tend to go scratchy faster than rotary pots as well, since the track is exposed through the slot on the top of the potentiometer itself.

I got told a useful tip for transporting mixers by the man at Jansen NZ once -- move all the sliding pots to the top, since they are almost never used wide open in that position, and if they jiggle about and wear the track in transit it won't matter in that position.

Another good point (and tip)!

Thanks guys!

Has anyone ever used a sliding potentiometer in a pedal?  I'm going to build a boost pedal and thought that a slide pot might work well instead of a normal rotary one. 

Just a thought!

Would you recommend Inkscape over Adobe Illustrator? 

In case anyone else is looking I found these suppliers in the uk.

http://www.frost.co.uk/automotive-paint/hotcoat-powder-coating-gun.html

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=12359

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eastwood-Hot-Coat-Powder-Coating-Gun-BRAND-NEW-10198-/140735575007?pt=UK_Body_Shop_Supplies_Paint&hash=item20c47e73df

They're all ver £100 but that seems as cheap as we're going to get it on this side of the pond.

Out gassing?  That's a new one to me.  I'll do some googling but do you care to expand?  Also is there a specific kind of degreaser to use or would this kind of thing work? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-Engine-Degreaser-Cleaner-Removes-Oil-Grease-Dirt-For-Car-Van-Lorry-/120886869813?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item1c256b3f35