Upgrading blast cabinet. Couple of questions.

[evintho]

I've got one of these cheapo blast cabinets..............................
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45411

It works adequately for what it is. Good for small parts, brackets, etc. I was considering buying this kit.........................
http://www.tptools.com/p/2320,18_USA-Cabinet-Gun-Upgrade-Kit.html

A bigger, better cabinet would be nice but it's not really needed.

Has anyone here upgraded their cheapo cabinets with the above kit? How did you like it? Was it worth the extra $$$? Any info is greatly appreciated!

[1320stang]

I would buy a seperate pressure blaster instead.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34202

[-lecroix-]

I've got one of these cheapo blast cabinets..............................
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45411

It works adequately for what it is. Good for small parts, brackets, etc. I was considering buying this kit.........................
http://www.tptools.com/p/2320,18_USA-Cabinet-Gun-Upgrade-Kit.html

A bigger, better cabinet would be nice but it's not really needed.

Has anyone here upgraded their cheapo cabinets with the above kit? How did you like it? Was it worth the extra $$$? Any info is greatly appreciated!

I have the same cabinet and YES, I have the TP Tools upgrade kit. Difference is night and day between it and the sorry pickup tube and gun that comes with the Harbor Freight cabinet. I also silicone caulked all the joints and rivets for a leak-free cabinet and replaced the light. Basically, the only thing left on the original cabinet is, well, the cabinet and the gloves.

P.S. get the right tips for your compressor ... it makes all the difference in the world in how the blaster works.

[evintho]

P.S. get the right tips for your compressor

Please explain???

Also, did you do anything about the seals on the side doors? I was thinking of installing household door weatherstrip. What'dya think?

[Charles (in GA)]

Depending on how many CFM's of airflow you have available, your tip size can be too big or too small. If you have too big a tip, the compressor will not be able to keep up and you will find yourself waiting on the tank to build back up. In addition, you will probably find yourself blasting with less than desirable pressure, and getting less than desired results. The quality of the blasting will start out OK and get poorer and poorer till you realize you need to quit and wait on the compressor. By then you have done a fairly sizeable area in a rather poor quality manner and will find yourself going back over it again and again to get everything you missed before.

If you go to a smaller tip, you are using less air, and the compressor can keep up, thus the pressure remains higher, and constant, and the quality of your blasting is better and more consistent. Of course, the downside is that you can only blast a smaller area, but all in all it will be a better job.

Get too small of a tip and you will not be able to blast a large area, and you will waste time trying to cover the part.

Charles

[evintho]

Thanks Charles! The medium tip is probably right for me. My home compressor puts out 18 CFM @ 90 psi but most of the time I do my blasting at work. Don't know the CFM but I'm sure it's enough. It's a pair of $80k rotary screws that power 35 huge mail processing machines!