I need to build blast cabinet.

air8 · Dec 9, 2018

So I've been using a modified Harbor Freight cabinet the past year. Added a foot pedal setup and flood lights as well. It has been perfect. But now I'm getting into parts that are up to 48" long and 18" wide.

I can fabricate a new cabinet but not sure about dimensions for the lower hopper.

Will a plain ol' pyramid calculator give me the dimensions? When using isosceles triangle math it seems the dimensions are different than I would expect. LoL. I'm going to find some big pieces of cardboard and mock up a hopper before buying sheet metal.

Right now I'm planning for a 60"x30" cabinet. Wondering if I'm starting on the wrong path figuring up this hopper?

dr_clyde · Dec 10, 2018

If I was in your shoes, I'd just use CAD (cardboard aided design). Just make a template in real life and pull your dimensions off the pattern.

If you're handy with solidworks or some other real CAD program, just do a lofted solid and measure the sides. If you really want to get fancy, you can export the flat .dxf right off the face for a laser or plasma.

bulletpruf · Dec 10, 2018

Didn't member @yaidunno build himself a nice blast cabinet? Probably worth checking out his thread for details and ideas. He does really nice work.

Bigblue&Goldie · Dec 10, 2018

This is obviously smaller than you are looking for, but TP Tools sells a set of plans for $10 (might help someone out reading this thread).

https://www.tptools.com/Build-Your-Own-Cabinet-Plans,337.html

69supercj · Dec 10, 2018

ducksface said:
There is almost no math to a hopper and certainly none I would when building one.
The sides are as steep as needed so the sand rolls off. That angle is a look up, on the internet if you can't just match the angle on your current blaster.
You're really over thinking it.

But whatever you do:
Bolt a vibrating pad sander to the side of the hopper.
You'll be glad you did.

So clue me in as to the benefits of the vibrating sander? Assuming it helps with keeping the media from caking up in the bottom?

69supercj · Dec 10, 2018

Here's one thing you might consider and thats reversing the air flow on the vac system and turning it into a positive pressure system as opposed to negative pressure. I mounted a small squirrel cage fan to what was my intake and then mounted an exhaust pipe to what was my vac hose mount and exited the dust outside the shop via a hole in the side. Works awesome!!!

95vette · Dec 10, 2018

Hello, However you build the cabinet be sure to leave bottom of hopper off floor far enough to get a five gallon bucket under it so you can sift rust and dirt out of the medium, also the pickup tube TPtools sells works very good in a blast cabinet. Jim

dkmc · Dec 10, 2018

Oh well..........I dunno about it being so dead simple with no math......
IF you want it to work right.
For the hopper bottom, you'll at least want to calculate the Angle Of Repose, to
be sure the media makes it's way to the bottom without hanging up....

Do a Google for Angle of Repose......and you shall learn

https://sciencing.com/calculate-angle-repose-6712029.html

Then there are other factors involved if you want to use a re-claimer.
Air volume, airflow, suction, etc.
A Blast Cabinet can be a box with a door and a blast gun. Or it can be an engineered unit that works the way you want it to.

driz · Dec 11, 2018

dr_clyde said:
If I was in your shoes, I'd just use CAD (cardboard aided design). Just make a template in real life and pull your dimensions off the pattern.

If you're handy with solidworks or some other real CAD program, just do a lofted solid and measure the sides. If you really want to get fancy, you can export the flat .dxf right off the face for a laser or plasma.

I like the CAD idea. I was using that long before they invented the personal computer. The program I preferred was and is called refrigerator box. It sure helps the novice tweak his ideas and save a pile of $ on mistakes and do overs. You can usually grub one up at appliance stores, big box stores or even landfills.

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I need to build blast cabinet.

air8

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dr_clyde

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bulletpruf

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Bigblue&Goldie

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69supercj

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69supercj

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95vette

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dkmc

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driz

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