I have a good old ALC sandblaster. I need to do some soda blasting. ALC has a conversion kit. Around $180. From what I can tell, it's just made up on parts that you can piece together from Wal-Depot, for a fraction of the price. However, when searching the interwebs, I did find a post that suggests it does have a 3/32 orifice fitting (ceramic insert) at the top (where it screws into the bottom of the tank) to limit the amount of soda heading out the tank. That was a very old post. That, really, would be the only major change from my current manifold setup (other than adding a tee, valve, and purge hose). So, I'm asking if anyone here has that kit, can you verify the 3/32 orifice dealio? Also, I can't see why a 1/2" brass fitting (1/2" union) with a 3/32 orifice wouldn't accomplish the same thing (perhaps the brass orifice would wear out quicker, but, seriously....DIY use?). Anyway, if you have any insight specific to this kit, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
ALC Soda Blasting Conversion Kit for ALC media blaster. Needed? 3/32 Orifice?
- Thread starter deminimis
- Start date
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
To your point, why not Wal-Howes the parts with spares and start with 3/32", drilling if it's inadequate? I have only a suction feed small soda blaster, am pretty sure the pick up is not comparable in restriction size, and cannot answer further on that kit, and assume you've a larger gravity version. It would be hard to foul up.
joe_padavano
Well-known member
Years ago, Harbor Freight sold this exact kit for about $80. I bought it then. They have since stopped selling it for some reason. I put it on one of those cheap pressure blasters that HF and others sell. Works fine, though the soda occasionally clogs and you have to disassemble it to clean it out. I've often wondered about just piecing another one together. Instead of that fixed orifice, consider using a needle valve above the tee. That would let you adjust flow as needed. That open ended hose is useful for blowing out clogs.