Bench Top Sandblasters

[pirate]

I have the need for a small bench top sandblasting cabinet for cleaning up small parts for restoring and building a car.I need something to remove rust and paint to provide a good surface for priming and repainting. I have used one of the portable units with the plastic hopper attached and aside from the mess it makes it also doesn't do a very good job. I only have a compressor capable of 6.5 CFM and realize that is a big limitation for sandblasting. I do have access to a 80 gallon compressor system which is one of the reasons I like the portability of the bench top cabinets.

Is there really a lot of difference between say the Dee Blast Model #3020 at over $300.00 (requires 5.5 cfm) to the Cambell Hausfeld MXS30000AV at half the cost? Or for that matter the Clarke, Summit, Harbor Freight etc. models at just over a hundred dollars. I'm willing to spend the extra dollars if the product is worth the cost and have been told the actual gun unit itself is what matters most and maybe that is where the dollars are.
Anyone have a benchtop unit and willing to share their thoughs and experience? Thanks, as I know there is a lot of good advise out there.

 

[Speargun]

I have the HF cabinet & it works fine.
Just remember that you will need to add a light and hook up a shop vac to keep down the dust.

 

[Hatman52]

Check out TP Tools. www.tptools.com I bought their full-size 780TL before Christmas and found them very knowledgable and helpful. They offer a benchtop Clarke cabinet (import) for $159. Tell them your compressor specs and see what they have to say.

 

[Kona Cruisers]

watch craigslist, I bought a new bench top for 25$ the guy never used it.

 

[Junkman]

dude watch craigslist, I bought a new bench top for 25$ dude never used it.

dude????????? dude????????

–noun
1. a man excessively concerned with his clothes, grooming, and manners.
2. Slang. fellow; chap.
3. a person reared in a large city.
4. Western U.S. an urban Easterner who vacations on a ranch.

 

[Kona Cruisers]

dude removed...

 

[pirate]

Any other suggestions?

 

[pirate]

One of the bench top sand blast cabinets I am looking at uses 5.5 CFM which my small compressor can keep up with. The real question is what kind of performance does that equal? Will I be blasting forever to remove a light coat of rust or paint? Those that have used these small units what kind of parts did you blast and what was the results and performance.

 

[Hatman52]

The effeciency of media blasters depend on the media and the air pressure/volume. Most media blasters offer different nozzle sizes based on the air available. You'll use a much smaller nozzle on a 6.5 cfm compressor than you would on a compressor with 20 cfm. The smaller the nozzle, the smaller the media blast area. Hence, it takes longer to strip parts with a smaller nozzle.

Various blast media provide different levels of "agressiveness". More aggressive media will clean parts more quickly, but will leave a more coarse surface and will induce more heat (and possible distortion) into parts.

The size of the cabinet really only affects the size of the part you can fit in it.

You'll also find with a small compressor you'll spend a lot of time, even with a small nozzle, waiting for the compressor to catch up. Also, don't forget you need clean, dry air for your cabinet. Factor in the cost of a good particulate filter, regulator, and coalescing filter.

If you're looking to occassionally blast nuts and bolts, small chassis or suspension bits, you'll probably be happy with a benchtop blaster and a small compressor. If you're looking to blast larger items or use it often, then you're probably going to want to look at a larger blast cabinet and compressor.

I will repeat my recommendation to call TP Tools and speak with them directly. I would guess they are the largest seller of hobbyist-level media blasters in the US, and I've found their customer service to be first rate. They know their stuff.

 

[pirate]

Thanks, appreciate your advice and knowlegble answer. I will call the folks you suggested.

 

[GarageDreamer]

watch craigslist, I bought a new bench top for 25$ the guy never used it.

I second that I grabbed a fullo size version for 180...