Blasting cabinet - about to pull the trigger..

[BellyUpFish]

Looking at the TP Tools 780-TL.

It's going to run me ~$600 delivered..

I'm seconding guessing the purchase after rethinking whether or not I should just grab the HF unit and then upgrade it with the TP Tools upgrade. I'd have ~$300 in the setup..

I'd have to caulk the HF unit versus the plug and play claims of the 780..

Anyone?

 

[warren57]

Looking at the TP Tools 780-TL.

It's going to run me ~$600 delivered..

I'm seconding guessing the purchase after rethinking whether or not I should just grab the HF unit and then upgrade it with the TP Tools upgrade. I'd have ~$300 in the setup..

I'd have to caulk the HF unit versus the plug and play claims of the 780..

Anyone?

I used the harbor freight box ( a box is a box...) Caulked all the interior seams to prevent leakage (door had a good seal and latch) and upgraded the gun with the TP Tools. Works great!! Buy the HF box when they have their 20% off coupon. The calking takes all of 5 minutes...

 

[1982fxr]

hf is a pain in the *** to assemble...just sayin

 

[930dreamer]

I'd go with the TP Tools cabinet, have you looked a Dayton? (Graingers)

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I have the HF big one and didn't know I needed to caulk--but have no leaks. I use a vacuum though, so perhaps that helps. I do NOT use the gun that came with it, but added one of their 110# pressure tanks, and ran the hose through the air intake. Works great with significantly less CFM.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I'd go with the TP Tools cabinet, have you looked a Dayton? (Graingers)

I haven't. TP is right in my wheel house cost wise. Almost just bought it, but haven't decided.

$300 would be nice to pocket, but I don't wanna shake my head every time I use it. Buy once, cry one and all..

 

[930dreamer]

I haven't. TP is right in my wheel house cost wise. Almost just bought it, but haven't decided.

$300 would be nice to pocket, but I don't wanna shake my head every time I use it. Buy once, cry one and all..

I've seen some good deals on CL.

 

[mayday0017]

My harbor freight box didn't require any assembly... Is it a new vs old thing? I've had mine for about 10 years now. You can't disassemble mine either, it's one solid piece (believe it is spot welded)...

 

[BellyUpFish]

I've seen so good deals on CL.

I live in a relatively dead city in terms of Craigslist. Everything is 2+ hours away..

 

[fflintstone]

FWIW I couldnt bring myself to buy a HF blast cabinet.
I did have to travel 2 hours to get mine but i combined it with a trip to visit freinds and family.
my craigslist ***** for tools as well.
I did get it for less than an HF cabinet.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198361

 

[Midman914]

First off BellyUpFish, what am I looking at in your avatar? It's killing me. I just can't figure it out. Kind of looks like an airliner. Sorry about that. I have the Harbor Freight box. I got it for $100 off a buddy that just finished a restoration on a Chevelle. The thing still looks brand new. They're are out there to be had cheep second hand. It just takes time and patients. I see right now they are on sale for $209. That's kind of hard to beat for a new one. Where do you live? How strong is Craigslist in your area. If it's any good at all, one will pop up.

 

[ZRX61]

I have the larger TP960, couldn't be happier with it. The only *modification* after you get it set up is to stuff a piece of foam in the vent on the back of the cabinet so it can breath, without venting dust.

I've had mine at least 7 years & the only problem I had was my own fault when I was swapping parts over & left one out. Sorted within a minute by call to the guys at TP.

I also had a small HF bench top version, it sat unused for years & I eventually gave it away for free because it just wasn't worth the trouble to sort out.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I've seen some good deals on CL.

FWIW I couldnt bring myself to buy a HF blast cabinet.
I did have to travel 2 hours to get mine but i combined it with a trip to visit freinds and family.
my craigslist ***** for tools as well.
I did get it for less than an HF cabinet.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198361

I'm having a hard time doing it as well.. However, a few mods here and there, looks like it's a veritable option. The $300 I save could buy a few other things on the list.

I might have a hard time driving 2 hours, just lack motivation. I'm a big fan of letting the brown truck bring it to my house. LOL

I'll check out your thread.

First off BellyUpFish, what am I looking at in your avatar? It's killing me. I just can't figure it out. Kind of looks like an airliner. Sorry about that. I have the Harbor Freight box. I got it for $100 off a buddy that just finished a restoration on a Chevelle. The thing still looks brand new. They're are out there to be had cheep second hand. It just takes time and patients. I see right now they are on sale for $209. That's kind of hard to beat for a new one. Where do you live? How strong is Craigslist in your area. If it's any good at all, one will pop up.

It's a view from a Mitsubishi Mu2 I get to play with.

 

[Midman914]

Thank you for the clarification. Makes sense to me now. I love Mu2's. Such a bad *** looking plane. My dad wanted one but never pulled the trigger. He loved his Cherokee Six though. He always told me he was going to buy a Delorean. He never did. I think he just liked to mess with me. Some day I will get an American made cabinet, but until then this fits the bill and I can always unload for what I got it for, or have two set up for different media. Hope you figure out which one will suit your needs best.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Yeh, it's a fun plane to fly. I wish I could afford to own it, I'd probably buy something else, but it'd be nice. I've got an RV-6.

I'm torn.. If I get the HF box I can get a tool cart as well.

 

[Midman914]

Cart and a box. Now that sounds like a plan. The HF carts get good reviews. RV-6s look cool. Kind of a side by side Mono wing Pitts. I want one of those as well oh yeah, and an air tractor. I don't even fly. Maybe some day. I'm kind of an aircraft window shopper. I can afford to window shop.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Yeh, it's making more sense to me.

 

[John Timmins]

www.barrelblaster.com

 

[oldtractors]

I have the TL-480. It is a really nice blasting cabinet. It never clogs, and works well. One thing to think about is spare parts. There are a lot of wear-out items in a cabinet. I have gone through a couple of packages of the stick on protectors for the glass, a set ceramic nozzles, the entire gun tip (don't let the nozzles wear completely out), and a left hand glove. It is nice to just order replacement parts and have them delivered in a day or so instead of hoping you can make something fit your HF cabinet.

 

[BellyUpFish]

www.barrelblaster.com

Interesting..

How's the gun on that unit?

I have the TL-480. It is a really nice blasting cabinet. It never clogs, and works well. One thing to think about is spare parts. There are a lot of wear-out items in a cabinet. I have gone through a couple of packages of the stick on protectors for the glass, a set ceramic nozzles, the entire gun tip (don't let the nozzles wear completely out), and a left hand glove. It is nice to just order replacement parts and have them delivered in a day or so instead of hoping you can make something fit your HF cabinet.

Very good points..

 

[softailgarage]

First off BellyUpFish, what am I looking at in your avatar? It's killing me. I just can't figure it out. Kind of looks like an airliner. Sorry about that.

I thought it was a pic of Maldives from the air.

 

[softailgarage]

I have the HF big one and didn't know I needed to caulk--but have no leaks. I use a vacuum though, so perhaps that helps. I do NOT use the gun that came with it, but added one of their 110# pressure tanks, and ran the hose through the air intake. Works great with significantly less CFM.

could you explain that set up a little better?

 

[John Timmins]

Barrel Blaster - I have never used one. I have something similar to the HF which work great for my needs but the light is horrible.

The BB, made from a 55 gal drum, is a little bigger so for my projects is would be better than what I have now...for the same price. .
the light is a regular bulb in a vapor globe.
the window film can be replaced from outside.
Made in the USA.

I wish I'd known about the BB before I bought what I have .

 

[kkroger]

could you explain that set up a little better?

He uses a pressure blaster for the work hose, instead of a siphon type.
basically just using the box for containment and abrasive recovery.
Using a Vacuum to keep the dust down.

I have the big HF Cab I am on my third one.
First one the light switch failed then the fixture failed, the gloves finally failed
Was using it in a gunsmith shop Untold numbers of guns blasted prior to refinishing, Others just used it and used it and used it and never changed out the air jet or nozzle and chewed up the gun... I replaced it with a NON TRIGGER gun from TIP, with their Carbide Nozzle, and a foot pedal. Those parts are still going strong.

Current one still going strong, same carbide nozzle and gun setup.
you can replace the glass and lexan guards with parts from the hardware store cheaper than the covers that never stick.

I use the BIG dust collector from HF with a Grizzly filter bag, the HF ones are dust spreaders!
MUCH quieter than a shop vac, and no need to caulk, the dust collector makes the box negative pressure, more beads get dragged out the door than escape during use.

 

[BellyUpFish]

Barrel Blaster - I have never used one. I have something similar to the HF which work great for my needs but the light is horrible.

The BB, made from a 55 gal drum, is a little bigger so for my projects is would be better than what I have now...for the same price. .
the light is a regular bulb in a vapor globe.
the window film can be replaced from outside.
Made in the USA.

I wish I'd known about the BB before I bought what I have .

I've noticed your a big proponent of the system n my search on some first hand knowledge.

Having a hard time finding much..

 

[John Timmins]

I don't know is you saw the pictures on GJ where I modified the window to have a roll of glass film top top, or the addition of wheels.

I can post links to these earlier postings if you want...

I do all blasting outside the garage using sunlight to see inside the cabinet and make all the mess outdoors.

Also, Snap-On is a very good source for media and the price is comparable to HF and Tractor Supply. SO has more variety of media too.

Remember to wear a good HEPA mask when you blast. You don't want top breathe any of that stuff inside the cabinet

 

[BellyUpFish]

You've got me seriously considering the Barrel. What reviews I can find are all positive.

 

[kkroger]

Whatever Cabinet you get or Build, TP Tools has a set of plans and a "Build it yourownself" kit

But I recommend upgrading to these parts as well for ease of use and durability
Foot Pedal Gun C25 S 4-8CFM M 10-15CFM or L 20-25CFM the factory HF gun/nozzle runs 9.5CFM@ 90PSI

TP TOOLS Part Number 6300-90 $49 Carbide Nozzle but it WILL last for EVER

Foot Pedal TP TOOLS part number-6411-00

Re-inforced Vinyl Tubing

 

[BellyUpFish]

Well, I caved. Was able to to pick up a HF cabinet today for $100. So, I'll use it and pick up the TP Tools gun kit.