Build a simple sandblaster

[e-tek]

I saw this very simple sand blasting set-up (instructibles.com) to use for blasting parts out of the cabinet (fenders, etching, walls...) and thought I'd share it here. I'm going to try it come spring to blast parts on my 240Z project. Got any improvements we can add?

 

[garfunkle24]

I can't really tell what's going on there E-tek. I see the abrasive feed, is their an airline?

Anytime I use my blaster outside the cabinet I like to use some kind of "cup" around the nozzle to stop the abrasive going everywhere.

Top of a 2L pop bottle works good.

 

[raley]

Ive tried one, needs very fine media (original deisn was for soda blastic iirc) but i like gravity feed better.

 

[rsanter]

that hose may be a little long

bob

 

[isaac338]

E-tek, looks like that's just a simple siphon blaster.. don't waste your time trying to build one, Princess Auto sells one for $15.99.

I have one and I use it in my cabinet.. works great.

http://www.princessauto.com/workshop/air/sandblasting/sandblasters/6320360-sandblasting-gun

Oh, and the trick about using a cut-in-half 2L pop bottle sounds like it's pure gold.

 

[jayoldschool]

isaac, what kind of abrasive would you suggest with that PA siphon blaster? Would my single stage 60 gal be enough for it? What kind of jobs could/should (or not) I tackle with it?

 

[e-tek]

I can't really tell what's going on there E-tek. I see the abrasive feed, is their an airline?

Anytime I use my blaster outside the cabinet I like to use some kind of "cup" around the nozzle to stop the abrasive going everywhere.

Top of a 2L pop bottle works good.

The air hose hooks into the gun and draws the sand up like it was paint, etc.

A cup over the end would stop some sprayback, but wouldn't make it perform any better would it?

Although cheap to buy, this is free for most guys with a bucket, a hose and an old gun - of which I have several

 

[weegaz22]

I have one of these, didnt rate it at all, it would take all day to blast something clean, ended up using a wire brush attatchment on a drill instead, it just didnt seem to pick up enough of the media, now maybe this is down to my compessor size but i just didnt rate it, probably fine if your gonna do small scale stuff and if your not in a rush, but i didnt use it on the fencing that i was cleaning/prepping for paint, which was the reason i bought it in the first place.

You may get better performance if you made the venturi hose gravity fed from something like a large funnel.

 

[raley]

20oz bottle hooked on top with a ball valve to control media flow,

 

[isaac338]

isaac, what kind of abrasive would you suggest with that PA siphon blaster? Would my single stage 60 gal be enough for it? What kind of jobs could/should (or not) I tackle with it?

I've used both play sand and crushed glass, both worked well.. the play sand absolutely has to be screened very well or it'll just clog the gun. The glass works very well right out of the bag, though.

My compressor is a single stage 60 gal also; you just gotta work a little slower to let the compressor catch up every now and again. Mine runs pretty hard when I'm doing heavy blasting but whatever, it's good for them to run hard every now and then!

 

[e-tek]

I have one of these, didnt rate it at all, it would take all day to blast something clean, ended up using a wire brush attatchment on a drill instead, it just didnt seem to pick up enough of the media, now maybe this is down to my compessor size but i just didnt rate it, probably fine if your gonna do small scale stuff and if your not in a rush, but i didnt use it on the fencing that i was cleaning/prepping for paint, which was the reason i bought it in the first place.

You may get better performance if you made the venturi hose gravity fed from something like a large funnel.

Sounds like you thought a sandblaster of this type could do more than it can. To do a fence you'd need a whole lot more volume and cfms coming out of a bigger pipe! These ones are made for small spots really. As well, lots of guys don't realize how important DRY air is. They get clumping, plugging or low flow and wonder why. You absolutely need a dessicant or other dryer befoe the blaster.

 

[Com_VC]

I stuck a large funnel on mine and used the gun upside down so it was gravity feed not suction feed. Seemed to work better than the hose in the bucket method.