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Building a Wet Blast Cabinet

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InjectorService

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Dec 11, 2019
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Hey guys. I'm on a mission to build a wet blasting cabinet. I think I want to start completely from scratch, build the complete cabinet and everything. I do have a HF style cabinet that I could convert, but I dont want a piece of junk in the end.

So my question is about the pump. I would like to hear from someone that owns or has access to a commercial wet blasting system. I want to do this properly and essentially have a commercial unit when I am done.

I have heard of people using sump pumps, but I really don't want to go that route if I don't have to.

Anyways, let me know what you've seen, what you've done, built, worked with etc! Lets get some ideas going and hopefully I can get moving on this and a build thread started!
 
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dkmc

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NYS--Upstate in the corn fields
My suggestion to you is to purchase this guys Handbook on the subject. He's engineered his own unit, and is very knowledgeable on the subject.
It's only $10 for 233 pages! And is packed with a ton of info, pictures, diagrams, and part sources.
http://arnoldsdesign.com/The Vapor Blaster Handbook.html


InjectorService said:
Hey guys. I'm on a mission to build a wet blasting cabinet. I think I want to start completely from scratch, build the complete cabinet and everything. I do have a HF style cabinet that I could convert, but I dont want a piece of junk in the end.
Click to expand...
 
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InjectorService

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txvwnut said:
This guys got some really good advice on doing what you want to do.

https://www.howtomotorcyclerepair.com/diyvaporblasterbuildplans/
Click to expand...

Yes I saw his, and paid for it. What I don't like is that he just uses an electric trash pump. I mean I can definitely do it that way but there has to be a purpose built pump or something somewhere.

I have seen some ARO pumps, and I feel like that's what most manufactures are using. It is an air operated diaphragm pump, but maybe there is something better to use.

That being said, there is a wealth of knowledge from that site, and it will come in great along the way.
 
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InjectorService

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dkmc said:
My suggestion to you is to purchase this guys Handbook on the subject. He's engineered his own unit, and is very knowledgeable on the subject.
It's only $10 for 233 pages! And is packed with a ton of info, pictures, diagrams, and part sources.
http://arnoldsdesign.com/The Vapor Blaster Handbook.html
Click to expand...

I'll buy this and see how he does it. $10 is much cheaper than the other plans I bought. I'm sure between the 2 I should be able to gather more than enough info to get this complete.
Thank you
 
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Keyblazer

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Irvine, CA
Yes, I'm building a Vapor Blast Unit.
Its almost there now, just waiting for parts to arrive.
Mine, as seen in my thread is based on an old DeeBlast 30 cabinet that I paid less than $100 for.
I'm using a cheap SS sub $100 sewage pump, but I'm a hobbyist, so In my mind, a $70 pump should be fine, and I might upgrade to a $3/400 pump if I get a lot of use out of it, etc.
The big deal is that the pump needs to have the correct output volume... I believe I think it a minimum of 3000 GPH or so. Mine is rated @ 16000LPH, so I will see how it does.
 
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InjectorService

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Keyblazer

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The pump I’m using is Stated at 1100w and 16,000LPH which, for arguments sake, is 4000GPH. It is on eBay for $70 currently.
I have it necked down to 3/4” hose, so it’s probably strangling it a bit.
It feels/sounds like the pump is surging a little, But I’m not sure.
I’m new to this too, but those two parts took less than 3/5mins per part from raw to the finish you can see in my thread. Remember, this is technically a finish pass with 170/320 grit glass bead.
In person that intake sparkles like a fresh casting.
I’m happy so far.
 
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Keyblazer

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Just updated my thread with more concept tests.
Here is my cheap cabinet and the $70 slurry pump test on a rusty cast it iron hook.


Here is the result on an old cast aluminum intake.


Right now, I have more work to do on lighting and sealing, but I think the proof of concept is done.
 
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toplessHO

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central florida
InjectorService said:
I think I have come to the realization that a sump pump or similar might just work best. Is yours just a regular sump pump? I've seen people use the "tsunami" trash pumps that have a separate suction tube. Deciding which way to go.

Also do they really need 3000gpm? Don't you neck it down to 3/4" or less anyways?
Click to expand...

hope you meant GPH
 
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toplessHO

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Isnt a vapor blast unit using C02 pellets?

A friend showed me a trick on media.
Go to a place that supplies glass beads for highway stripping.
The local place here has 2 different grades and its much cheaper than buying blast media.

That aluminum looks great.
What are you using for a filter to catch the crud?
 
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Keyblazer

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I’ve fine a few parts now and the water is beginning to get dirty

For now, I think I will let the media settle and siphon off the dirty water and refill.

Here is a couple more examples of what I’m seeing.

Second pass on that cruddy Alfa Timing cover.


First pass on a Alfa valve cover.

 
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LS1-IROC

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Grand Rapids MI
We have 2 wetblast systems. The small one uses a diaphragm pump and the large one uses a very specialized 7.5hp slurry pump. For home use a diaphragm pump would be the way to go, you'll likely never wear one out.
 
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InjectorService

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Canada
LS1-IROC said:
We have 2 wetblast systems. The small one uses a diaphragm pump and the large one uses a very specialized 7.5hp slurry pump. For home use a diaphragm pump would be the way to go, you'll likely never wear one out.
Click to expand...

So your talking like an air powered diaphragm pump? Andy chance you could get a size or model number off of it for me?
 
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