Finally got my Glass Bead Blasting set-up going.

[MrBottleneck]

Been wanting to get a good compressor and nice blast cabinet so, I finally bit the bullet and got it all.
Have plans on also purchasing a Vapor Honing Technologies cabinet soon as well.
Printed out flyers and business cards so, I can do some side jobs doing this as well.
This is my first post here although I have been lurking in the background for a bit.
Been a ASE & FORD Tech most all my life so, messing with cars etc is my forte.

Really enjoy reading all the posts and ideas here.

Here is my setup along with a few pieces I have done.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Ok. You can't have an introduction like this and not give us more info. What cabinet is that? What kind of gun are you using? Is that a dust cyclone? What media are you using? What is your post blast cleaning process? Where are you located? (just in case someone local wants to have you do some work)

I'm interested to see the vapor honing if you get into that.

 

[nadogail]

Ok. You can't have an introduction like this and not give us more info. What cabinet is that? What kind of gun are you using? Is that a dust cyclone? What media are you using? What is your post blast cleaning process? Where are you located? (just in case someone local wants to have you do some work)

I'm interested to see the vapor honing if you get into that.

What He Said.

 

[bczygan]

It looks like a Trinco cabinet.

Bill

 

[MrBottleneck]

Exactly, it’s a Trinco with vac.
Compressor is obviously a Saylor Beall 5hp 80gal.
Using Potters Ballotini extra fine 200-325 although also have same in 100-175.
Post cleaning I wash and blow out orifices etc.
I am located in SW Ohio

 

[Mike Folks]

Where I worked in California, the company used ground glass as the blast media.It might be cheaper?

 

[MrBottleneck]

Where I worked in California, the company used ground glass as the blast media.It might be cheaper?

Yes, ground glass is cheaper but, it is more aggressive then glass beads.

 

[driftpin]

Why don't you post your OH general location, under your screen name, you might get some business out of it?

Your system looks well-planned and -executed.

I have the same Saylor-Beall, I got mine refurbished from a friend who sells and repairs new and used compressors, he did me a great deal on this one. A new Baldor 5 HP motor, new electric disconnect magnetic switch box, gone-through and delivered, <$900.

I work on vintage motorcycles, mostly.

I'm using glass beads in a dry cabinet, and thinking of a Vapor Hone Tech. cabinet.

 

[Bighead38]

More pics of the fox.

 

[James-W]

From the pictures it looks to be a very nice setup.

 

[MrBottleneck]

Thanks,
Yeah the Foxbody is a prized possession (my sons waiting for me to kick the bucket so he can have it).
It’s a 1 of 1 documented 89 as it came from factory according to the Marti report.
All original paint, interior etc. It’s like new. I have the original wheels just not a turbine fan.
Just turned over 40,000 miles last year taking it to a few shows.

 

[thammel]

Cool! How do you like the compressor? On my list....probably better than Quincy and Champion. One can go cheaper with Eaton compressors. I really like the Saylor Beall. Is it quiet enough? And cold you give a model number on the trinco cabinet. I will be doing a lot of blasting....So why is bead blasting better than grit blasting? Sorry for the novice question.

 

[Tremelune]

Looks good!

I'm in the market for a similar compressor...Have you used it much? What size nozzle do you use, and do you feel it has enough capacity?

Also, what's the point of those piping squiggles?

 

[MrBottleneck]

Yes, I have used it quite a bit. It’s very quiet.
I choose SB because to the best of my knowledge they are they only manufacturer still making (I mean actually making not assembling) they’re own pumps here in the U.S.A and quality is almost a gold standard imho.

As far as does it have enough capacity. For sure yes.

Glass Bead is not necessarily better it just a media choice. Glass bead isn’t near as aggressive as say sand, silicone carbide or aluminum oxide.
Do a search of “different types of blast media for application” and you will see what I mean. It’s all boils down to what your blasting and what your trying to achieve with the blasting.

The “squiggly lines” as asked are condensation drops. Basically a path for the air to cool down enough for water to drop back outta air in the form of a liquid state. Works quite well.
I never have had any water in combo Reg/Water Trap yet.
The Trinco is a 24 BP2 and I am using a 5/16th nozzle.
Lines are all 3/4 up to where it leaves Water Trap then it reduces to 1/2

Hope this helped

 

[Tremelune]

Excellent, thanks!

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Thanks for the extra info. The car looks great. White car with red interior is my favorite.

 

[OCD]

Nice set up, and sweet Stang!!

I like doing glass beading too!! I would like to do it on the side but have no idea what to charge people...

 

[ludakris04]

Thanks,
Yeah the Foxbody is a prized possession (my sons waiting for me to kick the bucket so he can have it).
It’s a 1 of 1 documented 89 as it came from factory according to the Marti report.
All original paint, interior etc. It’s like new. I have the original wheels just not a turbine fan.
Just turned over 40,000 miles last year taking it to a few shows.

what would make an 89 mustang 1 of 1?

 

[KonaIron]

I'm new to compressors and am wondering why you have your copper designed the way you do. Is it for expansion, or is there some other reason? Thanks in advance.

 

[Tremelune]

Condensation drops. Basically a path for the air to cool down enough for water to drop back outta air in the form of a liquid state. Works quite well.

 

[mepstein]

We have a large vapor blast machine at the shop. It makes things pretty. I use it a lot.

 

[KonaIron]

Condensation drops. Basically a path for the air to cool down enough for water to drop back outta air in the form of a liquid state. Works quite well.

I thought about that, but how many drops are really required to solve that problem? Wouldn't one suffice, or generally speaking the more the better?

 

[KonaIron]

I must have missed your above answer to my question. Thanks in advance.

 

[Showkey]

I thought about that, but how many drops are really required to solve that problem? Wouldn't one suffice, or generally speaking the more the better?

The key point is the air temperature must drop for the drops to work.
So having the drops a long distance away from the compressor and near the blaster will allow the drops to work better. Air Temperature drop Or change is a function of the time, distance and pipe material.

 

[metlmunchr]

You can buy the finned copper tubing used in hot water baseboard heating separately from the sheet metal enclosures. The tube is 3/4 copper. The finned tube will give up heat at 10 times the rate of bare copper tubing, so a 6 foot section will give the same cooling capacity as 60 ft of 3/4 copper tubing. A 6ft section costs around $60. Quite a bit less money and labor as compared to building one of the up and down snake deals to produce equivalent cooling.

If a person uses the finned tube as an aftercooler, it's essential that it be mounted horizontally rather than vertically to allow max airflow thru the fins.