Harbor Freight Soda Blaster & HF Red Blast Cabinet

[Aeroman]

Hey Fellas,

I just purchased the 40-lb blue HF Soda Blaster and I'm having some issues using it. I am finding that the soda does not flow out consistently. I have tried various pressures and adjusted the amount of soda flow and can't seem to fine tune it. Any tips? The only consistent flow I can get is when I set the pressure very high (~80psi) and turn the Soda amount all the way open...but it shoots it too rich and wastes a lot of soda!!! When I turn the Soda amount knob all the way down to the "-" position, a small amount of soda still comes out. It seems I cannot just flow air alone and then dial in the soda slowly. This is the one I have:

The other question I have is regarding HF's red blasting cabinet. I want to use soda in it. Instead of using alumina oxide or sand, could I simply replace it with soda and blast away? Or do I need a special rig to make it work inside? This is the cabinet I have:

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I can't comment on the HF blaster as I don't have one (I got mine from eastwood many years ago)

How big of a compressor do you have? Tank size, cfm output etc?

Now when you say the compressor is set at 80 psi, is this at the regulator on the compressor or at the blaster?

Are you sifting your soda before you put it in the blaster? This is a must especially if you are using re-claimed soda.

Generally when I experience issues with my blaster it's because of moisture issues. This can be from water in the tank or lines or even the humidity in the surrounding air.

It doesn't take much moisture for issues to show up. Good moisture traps are a must and it doesn't hurt to have an in-line trap as well

 

[Aeroman]

60-gallon compressor. Its the one sold at Lowes.

Yes, I am sifting it. yes, I'll add an inline filter/dessicator, great idea. I read that it takes 1-minute for the soda flow to stabilize? Maybe I didnt wait long enough? I'll keep messing with it and somehow integrate it with my blast cabinet. Doing it outside creates a mess but luckily I can hose it down

Thanks again for replying

 

[NC-Fordguy]

60-gallon compressor. Its the one sold at Lowes.

Yes, I am sifting it. yes, I'll add an inline filter/dessicator, great idea. I read that it takes 1-minute for the soda flow to stabilize? Maybe I didnt wait long enough? I'll keep messing with it and somehow integrate it with my blast cabinet. Doing it outside creates a mess but luckily I can hose it down

Thanks again for replying

Yea, it takes a little bit of time on mine to get just right. When first starting out it acts as if I was just pouring soda through a big hose. Eventually the pressure in the tank stablilizes and good flow comes out of the gun.

There is a small learning curve but you'll get the hang of it

Reading a bit more concerning your blast cabinet. I don't see why you couldn't use various medias in it.

One thing about soda-- it does break down over time. Namely meaning the granules get smaller and smaller each time it gets used. The smaller the granules become the less effective your results will be.

Fortunately soda is relatively cheap at HF. I try to locate one of those 20 percent off coupons when I get a bag.

 

[Aeroman]

Awesome, thanks for the info!!! I am sure I will get the hang of it. Take care.

 

[rlitman]

I was under the understanding that soda breaks down too much after the first use to be reused.

 

[Aeroman]

good question...I will have to check it out

 

[Mori55]

I use glass beads in my cabinet. They seem to last and work great.

 

[sunshine1639]

What vacum filter are you using on your cabinet?

Also HF sells a refigerated Air drier, although I don't see it listed unless you do a search for it.

Got one a couple of months ago and it made all the difference in how my blast cabinet works now.

Haven't tried soda in the cabinet but have the Eastwood soda blaster and it does a nice job using it outside.

 

[classycar2013]

I have the forty pound soda blaster from Harbor Freight and I can't get it to work. BTW this is the second one I've had...I returned the first one thinking it was defective. I can get the psi on the compressors working cause it's new. THe air shoots out and no soda. IS there an adjustment valve hidden somewhere? Does the little silver cylinder inside have anything to do with the soda not coming out? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Aeroman]

I have the forty pound soda blaster from Harbor Freight and I can't get it to work. BTW this is the second one I've had...I returned the first one thinking it was defective. I can get the psi on the compressors working cause it's new. THe air shoots out and no soda. IS there an adjustment valve hidden somewhere? Does the little silver cylinder inside have anything to do with the soda not coming out? Thanks for your help in advance.

Hi Willy, I think it will have to take some practice. Yes, there is a thumb knurl that controls the flow of soda but my issue is that it's not consistent and when it does come out, it's shooting all of the soda at full force! Perhaps someone can chime in as how they got it to work. I'll snap a picture of the valve that controls flow in a bit.