HF blast cabinet, best pickup location

[Com_VC]

Hi all,

I have a blast cabinet the same as this http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-68893.html

Just wondering where the best place is to locate the pick up tube for the blast media?

Thanks

 

[Showkey]

If your having problems with media pick up and or poor performance ? Many report the gun is a marginal design and construction. They replace the gun with one from TP tools:

http://www.tptools.com/Build-Your-O...t-Trigger-Operating-System,7200.html?b=d*8039

 

[188slo50]

I found out with mine threat the slightest bit of moisture in abrasive or air supply would cut back on its suction. Also make sure it's not sealed ain't tight and has some way to release the negative pressure.

 

[Com_VC]

The gun has been changed and I have modified the pickup tube so it works way better. But just wondering on the best location so it doesn't get in the way of things.

 

[soj]

I have the older model of that HF cabinet, the one with the light in a separate housing on top. It had the pickup tube bolted in place in the center front of the cabinet. It would get stopped up from time to time, and usually I could clear it out by holding my hand over the nozzle and pulling the trigger, which will back blow through the pickup tube. But lately it got to where that wouldn't always work and I would have to empty the hopper to clear it. I decided the bottom end of the tube was too close to the hopper side, so I unbolted it and cut the bracket off. I just stuck it back in the same place it was before (center front) and (and so far, knock, knock, knock on wood) it hasn't stopped up, but I haven't used it much. I only did this a couple of weeks ago, then finished what I was doing, haven't used it since. The idea is that if it stops up, I can move the tube around, or pull it up out of the media, to help clear it out

As far as getting in the way, it has never been a problem in the center front.
jp

 

[Falcon67]

Mine has issues with the flex line, not the tube. Keeping the flex line from the tube from getting kinked is nearly impossible.

 

[Com_VC]

Also I noticed some cabinets have air regulators fitted to them, is this to fine tune the air pressure?

What is required for a blast cabinet.

The regulator on my comp is always set at 90psi unless I am painting.

 

[Showkey]

The pressure will vary with the media being used and the part material.
Heavy rusted steel and aluminum oxide grit might use 125 psi but glass beads on aluminum or brass might use 60 psi.

Some guns have a sweet spot for media pickup and the psi in is a balance point.
Higher pressures can destroy the media quickly, damage parts, will wear the gun parts quicker and make more dust.