Sand Blasting

[Tbonedog]

Does anyone know of a way to get access to a blasting cabinet? I just don't use one enough to justify the purchase of the compressor and equipment. I'd be interested in renting if that is an option. There are some "hacker labs" in the Sacramento area, but they charge 100$ a month. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


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[Rick B.]

Before I had my own cabinet my indy motorcycle shop let me use theirs a few times.

 

[brownbagg]

my first one i built with plywood and a very cheap compressor, one i got now from HF

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I've made a makeshift "booth" from plywood, rigid insulation, old window glass and duct tape. A cheap gun and gloves from HF, a 5 gallon bucket to hold the sand.
Sweep up and refill the bucket as needed.

 

[sberry]

That might be a Craigs list wanted add? Seems like there would be some cottage blasters in a large demographic area.

 

[blazemaster83]

$100 for a month of blasting use sounds cheap to me. That being said I picked up a nice 36"x36" cabinet on CL last year for $600. I would not mess around with anything imported, also having enough air to use it is a big problem.

I have a 5hp 80 gallon compressor and my blasting cabinet will drain that tank in about 8 seconds. They need a lot of air.

 

[Pathfinders]

Post your location. Someone in your area might let you use one. Just a idea.

 

[DTE]

What do you need to clean ?

 

[OccupantRJ]

$100 for a month of blasting use sounds cheap to me. That being said I picked up a nice 36"x36" cabinet on CL last year for $600. I would not mess around with anything imported, also having enough air to use it is a big problem.

I have a 5hp 80 gallon compressor and my blasting cabinet will drain that tank in about 8 seconds. They need a lot of air.

If you have a suction gun, your air jet may be too large for your compressor cfm. I match the air jet diameter to the compressor output to maintain a constant flow of around 80 psi, and use a vacuum guage to maximize vacuum draw at the gun by adjusting the air jet closer or further away from the blast nozzle.

 

[Jess]

My local rental place has a sand blast bay and a bay with a decent size blast cabinet that they rent by the hour. I have taken stuff in and done it myself and had them do other stuff for me. Cheap compared to buying a good quality cabinet and having enough air. I have a 125 cu ft/min Atlas Copco diesel compressor but the mess associated with blasting outside keeps me from bothering. You could look at TP Tools cabinet plans and build one, but you still need the air.

 

[sberry]

The blaster at a rental store sounds like a great idea. I was wondering where would be the ideal place for something like that.

 

[Tbonedog]

What do you need to clean ?

I'm fixing up an old ford falcon. I have a bunch of small parts that I need to blast to prep for paint or powder coat.


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[OccupantRJ]

I'm fixing up an old ford falcon. I have a bunch of small parts that I need to blast to prep for paint or powder coat.


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If you happen to be in My area I could likely do the work or rent you cabinet time with glass beads or aluminum oxide.

 

[billspit]

If you have a suction gun, your air jet may be too large for your compressor cfm. I match the air jet diameter to the compressor output to maintain a constant flow of around 80 psi, and use a vacuum guage to maximize vacuum draw at the gun by adjusting the air jet closer or further away from the blast nozzle.

I can vouch for this. Replace your nozzle tip regularly and it will reduce your air needs.

 

[e015475]

Every powder coat shop I've ever been in has a sandblaster in their facility or a contract with someone to do their part cleaning prior to coating.

Why not just let the powder coat shop do it?

 

[alberto]

I'm fixing up an old ford falcon. I have a bunch of small parts that I need to blast to prep for paint or powder coat.


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Every powder coat shop I've ever been in has a sandblaster in their facility or a contract with someone to do their part cleaning prior to coating.

Why not just let the powder coat shop do it?

This is the way to go if you are powder coating misc. sized car parts. If it fails, they can't claim it wasn't prepped properly. I've gone this route a few times and it always seems to work out well.

 

[ratdoggy]

If you happen to be in My area I could likely do the work or rent you cabinet time with glass beads or aluminum oxide.

If you were in my area I'd let you use mine for some beer.......
Also replace any consumables...

Now do you see why your location is kind of important?

 

[Tbonedog]

If you were in my area I'd let you use mine for some beer.......

Also replace any consumables...



Now do you see why your location is kind of important?

I thought I had my location in my profile. I'll check it. Thanks.


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[Falcon67]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ntent=155560&gclid=CJvhkfL67s4CFQMPaQod8RoHZQ

Cheap compressor

Bag of sand

Personal protection

 

[Tbonedog]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ntent=155560&gclid=CJvhkfL67s4CFQMPaQod8RoHZQ

Cheap compressor

Bag of sand

Personal protection

I was looking at the Eastwood version of this. I don't think my 6 gal compressor has the cfm for it.


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[DTE]

I'm fixing up an old ford falcon. I have a bunch of small parts that I need to blast to prep for paint or powder coat.


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I have a Harbor Freight hand held gun with a cup on it that I use when needed. I just done a set of hood hinges and it works good for me. I buy play sand and spread it out and let it dry, pour it in some 5 gal buckets and it is always ready. It will wok off a little 3 hp compressor.

 

[Tbonedog]

I have a Harbor Freight hand held gun with a cup on it that I use when needed. I just done a set of hood hinges and it works good for me. I buy play sand and spread it out and let it dry, pour it in some 5 gal buckets and it is always ready. It will wok off a little 3 hp compressor.

Is it the one with the 20oz hopper or the 9oz?


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[DTE]

Is it the one with the 20oz hopper or the 9oz?


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I will have to look.

 

[sberry]

Siphon suction.

 

[dkmc]

My local rental place has a sand blast bay and a bay with a decent size blast cabinet that they rent by the hour. I have taken stuff in and done it myself and had them do other stuff for me. Cheap compared to buying a good quality cabinet and having enough air. I have a 125 cu ft/min Atlas Copco diesel compressor but the mess associated with blasting outside keeps me from bothering. You could look at TP Tools cabinet plans and build one, but you still need the air.

Jess,
What engine is in your compressor?
I just picked up an IR that I suspect is really an A-C with a Deutz 2 cylinder.

 

[billspit]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ntent=155560&gclid=CJvhkfL67s4CFQMPaQod8RoHZQ

Cheap compressor

Bag of sand

Personal protection

I think that is the gun I bought to replace the failed one on my Campbell Hausfield blaster.

 

[cactiki]

I hate to be "that guy", but....
Someone mentioned using playground sand. Sand is silica, as in silicosis, also known as lung cancer. If you use sand, you should use a respirator to protect your lungs. Do your research.
There, I said it. Just in case someone doesn't realize the danger.

 

[DTE]

I hate to be "that guy", but....
Someone mentioned using playground sand. Sand is silica, as in silicosis, also known as lung cancer. If you use sand, you should use a respirator to protect your lungs. Do your research.
There, I said it. Just in case someone doesn't realize the danger.

Ya gotta die from something

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I hate to be "that guy", but....
Someone mentioned using playground sand. Sand is silica, as in silicosis, also known as lung cancer. If you use sand, you should use a respirator to protect your lungs. Do your research.
There, I said it. Just in case someone doesn't realize the danger.

OK, thanks.
But I'm wondering, isn't glass made from sand and PA sells glass beads for blasting. Why would it be safe for glass beads but not sand?

 

[OccupantRJ]

Here you go.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/92-102/

 

[mikegt4]

Once you try silica sand you will never do it again. You don't feel it until the day after then it feels like a 250 lb. guy is standing on your chest for a couple of days. Even the small amount that leaks out of a cabinet will hit you hard.

 

[BillK]

T-Bone,
I have a bead blast cabinet at my shop but when I need something powder coated I have the place that does the powder coating do the blasting. They are really inexpensive and like someone else said I think they actually prefer to do it themselves.

 

[Tbonedog]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Sounds like I need to sort what needs paint vrs powder and just blast the paint projects. I'll just let the powder coat shop handle it. If I try the small blaster with the hopper, what is the best media if I don't want to go with sand? My yard isn't very big so I don't want to make a huge mess. I'm thinking walnut or soda.


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[OccupantRJ]

If you are removing paint, you need more aggressive grit then those two. I use aluminum oxide for paint removal.

 

[RocketScott]

I built my cabinet for less than $200. I built it big enough to fit a motorcycle frame but the box can be made any size. I use Al oxide grit from harbor fright. The 20% off coupons make it about as cheap as I can find.

 

[Jess]

Jess,
What engine is in your compressor?
I just picked up an IR that I suspect is really an A-C with a Deutz 2 cylinder.

It's a 2 cylinder Deutz. My unit is an XAS60. I recently got an operators manual off ebay if you have questions. My unit is an early '70s and was purchased surplus very cheap because nobody bid on it. The big utility in my province had it since new and it was regularly maintained even if a bit ugly,,.

 

[Marctrees]

Just my thinking -

I have, as a hobbyist blasted w silica numerous times w a pressure pot blaster.

I read the CDC link above.

I also know many people in the world live in "windstorm" areas, many of which have common sand dust being ingested.

Interesting, we don't see them being recommended to evac, even like in AZ here in US.

Seems to me, as a hobbyist, there is absolutely no concern especially if you use some sort of fresh air system.

I have a basic canvas sandblast hood , and installed an output hose from a dedicated tiny shop vac to pressurize it.

The vac is 20 ft away, upwind, w a few loose rags draped over the intake.

The hose feeds under the hood behind my head.

The main reason I attached the vac, was it was so damn hot in there being in TX.

Keeps me VERY cool, and obviously no dust

In a blast cab, I would just wear a good dust mask to block any leaked stuff.

All this Silicosis stuff applies to everyday cumulative production workers, not rare ocassionals, read the data.

It ain't like a Cyanide pill.

Just my take on it. Marc

 

[Mike70]

I used to work for a mining company. Our products had silica in them of varying amounts, up to pure silica. The effects are cumulative as you say. However it never hurts to wear a dust mask or respirator. If you develop silicosis, you basically smother to death.

 

[TractorJeff]

I have a plywood one similar to RocketMan's, not as big though. I have a Shop Vac sucking the dust out. A comment about the Silica Sand is lots of places use it with Full Face Air Respirator systems. Even on the rare occasions I use mine, I wear a Dust Mask at least. I built mine when I had a need for it and it has sat with minimal use off and on since. Good thing is, if I ever decide to get rid of it, I don't need to go through the hassle of trying to sell it to recoup the investment. I can just drag it outside and burn it! LOL!