Sandblasters

[bdog]

I am looking into getting my first sandblaster. I have never been around them, or even seen one in action. We are in the process of restoring some old trucks that need sandblasting and I am always welding stuff that I think I could use it to help clean welds on, etc.

Anyway I wanting to buy something good and not junk. I am not going to be using it everyday so I don't need top of the line but I am sick of wasting money on Harbor freight ****.

I found this website http://pressurized-sand-blasters.brutmfg.com/ and was looking at their units. Anyone have experience with them?

My compressor is 7.5 HP 2 stage 24 CFM with an 80 gallon tank. they have a chart on their website and for my compressor it looks like I could run a 1/8 nozzle for sure and maybe a 5/32" I was thinking of their 101H model - would this be a good a choice?

 

[scott37300]

That looks like a nice blaster. This is the one that I have, http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_7960_7960 and looks pretty similar to yours and I have been happy with it. They are both made in the usa and about the same size. I would say either of them would be a good choice.

 

[saabman]

Years ago TP tools sold private label Brut blasters. I have the 99H with Cougar valve. Works quite well, although I do more cabinet bead blasting the pressure sand blasting.

 

[djd99]

Strange tp tools used to be the place to buy all your sandblasting equipment, It looks like on there website they now only sell sandblasting cabinets. When did they stop selling tank style sandblasters?
Also look at northern tool they also have a few good quality sandblasters. Mines homebuilt that my father made 25 years ago that I'm still using. works great and holds about 10 gallons of silica sand, and yes I still use silica. Been using it for 25 years.

 

[evintho]

I did quite a bit of research before I bought my blaster. Turns out, the HF unit worked for me. I don't have that much too blast. For you, I'd recommend either the Texas Blaster, an ALC unit or one of TP Tools blasters.

Texas Blaster
ALC Blaster
TP Tools

 

[c39er]

I bought a ALC 110lb blaster from Northern Tool-about $500.00. Works great.

 

[W-Cummins]

I found this website http://pressurized-sand-blasters.brutmfg.com/ and was looking at their units. Anyone have experience with them?

My compressor is 7.5 HP 2 stage 24 CFM with an 80 gallon tank. they have a chart on their website and for my compressor it looks like I could run a 1/8 nozzle for sure and maybe a 5/32" I was thinking of their 101H model - would this be a good a choice?

I also have the TIP (re-branded brut ) model 99/100 and the cougar valve. The current model 101h is very similar to mine. I would NOT recommend the larger nozzle, the 1/8 will be great for your compressor (it's really too large for a 5hp compressor). Also they are VERY over optimistic on their life span, it will QUICKLY enlarge past 1/8" and that's why they are too big for a 5hp machine. I'm sure that you would like the 101h with the 1/8" on it. The 5/32" is too big for your machine out of the box, and would run your compressor into the ground after it enlarged in about a hour or two.

William....

 

[6768rogues]

I don't buy many things at HF, but I do have their pressure blaster. I have used it quite a bit and it works well. It must be the only decent thing in their store.

 

[DGC15]

I don't buy many things at HF, but I do have their pressure blaster. I have used it quite a bit and it works well. It must be the only decent thing in their store.

I have one too. Had it for years and have run a bunch of sand through it. I had to add a second water filter in the air line to keep it from plugging up. Any blaster will have this problem.
I have switched from using sand to the "Black Diamond" blasting media that Tractor Supply sells. I just blasted the firewall and floor panels in my 51 Chevy and it worked very well.
I also changed the hose out. I put a long hose (15 ft) on so I can move around without having to move the pot. You can use automotive air conditioning hose for this. It has a very thick rubber liner. A lot cheaper than sandblast hose and is very close to the same.

 

[cnc-me]

Brute 300H since 1995, works good.
Replaced the sand valve 3 times in 15 years.
I don't use the rubber block valve thingy,on the end of the nozzle,
its a waste of time, and wears out quickly, just cut the air to the unit instead.
I use silica sand by the pallet load from the local lumber yard
they deliver it with the lumber truck.
I recycle the sand by pouring it through an old window screen
that sits on top of the brute.
I start out with a 3/16 nozzle and replace when it gets to 5/16, or when
the compressors can't keep up.
Water filter that comes with the unit, is on the small side, and would be better,
with a bigger one.
Also, plan on using 1/2" air hose to the unit,anything less won't cut it.
Have two+one compressors running this rig, one 20HP, plus another 5HP,
and another 5HP, when the nozzle gets to big.
You can never have enough air (if you want to get anything done quickly).
If you are going to blast large objects I would go with the 300H otherwise
you will spend more time filling the blaster than blasting.
Just my 102 cents (2 cents adjusted for inflation)
-John

PS: The Lathe in my Avatar was blasted with the Brut 300H in 1997.

 

[tcianci]

I have a TP ****-Blast cabinet it works really great and its cleaner to be able to blast the smaller stuff in a cabinet. My portable pressure blaster is home made from a 20 lb propane bottle and pipe fittings and valves, It works fine, I actualy use the worn media from the blast cabinet in the pressure blaster for one last go-round before its gone.

 

[brownbagg]

what type resprator do you use while blasting in the open

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

what type resprator do you use while blasting in the open

Dust.

Ive got a TIP or TP now, pressure pot sandblaster, dont remember the model, its got a dead man valve on it, I bought it new back in 1986 or 1987. Works well, the only problem Ive ever had is keeping the air coming in dry.

 

[bluejean]

I was wondering if anybody knows who sells a sand separating tube? The tube screws in the bottom of a pressure pot sandblaster, that keeps it from clogging and eliminates moisture that settles on the bottom. The tube is plastic with holes all around the sides.

 

[mechx]

I was wondering if anybody knows who sells a sand separating tube? The tube screws in the bottom of a pressure pot sandblaster, that keeps it from clogging and eliminates moisture that settles on the bottom. The tube is plastic with holes all around the sides.

I made my own from steel tubing,

 

[tcianci]

I was wondering if anybody knows who sells a sand separating tube? The tube screws in the bottom of a pressure pot sandblaster, that keeps it from clogging and eliminates moisture that settles on the bottom. The tube is plastic with holes all around the sides.

When I built my him made pressure pot blaster I bought that tube from TP tools

 

[Mr onetwo]

Years ago TP tools sold private label Brut blasters. I have the 99H with Cougar valve. Works quite well, although I do more cabinet bead blasting the pressure sand blasting.

Actually, Truman's Industrial Products(TiP) produced some of the best sandblasters back in the day.When the guy that invented the "Cougar" valve decided to retire BRUT Mfg. bought the rights and produces updated versions of The TiP blasters and some parts for the old Truman's blasters.I found this all out when I did research after buying a TiP 99 for $100.I would look for a good used TiP ...they are out there.Hope this helps

 

[mayday0017]

Been running the large pressure blaster from Harborfreight for about 8 hours a week for the past 1.5 years, haven't had any real issues with it.... Only thing I have done that I highly recommed is take off the crappy hose from the gun to the tank and replace with a nice rubber hose. I took a Goodyear 1/2" rubber air hose that I had already cut to make a custom hose out of and hooked it up, been that way for about 6 months now and it made a HUGE difference not having to fight the stupid stiff hose that was on the unit from the factory. OH switching to a nice rubber hose and better hose clamps is somewhat of a safety thing too, before the crappy factory hose and clamps wouldn't hold tight enough and from time to time would blow off the connection (talk about a bad situation when you are using it to clean valves on $60k+ BMW's like I am.)