sandblasting with vacuum

[Denee007]

I was desperate for the roof of my Mustang to be salvageable! When I first got it, the roof had very bad pitted rust, and I sanded and sanded, even bought a pot sandblaster, but the blaster made such a mess! So I saw that Snapon tools made a vacuum sandblaster but for a ridiculous price! So I drilled a hole in one of my attachments and inserted the portable sandblasters head into the hole and it worked great! had to clean the filter often, but it got the job done! actually what also worked was to tilt the attachment back opening access just enough for my nozzle and could slide the nozzle slowly back n forth~ made a little more mess, but worked much more quickly!

looks striped, but a little more sanding and metal prep followed by a few layre of epoxy primer and glaze~ I'm almost ready to paint my mustang!!

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Ha, that's very cool!

 

[scott37300]

That's a really neat idea!

 

[ZRX61]

tilt the attachment back opening access just enough for my nozzle and could slide the nozzle slowly back n forth~ made a little more mess, but worked much more quickly!

Sounds almost pornographic

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

Sounds almost pornographic

Hahaha That's really graphic.

 

[back2class]

That is so dangerous without a good mask. You DO NOT want to breathe silica particles. Hope you wore a mask, even with your vaccuum. Neat idea!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Smart ******, ain'tcha?! LOL.

I have an ancient Craftsman siphon blaster somewhat like that except the sand reservoir is on wheels. It was a MESS to use...so I've not used it since forever. Now I have a reason to get it back out again.

Back in my 20's - last time I used it and I'm 55 now (OMG!) it never occurred to me to use a mask - how stupid! When I get it back out I will get some
kind of respirator, what kind do you guys use/recommend?

 

[ZRX61]

N95's (or N99's if ya really paranoid)

 

[klhitman]

thats great!!! i would have never thought of it. since we are on the topic of sand blasting i got a gun with the hose but no tank from a friend, can i just stick the hose in a bag?

 

[Denee007]

Sure, you can stick the hose in the sand, at least give it a try! I used a 70grit aluminum oxide, reusable, tough stuff! of course I used a good respirator, but the vacuum sucked most of the stuff up and was very clean for the most part! Dont forget to clean the filter often! Have any questions, I'd be happy to help!!
dne'

 

[Shadowdog500]

Thanks for the great idea. I need to do some(outside the cabinet) sandblasting this winter and this idea will really help.

Chris

 

[340six]

That is so dangerous without a good mask. You DO NOT want to breathe silica particles. Hope you wore a mask, even with your vaccuum. Neat idea!

Outside with paint resperator and full hood is the only minimum way
Did you try any acids? PPG DX579 in the pits?

 

[Denee007]

oh, the photo of the attachment~ it has holes already drilled in it; it won't stick as bad due to the suction. If you're not dealing with a flat surface, then it wouldn't really matter. Just thought I'd throw that info to ya'll!

 

[Denee007]

I used phosphoric acid from Eastwood.com. It may have helped a little,but the blasting pretty much got it down to the metal. I finished with a metal cleaner and metal conditioner from PPG. If this doesn't work, then I'll have to look for a doaner roof in the future. No one makes a aftermarket roof for the coupe! argh! wouldn't look forward to replacing the roof!!

Outside with paint resperator and full hood is the only minimum way
Did you try any acids? PPG DX579 in the pits?

 

[eweber2112]

I see your using the HF plastic blaster. How does it work for you as a basic unit.

 

[Denee007]

Someone noticed!! I bought it on sale for 17 bucks! Anyway, even at the regular price is ok! I have two complaints, the large screw on lid doesn't screw on very well, and now I just don't know where it is, and the other; inside the pickup tube fell off(it's about 1.5" long) and I have to keep the level of media higher so it will pickup(the regular pickup "tube" is moulded into the plastic housing). As far as the blaster, it works very well! I finished blasting my entire roof of my mustang which took several hours(on and off working of course to give myself a break, and my vacuum a break and especially my compressor a break. So, I give it a 9 out of 10 mainly cause it did get a difficult job done with little mishap! I hope this helps!
dne'

I see your using the HF plastic blaster. How does it work for you as a basic unit.

 

[340six]

With a blaster like that just stick the hose in a 5 galllon bucket of sand or larger.
A pressure pot works best and you can rent compressors that will run then and save lots of time if needed
Even my little 110 pound pot works great, but my cheapo compressor is to small.
I have blasted well over 6000 pounds of fine sand in my rear yard lol and even had to buy 48 12 yard trucks of fill before grass went in

 

[Denee007]

OMG! what a beautiful car 340six!!! did you sandblast most of the car?? I love my compressor! it's a sears professional 2 stage, small but keeps up with whatever I do and it's very quiet!

With a blaster like that just stick the hose in a 5 galllon bucket of sand or larger.
A pressure pot works best and you can rent compressors that will run then and save lots of time if needed
Even my little 110 pound pot works great, but my cheapo compressor is to small.
I have blasted well over 6000 pounds of fine sand in my rear yard lol and even had to buy 48 12 yard trucks of fill before grass went in

 

[EricR.W.]

Deenee, thats is really cool. I have been getting a lot of questions about this type of sandblaster also and wrote up a post about where to get the vacuum sandblaster.

I have been wanting to design and try something out like you have. Most of these expensive vacuum blaster systems have some sort of brush like bristles on it which makes it interesting.

Did you use on of those vac bags for dust and drywall dust? I can't remember what they were called.

Awesome job

 

[340six]

OMG! what a beautiful car 340six!!! did you sandblast most of the car?? I love my compressor! it's a sears professional 2 stage, small but keeps up with whatever I do and it's very quiet!

Sorry for the high jacing thread
I am still stuck with a 60 gallon verticle Cambell 5HP{over rated hp} single stage that puts out 10.3 cfm @ 90 made in 1993. I use this filter that you put a roll of TP in to absorb water that works great.
When it dies I am getting a 60 2 stage from a place in Ohio
http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504413.htm
thats makes them there. I have to find the name and site again. They are highly rated.
Most of my car was done outside or at a friends body shop who has been a friend since i was 16
I used a friends rack to install the trans.
I used to redo lots of SS trim and polish aluminum
Paint was for the Challenger vert but went on the lowly A body and a 1973 plus makes it even worth less and a red haired step child
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/sig pics/drivetrain7.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/sig pics/2840886-340SIX-1.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/340six Motor/rockers3.jpg
http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee87/fast340six/trans/

 

[Denee007]

Sorry for not answering this sooner! I've been away for a little bit! As far as the filter, I just used what it came with~ I just had to take it out and beat it against a tree or beat the dust out of it. I've since bought another filter and my vacuum works just fine! I figured if the vacuum died during the work it did, then that would have been collateral damage! Here's a photo of the roof taken today! Paint should be going on later this week! yehaw!!
dne'

Deenee, thats is really cool. I have been getting a lot of questions about this type of sandblaster also and wrote up a post about where to get the vacuum sandblaster.

I have been wanting to design and try something out like you have. Most of these expensive vacuum blaster systems have some sort of brush like bristles on it which makes it interesting.

Did you use on of those vac bags for dust and drywall dust? I can't remember what they were called.

Awesome job

 

[eborcim]

That's pretty clever denee, thanks.

 

[Denee007]

My stang today! I still have fenders, bumpers, and misc to paint! It looks much better in the photo than in person, but I'm pleased!
thanks ya'll!
dne'