School me on pressurized sandblasters please

[Richard D]

This was given to my friend 7-8 years ago full of glass beads. He has never used it. I poured out the glass beads and filled it with play sand and it won't work. Maybe I'm doing something wrong pressure-wise? Wrong tip? I've never used one of these so I'm clueless. Pictures to follow.

 

[alxdgr8]

First off, DO NOT USE PLAY SAND! Silica sand should never be used for sandblasting.
Got any pictures? Does the tip come off?

 

[bseant]

need more info. what doesn't work? getting air, no sand? why did you take out what your supposed to use and put in play sand? was there any moisture? as stated before you should never use any sort of silica sand.

 

[Richard D]

Tip does come off. Look like it's made of ceramic and screwed into a typical ball valve. What type sand should I use? I also need to be able to get it locally.


This is the set up on the bottom:

 

[Richard D]

My friend loaned it to me on the grounds I saved the glass beads. I just need to blast a rusty piece of pipe for a BBQ pit so I figured play sand would be fine. The sand does not want to come out. Too coarse?

 

[signcrafter]

Do you have a tractor supply, they have black beauty for pretty cheap and it's way better then play sand. Lots of things could be wrong. Did you filter your sand? Is the sand 100% dry? Is your air 100% dry? What exactly does it do when you pressure it up and pull the trigger or deadman valve?

 

[bseant]

Do you have a tractor supply, they have black beauty for pretty cheap and it's way better then play sand. Lots of things could be wrong. Did you filter your sand? Is the sand 100% dry? Is your air 100% dry? What exactly does it do when you pressure it up and pull the trigger or deadman valve?

what he said if its been sitting you might to take off fittings to clean any gunk.

 

[Richard D]

I did not filter the sand, but it was fresh form Lowe's in a plastic bag, poured it in within an hour of buying it. Don't know if that would mean it's 100% dry. I have no dryer of any kind on my compressor, and I'm down on the Gulf Coast, so I doubt if my air is 100% dry. It seemed to just blow a tiny bit of sand, then air, then nothing. I guess the first step is getting the proper blasting medium, then take it apart and clean it well. Why is silica sand a no-no?

 

[bseant]

My friend loaned it to me on the grounds I saved the glass beads. I just need to blast a rusty piece of pipe for a BBQ pit so I figured play sand would be fine. The sand does not want to come out. Too coarse?

honestly you might just be better off with a flap disc on a grinder if it's for only one piece.

 

[PCO6]

When you say that you poured out the glass beads do you mean that you emptied the pot? I would also blow air through all of the lines to make sure they are free of any blockages. If the beads have been in there for the last 7-8 years it's possible that humidity has moistened things to the point of "clumping".

I once had a small mouse fall into my pressurized blaster when it was not being used. It made its way into a line and it took a while to figure out what had happened!

 

[alxdgr8]

Take the tip off, close the valve on the bottom of the tank and turn on the inlet pressure. It should come out the trigger end, if not something is clogged.
To operate, turn the inlet on and the trigger on to make sure you have airflow. Then slowly open the bottom valve to regulate media. You want to just be able to see the media flowing out. If it feels/sounds like it's "chugging" then you've got too much media.

This is why you don't use silica sand:
http://www.silicosis-injury-attorneys.com/pages/sandblasting_risks.html

Always wear a respirator regardless of media though.

 

[rsanter]

Play sand needs to be filtered through a screen.
You need to have a really good water separator or the thing just won't work right
Play with the little ball valves on the back and bottom to adjust how much pressure where and how much sand flow

Bob

 

[Richard D]

honestly you might just be better off with a flap disc on a grinder if it's for only one piece.

This has heavy pitting; way too much to grind down.

 

[Bobf]

The sand in the bags from Lowes/Home Depot are washed and full of moisture. I poured it out on a plastic sheet and let it dry in the sun, then it worked much better.

 

[Richard D]

Last couple posts gave good feedback for troubleshooting this thing. And yes I definitely need to stop putting of the dryer on my air system. It's PVC! Just kidding wont open that can 'o worms.

 

[Steroblan]

Play sand is not graded which means the various size grains will pack and plug up the blaster or just not flow well. If you are going to use sand get graded #30 sand. Do it in a breeze and stay upwind.

 

[devilsnight]

Why is silica sand a no-no?

Silicosis. When you breath in the dust it never comes out of your lungs. Use a respirator, and work outside

 

[shovel]

Richard, I'm 60 miles up the coast from you. The humidity is way too high here to use this rig without a water trap. I use the Motorguard filter that looks like it has a roll of toilet paper in it. http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/mot...p-11897.aspx?gclid=CLTSr6-Up7cCFU1o7Aod6CoAJg
Secondly, you have to filter your sand. A simple window screen will work. You will be amazed at the pieces of small gravel you catch that will plug your hose up. Listen to what these guys say about using play sand. I use it but always wear a respirator. The black beauty blasting slag sold at Tractor Supply is a much better (but more expensive) option. Third, it takes a LOT of air for these small pressure blasters to work. It will work, but you are limited to what you can do.

 

[signcrafter]

You really need to start at the beginning. First go buy a good respirator no matter what media you are using. The media will be getting everywhere so make sure you are doing this outside. Also buy a blasting hood, tractor supply has a decent one for fairly cheap. Pick up some black beauty from tractor supply also.

Play sand has a lot of moisture in it right out of the bag, usually you can "clump" it up right out of the bag. Also your air will have moisture in it that you need to get out. You need a GOOD water separator, not just some cheap filter. Moisture is your enemy when blasting. If you don't get the moisture out of your media and air supply then you will just continue to have problems.

Empty out your blaster and run some air threw it to see what it does empty. Should have a good flow of air. Now filter your media. I've found that a metal window screen and a couple 5 gallon buckets work good. Then dump in your blaster with all valves shut off. Then hook up air. Open your hose valve and then open the media valve until you just see media coming out.

What size compressor are you using? You need a decent sized tank and CFM. I have a 15CFM 30 gallon compressor and I only get a short time of blasting before I have to let the compressor catch up.

 

[bugdust]

All good advice. I'm blasting today myself with the same little pressure pot. I paid $10 for mine at a yard sale years ago. I have to filter anything I put in it. I use a wire basket strainer borrowed (permanently) from the kitchen. The black Diamond stuff from Tractor Supply is too big for my 1/8" tip. I buy Black Beauty from an abrasives supply place although they recommend another product (going to pick it up tomorrow).

Step 1: Drain your compressor tank and lines
Step 2: Don't use a line with an oiler on it
Step 3: Filter your media as described
Step 4: Fill your tank
Step 5: Put on proper PPE. I have a blast hood but I prefer my charcoal respirator with a face shield, a hat, gloves, etc. I also use a shop fan to blow the dust outside.
Step 6: Pressurize the tank
Step 7: Open the control valve part way
Step 8: Open the media valve (bottom of tank) part way
Step 9: adjust mix/ flow accordingly. You want more air than media. Otherwise you are just wasting your media.
Step 10: Post before & after pics on the internet

 

[Richard D]

Hand that turd back to your friend.

Probably the best advice so far! I wouldn't have started with this rusty pipe had it been my project.