Yet another HF Blast Cabinet Thread - What am I missing?

[ScoobyDoo]

I'm getting into my mustang restoration project and its become clear that I need a sandblast cabinet. I've been eyeing up the Harbor Freight model and comparing it to the TP Tools one. I'd prefer to buy American but economics don't seem to be there. I've looked at many threads on the garage forums on this subject but I haven't found one that got into specific costs.

I understand the HF cabinet needs mods to make it function properly. I've also read a lot of broad statements claiming that after all the mods on the Harbor Freight model, you could have bought the TP 780 cabinet. I'm having trouble reconciling that statement.

HF 40 lb blast cabinet - $199
20% coupon - -$40
Add door weather stripping - $0 (I have some already)
Add halogen light - $20
Purchase TP S-35 gun - $59
Replace siphon hose - $10
Silicon caulking - $5
Pickup tube mod (using copper pipe) - $3

Total Investment - $256



TP Tools 780-TL - $399
Shipping - $90

Total investment - $489


Obviously there are things needed like dust collection, air dryer, vacuum, etc but those items are applicable to any model bought.

Am I missing something?

 

[rsanter]

Personally after using a pressure feed system I would never go back to using a siphon system again.
I have a couple of the HF sandblasting pressure pots and they work pretty good but the one on my cabinet I made myself.
If it was me I would buy the pressure feed system and then either buy the HF cabinet to use it with or you can also make your own cabinet out of plywood. Heavy coat of paint on the inside, or Better yet line the inside with thin sheetmetal to resist the blast material
Also mine is big enough to put a mustang door into, you could make yours bigger or smaller as you think needed

Bob

 

[John in OH]

I don't know anything about the HF cabinet, but I've got a TP980 (??) and love it. Only mod I did was add an additional spotlight inside the cabinet for better vision.

One word of caution .... don't go too small in cabinet size. This is one place where size does matter in the long run!

 

[mike528]

I just finished watching all 8 parts of Alvarez metal works videos on the 40lb cabinet on YouTube. He used an upgrade kit from the Tacoma company but a lot of improvements can be made by assembly and a lot of the stuff you could do yourself to save money.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Thanks for the responses.

Bob - I hadn't considered that. I'll have to look into that as an option. Should make the cheap gun issues moot, right? With the exception of nozzles wearing out of course.

John - thanks I've heard great things about TP tools upper end cabinets. It is well north of my budget though. So my choices are the models I've posted above or just dreaming about having a large blast cabinet. lol

Mike - I've been scouring youtube for HF mods and that is where I got most of my list from. I actually did see a little of Alvarez's videos. They are LONG!! I am familiar with Tacoma's upgrade kit. Many of the mods in that kit are already on my list but I plan to throw together myself. Ironically, for what Alvarez invested in his cabinet, he really could have bought a much better quality one! I don't understand it. :


Original question still stands though - am I missing mods to get a HF cabinet up to snuff against the TP-780? Would be interested to hear how much $'s other HF cabinet owner's have invested.

 

[mike528]

The second video looks to be the most helpful. I'm still a year or two away from being able to get mine but I'm planning on using his videos to assemble mine but get the pressure blaster and do the glass and light kits myself.

 

[Bighead38]

Any chance you could find a good one locally?

 

[ScoobyDoo]

I've been watching craigslist for a while for one but at some point, I need to stop waiting.

BTW, so if I were to build my own cabinet, similar size to the above cabinets, here's a quick estimate of that:

2 sheets of plywood - $55
TP Tools Master Build kit - $244 w/shipping
Work Screen - $40
Silicon caulking - $10
Misc fittings, nails, glue - $15

Total Investment - $364

I'm sure I could find much cheaper parts than the TP tools Master Build kit. I'd want their gun, but not sure there is that much downward potential trying to scrape to find all the parts, not to mention my time, to justify not just buying one.

 

[59 wagon man]

built my cabinet from the tip plans almost 20 yrs ago and it still works great . American made with American parts