Are they worth having? Those of you who have bought them for resto purposes...do you regret? What size? I'm thinking about it but unsure if it's really worth it or just a PITA.
Sand blasters (1 Viewer)
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Hope you have a big strong compressor. And keep an eye on it, it will get very hot.
Definitely worth having. As KLF says, you need quite a bit of air to run one effectively. Here's my cabinet. I also have a pressure pot to do larger items outside.
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- #4
What size compressor are you running?
A sand blaster cabinet is one of those things that I think is great to have if you have the room, air, $$ and strong need for specialized uses, but I would not say it's an essential purchase for me, even though I could have used one several times over the years. Seems like there are many DIY ways to go around needing those tools. I guess for me the biggest issue is the large bit of room needed both for the cabinet itself and the large compressor (also noisy etc) for something I'd use twice a year. Obviously, your needs may be different.
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- #6
That's kind of my thinking. I'ld love to have one when I need it but probably a big "sucker". When not needed.
I am restomoding a 75 FJ40. I just bought a Harbor Freight 20 gallon media blaster for 74.00 ( coupon would make it cheaper). I run a 60 gallon vertical Dewalt compressor that is used for plasma cutting and welding. For 75 bucks, it has already saved me that much in labor ( I figure my off time at 10/hr) I shot aluminum oxide through it yesterday and it took 40 years of crap off my tie rods, radiator bracket and other pieces. It's messy, had a lot of sweeping to do to clean up and it gets EVERYWHERE, so wear long pants, long sleeves, facemask, hat and goggles.
I will eventually make a home made booth for small parts and to save the media. There are several designs out there, just look for home made blasting cabinet I found a bunch on Pinterest and Esty. I bought a bunch of walnut shells media from Tractor Supply, fine medium and course. I feel better about doing that in the driveway because it really wont mess up the environment, its will decompose. Just my 2 cents, but I think it is definitely worth 75.00.
I will eventually make a home made booth for small parts and to save the media. There are several designs out there, just look for home made blasting cabinet I found a bunch on Pinterest and Esty. I bought a bunch of walnut shells media from Tractor Supply, fine medium and course. I feel better about doing that in the driveway because it really wont mess up the environment, its will decompose. Just my 2 cents, but I think it is definitely worth 75.00.
Oh yeah, just to add, you need DRY air through these things or it will cake up and clog. I have a three stage air drying rig (got it from Amazon, wasn't expensive) between the compressor and the blaster ( and really any other air tool) It really is essential and worth it to avoid the aggravation of clogs, rust, general mayhem and prolong the life of your air tools. So if it were me, I would invest in a nice high capacity high CFM air compressor (I got mine a few months ago from Tractor Supply on clearance, $600, but it really kicks a$$ and can run anything I throw at it) and a decent air drying system. Some plasma cutting folks go way down the rabbit hole on this as plasma doesn't like ANY condensation, but for all around stuff a 60.00 desiccant dryer would be fine. Then on the tools themselves, you can get by with Harbor Freight stuff, check out garage sales, FB Market
place and all that. Keep them oiled and they should be fine.
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- #9
Great information...just what I'm looking for to help the decision making process
My compressor is a Quincy QT-5 (240V, 17.2 cfm, 80 gallon tank) then run through a Hankison air dryer - and the compressor cycles frequently when I'm blasting.
A lot of its use depends on how you work. You'll notice that there is also a CUDA automatic parts washer behind the blasting cabinet. I'm regularly tearing stuff apart, cleaning it (grease and dirt), blasting it (rust and previous coatings), cleaning it again (abrasive dust), and repainting or powdercoating it before reassembling it. I was just reading a thread in the paint and body forum and this post mentioned $90 an hour for sandblasting. I've seen $75 an hour and up. If you're doing a project vehicle, that adds up quickly.
It comes in handy for a lot of stuff. We were repainting the bathroom, so I cleaned and blasted the wall grille and then powdercoated it bright white. The Lovely Lady was quite pleased with the results.
A lot of its use depends on how you work. You'll notice that there is also a CUDA automatic parts washer behind the blasting cabinet. I'm regularly tearing stuff apart, cleaning it (grease and dirt), blasting it (rust and previous coatings), cleaning it again (abrasive dust), and repainting or powdercoating it before reassembling it. I was just reading a thread in the paint and body forum and this post mentioned $90 an hour for sandblasting. I've seen $75 an hour and up. If you're doing a project vehicle, that adds up quickly.
It comes in handy for a lot of stuff. We were repainting the bathroom, so I cleaned and blasted the wall grille and then powdercoated it bright white. The Lovely Lady was quite pleased with the results.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
FWIW, an accumulator will extend the useful range of a mid size compressor. For my money, (and time and effort to build and use) a wet sand system (vapor blasting) is the way to go. This guy would try the patience of Job to watch, but if you can stand to get to the end, you will learn something useful.
Here's the scholastic info. Although the tone of the article is hydraulic, the air versions work similarly.
Here's the scholastic info. Although the tone of the article is hydraulic, the air versions work similarly.
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I wonder if it could be used for old family Jewelry too? You know, make them shine..
There are plastic abrasives and walnut shells for softer metals. I'm thinking an ultrasonic cleaner would be much better for such things, though.
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- #14
This guy is awesome!
pb4ugo
SILVER Star
Sand blasting jewelry is to create a dull matte finish or look. Its not for cleaning jewelry. For simple cleaning, mix up a little lemon dawn and water in a small jar or glass and let it soak overnight and rinse under hot water. You can add some ammonia for a more aggressive solution. You can use a soft bristle tooth brush, but dont scrub, genlty push the bristles into the knooks and crannies to loosen crap. As mentioned earlier, we use a heated ultrasonic cleaner with a more aggressive solution and steamer, but the condition of the jewelry needs to be spot on. An ultrasonic can rattle/shake stones loose. Most independent jewelers will check and clean jewelry for free. They will 1st look at the condition of the jewelry and security of the stones, then clean it. if they dont check it 1st, dont let them clean it. They may recommend repairs as needed, and clean and polish after the repairs. Usually for a fee they will check, clean, polish and rhodium plate, and the jewelry will look new. Jewelry should be checked periodically by a professional. Now, back to your blasting thread.
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- #16
Did you build one? If so how did it work?