Setting up a sand blaster on a 60 Gal Compressor (1 Viewer)

[lowtideride]

Hey guys,

I need some help and opinions setting up a a sand blaster on my 60Gal 3.2HP (11.5 @ 40PSI / 10.5 @ 90PSI). I know it's not big enough to sand blast anything large and frankly I don't want it for that. If I need any large parts or panels to do I will farm out the work.

What I am after is to do small nooks and crannies on the truck or on parts that a wire wheel can't get to. I will probably buy a small blasting cabinet for small removable parts. I am also curious on media, from what I have read it seems like walnut shells are a good choice because of the health and environmental effects of the other options.

I am already set up for automotive painting with a fairly nice DevilBliss Air Dryer inline so at least dry air won't be a problem.

Thanks again,
~Al

 

[lowtideride]

Alright this is what I have come up with after some decent searching.

http://www.eastwood.com/rust-remover-bicarb-soda-w-20-36grit-alum-oxide.html

http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-soda-blaster.html

This soda blaster seems like the best compromise, it will work with my size compressor. Should do well to remove paint on panels with out warping them. The media linked has aluminum oxide in it that will for helping to remove rust in hard to reach areas like pinch welds.

I hate find threads with no info in them. I will report back after I get things worked out...

 

[coinoperated40]

I usually paint strip what I can on panels and then finish with the blast. Less chance of heating things up. Looks like the match up should work, as you are not going commercial, therefore you can let the compressor catch as needed.
I have both a pressure pot and a siphon feed for doing lighter blasting. Each has it's points.
The medium used is all over the place.. Star blast has done me well in the past. liked using glass beads (expensive). Have used other things that probably aren't good to mention, but would probably use more Earth friendly stuff now.
Just remember the dust will get into everything.

 

[Jay-]

lowtideride how did it work out in the end?

 

[pillguy]

I used one of the inexpensive harbor freight sand blasters and bought a northern tool sandblast gun for it. The original HF gun clogs often. A few simple brass connectors, plastic washing machine hose and clips and it worked great. About $100 into the entire system and I used sand as the media.

 

[canman]

I used glass bead last summer on my ARB bumper. Ended up costing a small fortune just in media. I learned to recycle what I could by laying down a tarp and doing the blasting inside my Tempo (temporary garage). Getting completely dry air is a must as a bit of moisture mixed with the glass bead will clog the gun. Also had many issues with large bits of glass getting stuck. I learned to screen everything before dumping into the blaster pot. In the end, I found out that I could have supposedly had someone do my bumper for $75. Not sure if that is true, but I probably spent $100-$150 on just media not counting countless hrs futzing around with it.

 

[Coolerman]

I have a 10lb Harbor Freight soda blaster, a HF small sand blast cabinet, and a HF 50lb blasting pot. All connected to my 80 gallon Kobalt compressor.
The pot is used for large items. I did my FJ40 frame with it!
I wear a full face respirator and a welding helmet rigged up to a dedicated small vacuum cleaner that sits upwind of the pot. This vacuum BLOWS fresh air into the helmet. Really helps keep the sand dust out of my face, and cools you off in the summer.
I use playground sand bought at Lowes in the pot. It has to be sifted first but that is easy with a sifter I made up from a coffee can and some plastic window screen. $4.00 a 50lb bag. I set up a tarp system to recycle it. 4 bags did my entire frame and a whole lot more.

The blasting cabinet also runs playground sand. This cabinet is plumbed to Dust Deputy (Google it) then to a shop vac with a Hepa filter installed. The output of the shop vac is routed through a hose that blows outside. I can blast inside my garage without having to wear a face mask. I did have to seal the HF cabinet a little better to achieve this.

The soda blaster I use to clean my wiring harness connectors and for soft metals like aluminum, pot metal and brass. I do this outside and just let the wind take it where it wants. It doesn't hurt anything as far as I can tell. My small setup it not ideal for paint removal. The nozzle is only 1/8". It will take paint off but it takes a while.

 

[RAYJON]

Just a thought for everyone our local commercial powder coater blasts for cheep and does a nice job, just have to wait, he will do it right before he changes the blast media (less agressive that way). I have a sand blast setup and still pay him a couple hundred to do stuff, its well worth it, the commercial media is great and his guys blast everyday/ all day and do a great job.

A whole cruser tub and top was about 350$ well worth it. might be worth a look, if you take them the frame to powder coat at the same time I am sure they will work you a deal..

 

[duggy]

I have the HF blast cabinet and my Puma 60GA keeps up but an 80GA would be mo betta

 

[jblueridge]

I use Black Beauty coal slag. I get 100 lb bags for 10 or 12 bucks. Only the Extra Fine works reliably with my 5 hp compressor setup.
I do larger items ouside using a tarp to try and catch the stuff for another run.

Coal slag is harmless and inert. No silicosis.

I have found only one place to get the extra fine. It's a tool rental center in town.

BLACK BEAUTY ®