What is the difference between a pressure blaster and a siphon blaster?

[Zack1978]

Hey everyone,
I need to get a sandblaster, and I have the Eastwood catalog in hand ready to order. However As the title states, what is the differnece between the two types of sandblasters? The only type of sandblaster that I have used I beliee was a siphon blaster. I found a 100lb pressure sandblaster in Eastwood for $135.00. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Zack

 

[denis]

Pressure is a pressurized (obviously enclosed) pot that pushes the media up to the mixing point. Siphon uses a venturi shape or gravity to pull the media from the open pot into the mixing device.
I built myself a pressure pot out of 3 old 30lbs gas bottles, and using it with a siphon type gun and it doesn't work too bad for now. I need a bigger compressor though, 15hp don't cut it for the real nasty stuff

 

[vtcruiser60]

I bought a 40lb pressure pot from harbor freight and have been pleased. In my humble opinion, the best money spent on sandblasting is on a huge compressor and media. I have a compressor that pushes 6.1 scfm at 90psi...which is just barely enough to blast with pressure pot. For a big job (frame, body panels, etc.) I would probably just rent from the local rent-all.

 

[Cuerno Largo]

I have a pressure pot from HF and a siphon unit that came with my blast cabinet. The pressure pot will let you blast "harder" than the siphon unit, so the job goes quicker and the really nasty stuff comes off. That being said, I use the siphon unit more now becuase it is quicker and easier to use with the blasting cabinet.

 

[ar2stp48]

For light use, I would suggest the HF unit. I have used one and was impressed. For more serious use, try the Texas blaster unit.