The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest sandblasters

hi all im just getting into this stuff and was just wonderng what your recomendations on sandblasters are. I would like one of the cabinent type for cleanliness (otherwise my dad will get mad)
thanks Jake

Cabinet style only works for small items.
Simular to a parts washer.
For the regular style blaster, you really need a dedicated bay to contain the mess, and allow recovery of used media to filter/sift and re-use. Simular to a paint booth.

I bought a syphon blaster and use it in the carport, and manage to recycle about 75% of the sand. I made a sifter out of wood and metal window screen and I'm VERY pleased with the results. I know it's not got the power of a pressure blaster but it kicks rust butt just fine.

I also have a tabletop blasting cabinet which I get a LOT of use out of. THE biggest problem with any cabinet blaster is finding a vacuum that can be hooked up to it to keep the dust down inside the cabinet. Wet/Dry shop vacs do NOT work well because their filters have a very small surface area and get clogged up within a couple minutes. I would strongly suggest a good household vacuum with a large bag (yard sale item?). I wound up hooking my central vac up to it and that keeps the air in the cabinet clean.

Little man check out your local auctions you maybe able to find one there. Otherwise there is a company that is located south of you about an hour and a half that sells them call Dee-Blast.

Let me know if you need the local Holland Rep. I have that info too.

there are a bunch on the market that should meet your needs. if it's inside try to have it vent to the outside. it will keep you from breathing in any of the unseen airborne dust that is created by using and maintaining them. when the vacuum blows a filter it makes on hell of a mess. i have a big cabinet type at work that came from graingers that i can get big truck wheels into it.

Heres how I hooked up my Shop Vac to my Blast cabinet ,
I removed the filter paper and wrapped the cage with Scotch Brite we get it in bulk "cheaper that way" at work , so I purchased a 2ft chunk .
I then cut a hole in the wall of the shop and installed a dryer vent to the outside world made an adapter to reduce down to fit a shop vac hose , purchased a replacemnt shop vac hose and have it hooked to the vent side of the shop vac , all the fine dust vents outside and the scothbrite knocks down the bigger stuff in the tank but takes a very long time to get plugged up.
Now I know it is hard on the inards of the shop vac but for all the more I blast,it is holding up well ..besides it was my old one i retired after it rolled off the deck one day and broke onna the wheel mounts off.
Just a tip
Tim

I bought one of the pressure tank blasters from HF and built a cabinet with a hose sized hole that I can slide the hose through so I can use it with the cabinet or separate. Home Depot's cheapest bathroom fan works great to suck the dust out of the cabinet.

If you are trying to clean big parts, build yourself a tent out of plastic to contain the mess and pick up a surplus full face gas mask on eBay so you don't breath the dust. Be sure to clean the grit out of the shower so your Dad doesn't get mad.

I saved my money for about 2 years and bought a "Skat-Blast" cabinet from TP Tool. Along with it I bought the "vac-35" system that goes with it to suck out the dust. I really enjoy using it. As with most cabinets there is some maintenance like the nozzles, platic lens to cover the window. It does a good job and I have used or tried a lot of "media" including glass beads, garnet, play sand, blasting sand and just last week I bought some Black Diamond to try.
What I like most about it is I can change the blasting media in a matter of couple minutes with the trap door depending on what I want to blast. I've had my cabinet for 6-7 years but only used it heavily for about 2 years and it is nice. Blasting area size is 46 wide 28 high 28 deep. you'd be surprised what you can get in it and comes with two lights inside,floor switch.
I also know you want to know the cost...back about 2001 I paid about 1100 delivered. I think they are still about the same price. Check out the tptool website which also gives some good info about air pressure.

jake, along with what 55.1st says I can add that I bought the pressurized pot system from Tractor Supply for $223 including tax and it works very well. I might add to get blasting sand because it is "sized" when made and it will work better. You will also find that "weather" does make a difference in how much it will clog up!!!
I'm running my blast cabinet and blaster with a 17-19 cfm 80gal tank compressor. Depending on running 80psi or 90psi on the blaster will determine how much cfm you will need. My does a good job at 90psi.
Just info trying to help pal.

Edit: my pressure blaster is a 20 gal size tank. Which works very well. I can pour a 100lb bag of sand in it and it will have just the right amount of "unused" space it recommends. So, dump in a bag and go to it for about 35 or 45 minutes...take a break, get a pepsi then go back at it again!!