air compressors and bead blast setups

Joined
Oct 28, 2000
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970
I'm slowly setting up my shop to start making a few knives, and I need to get an air compressor, both to clean up and to run a bead blaster. What kind of PSI do I need to do a decent bead blast job on a knife after HT? Also, what is a decent bead blast set up? I haven't really been shopping lately to see what's available, working 7 days/week sucks.
 
HF has 3 or 4 models to choose from, but i have built my own, out of a 40 gal. syrup can. I have seen others made from old bbq pits. For an air supply, I have 3 HP compressor and two lg. air tanks to keep up with the volume of air needed. I use 80-90 lbs. of pressure.
KEN (WWJD)
 
I just made myself a small ultra cheapy setup. I took a deep Rubbermaid container and cut a 12"x9" hole in the top. I scrounged a chunk of broken plexiglass out of the trash and duct taped it over the hole so I have a window. Then I cut a hole in the front just large enough for my rubber gloved left hand to reach inside. I cut another small hole just large enough for the nozzle of the little bead blast gun (a hopper loaded jobbie $19.95 from Harbor Freight) to fit in. I hold that with my right hand. On the side I cut one more hole just large enough for the nozzle of a mini shop vac. I simply rest a clip on work light in the top next to the window and it shines enough light in to see what I'm doing. I have a small 2 horse compressor which pushes plenty of PSI for small jobs. Using a mix of glass beads and 000 sand I get a decent texture. Spray the object with WD40 immediately after blasting to keep fingerprints off the steel or titanium.
 
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