Blasting Cabinet

[Frank Eaton]

Couple of questions. Just scored a real nice cabinet off of Ebay for $84.00. Hell of a deal. My problem is I can't get the gun to siphon the media. I've got the air but it just won't pick it up. The pick up hose is close to 1/2 ID or so, could it be too big. Also does anyone know where you can get a good smaller hobby blasting gun, instead of the big cheap thing that come with it. Thanks

 

[john warren]

two things,,, number one,,, moisture is the enemy. keep your sand dry.
second what air pressure are you using?

 

[Frank Eaton]

I have about 120 psi @ 5cfm. Is that enough. It is by the product ad, but I don't know if I trust that. The media is dry. Thanks for the reply.

 

[STR]

I run mine at 100psi max. If I run it higher the hoses tend to pop off in the middle of jobs. If your sifon won't pick up check to see if there is enough media in the bottom of the cabinet. Most call for 10 pounds I think. If there is enough make sure it is covering the sifon tube so you can't really see it while you work. It may be just sucking air because the end is exposed and not in the media. Some are perforated but mine is not so it probably depends on what you have on your tube.

It may be that you have an air leak or that the nozzle is clogged also. Try another nozzle.

BTW, the easiest way I've found to tell if you are getting media to move is to pick up a small piece of titanium and blast it. Titanium sparks when you bead blast it. If you are getting any spray at all you will know in pretty quick order with a piece of titanium. Some coatings and some steel are so tough that it is hard to tell immediately if you are indeed getting results.