Questions about bead/sand blasting equipment?

R

raythebigfoot

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
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I have been wanting to get some blasting equipment for some time now, but I know nothing of setting up a blasting cabinet. I am considering this one at harbor freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94978

What kind of air compressor do I need to run this thing and what other equipment will I need to get this thing setup. Also please let me know if I shouldn't go with harbor freight on this one! Thanks!!
 
I have a cabinet like this one and it is ok for the occasional use. One thing I dont like about it and probably with all top loading cabinets is that when your using it it doesnt seal very well and you get dust in your face and all over the plastic top...you MUST wear a respirator when using and it will fill your shop with dust..
 
Your first choice is really junk, had one and it did nothing but make a huge mess. Second choice is what I am currently using and it works fine. Do yourself a favor and upgrade the gun it will make a world of difference in the final finish.
 
RHankins said:
Your first choice is really junk, had one and it did nothing but make a huge mess. Second choice is what I am currently using and it works fine. Do yourself a favor and upgrade the gun it will make a world of difference in the final finish.
Click to expand...

What kind of gun should I upgrade too?
 
You can upgrade the gun from www.tptools.com

Depending on the air compressor you choose (atleast 3-5 Horsepower Running) will depend on the gun with correct nozzle size you need. The bigger the hole on the tip of the gun, the more Air compressor you need to power it. Blasting cabinets draw air VERY QUICKLY. if you end up getting a cheap 2 HP Running air compressor, that thing will be constantly running. Or every 20 seconds or so, it will need to fire up again. Those kinds of compressors are for air tools such as impact guns, and other car stuff. Not for a blasting cabinet.

http://www.tptools.com/dg/53_Abrasive-Blasting-Cabinets.html

any of those cabinets are great.

If you want to upgrade the gun, get this one

http://www.tptools.com/p/2189,18_Trigger-Operated-Power-Gun.html

I have it and it works bitchin. All the parts can be changed (when they wear out) unlike the harbor freight guns which many hose wise are glued onto the gun.

Always ALWAYS!!! check to make sure that the gloves are clamped on correctly (you'll see what I mean). Harbor Freight gloves blow chunks in my mind. I had a set crack on me in probably a few months. Very cheaply made. Get a replacment set from tptools or the link below when you have to.

http://www.toolsplus1.com/blgloves.htm

I have the 7" diamter hole x 24" long gloves A little long for my crappy cabinet but they work well and aren't gonna dry out and crack anytime soon.

The bigger the aircompressor (gallon wise you can afford) the better. if you only plan on doing this once in a blue moon, then you can get by with a 2 HP 33 Gallon or so compressor. But then again, it will fill up several times before you actually finish a blade.

ALWAYS WEAR A GOOD RESPIRATOR. That stuff [glass beads] will find their ways into your lungs very easily if you don't. You won't feel it till later after you've blasted.

Try staying away from cabinets with a very SHALLOW media pit as gravity doesn't work very well and the media gets stuck on the sidewalls. Your second choice setup/style looks good enough.

Another thing. When you receive any cabinet and before you use it, CAULK all the seams with some kind of caulking agent. Will prevent leakage by a lot. Most of these units are cheaply made in Taiwan or China.
 
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