Sandblaster buying

[sunspot]

I not sure if this is the correct forum but what the heck.


I am interested in setting up a home sandblasting outfit. As of now, I have no equipment that would lend itself to the outfit. In other words, no air compressor and no hoses.
So I need an air compressor and a pot(?) is it called?
Any recommendations?

Compressors; How many GPM? I have seen some listed as SCFM. Something Cubic Feet per Minute?

Sand buckets;
Gravity fed, Siphon, Direct pressure? Any brands and model numbers to recommend?

I'm willing to spend up to $400. Is this possible? I really dislike sanding and wire brushing.

 

[em14]

Here is a good place to look and get some sound advice: TP Tools & Equipment ... These are good folks ...
Leo

 

[Egon]

I have a 3 HP air compressor. With this I am able to use a small sandblaster that has a suction hose going into a tank containing the medium.

My unit is marginal for proper operation and is slow.

I'm going to suggest that you check out some stores with knowledgeable sales staff and be prepared to invest a little more money. You need lots of air for a good job.

Don't forget the protective equipment. It's a requirement.

 

[sunspot]

Here is a good place to look and get some sound advice: TP Tools & Equipment ... These are good folks ...
Leo

So is $2,500-5,000 what it takes to set up a home unit? I was hoping for a bit less

 

[sunspot]

Don't forget the protective equipment. It's a requirement.

Oh yes, that's a must for me.

So what price range am I looking at? Ballpark will do just fine.

 

[Egon]

I'm sure you can do it for quite a bit less.

Check out the guns and see what airflow is required. That would give you a good handle on the compressor. My thoughts are it should use a piston type compressor but???

Ball park is hard as your prices are different than ours and your demands may differ from mine.

Now to put my foot in the mouth again!!

Say 5 HP compressor.

Guns can vary in price. The little unit I have cost about sixty dollars. The nozzles are the expensive part of the gun.

A pressurized tank about two hundred dollars??

Hood about fifty dollars

Mask at least 5o dollars.

Sorta a range??

 

[pilemonkey]

sunspot,

as part of your research, google "pressure assist sandblaster", or PA sandblaster. a fellow named rob from NH has developed a set of plans available online and has also set up a "group" at yahoo groups devoted to this system.

the concept is a hybrid b/t pressure pot and siphon fed systems. essentially, you are feeding media to the tip of the gun at relatively low pressure (6-8 psi), thereby reducing the amount of energy required by the system to pull media to the tip. 45-65 psi at the gun works fine for most applications. i bought the plans about a year ago and built one of these units.

if you plan on blasting relatively small items, it works great and requires less air than other systems providing the same output. this is the compressor i have and it has worked fine: Delta Machinery|Porter Cable Product Details for Shop Boss™ 175 PSI, Two-Stage 25 Gal. Oil Free Vertical Portable - Model # CPFC2TV3525VP
the largest item i have cleaned at once is a 12x36 woodworking lathe bed. no air volume/pressure issues encountered in doing so.

the trade off with this system is that it requires metal fabrication work to build, which may or may not be up your alley. all told, i spent i think $10 for the plans, and maybe $15 at walmart for a husky siphon feed gun, and maybe another $15 in misc. plumbing/hose. everything else i was able to scavenge at the dump. total time to build i am guessing was about 8hrs.

 

[wedge40]

sunspot,
. a fellow named rob from NH has developed a set of plans available online and has also set up a "group" at yahoo groups devoted to this system.

Could ewe please post more info about this? I've been mulling over building a small room or tent that I could do larger stuff in, but somehow reclaim most of medium.

Wedge

 

[sunspot]

I was looking/hoping for a tank and gun combo that was already matched. Farmwithjunk gave me a tip to look at the Clarke tanks at Tractor Supply. It asks for a 6-25 CFM compressor.
Clarke Tank
My use will be all outdoors. I have rust all over the place.

Egon. Thanks for the ballpark. That's what I was asking for. About $200 sounds reasonable for the tank.

Take a look at Texas Blaster and anyone give an opinion. $350 sans compressor. The 3/32 nozzle wants 8 CFM. I think that will be an expensive compressor.

Pilemonkey. Thanks for that tip but I'm not set up to do much metalworking. I have a small torch and a small drill press.

Wedge, I had thought of reclaiming medium but I'm guessing it should not be done.

 

[TCBoomer]

If you plan to do any serious blasting with a pressure fed unit, make sure the air comp is a 2 stage, preferably 100% continuous duty. Otherwise you'll kill the air comp in short order.