sand blast questions

[Don H]

I've got a HF 110# sand blaster. It's a pain, keeps clogging at the tank outlet. Apparently the moisture in the compressed air causes it.

110 lb. Pressurized Abrasive Blaster

 

[Professor Marvel]

One of my best friends in college sandblasted an entire MG with a small compressor, probably < 2HP. Did it outside w/ playground sand on a tarp and took his sweet time.
It wasn't fast but it fit his budget.

what style of sandblaster did he use?

 

[Professor Marvel]

What you need is CFM's not PSI's.

I actually did 4 steel 'cofee' chairs with sand blasting. 150 cfm compressor and 3 bags of sand
Also my 60" snowblower.
Both jobs took about 1 hour at a DIY site* that sold sand and provided air.
Later we did a Chevy Van and blasted all rust spots at the same firm.
Blasting IMHO resumes as 50 PSI and 100CFM. with CFM being the magic solution.
OK, I can spot blast with a hand held 'pot' but that's only OK for the odd rust spot on my truck, not fenders or running boards.

*they charged $25/hr for the air + $8.00/bag for media

I was not aware of this type of business. I will look into it locally

 

[newbury]

what style of sandblaster did he use?

Little handhel with a tube stuck in a bucket of sand.

 

[AGRIMAN]

Coming from someone who does a lot of blasting, if you are only interested in doing a few pieces of furniture, just take it to a local commercial blaster. You will be much better off in the long run.

If you are wanting a small blaster for other projects, try and find out how many CFM's you have and match the the blaster to it. Remember, CFM is everything and if you are under the requirements of the blaster, you will spend most of your time waiting on the compressor to catch up.

I have a 350 lbs pot with 250 CFM and we don't reclaim. You can do it with a small scale outfit if you have the extra time, but make sure you screen it. We are set up for continuous blasting and it's not worth it to us.

I use 35/65 blasting sand and we buy it thru a local lumber store for $3.25 a bag. We usually buy it by the pallet.

 

[AGRIMAN]

I've got a HF 110# sand blaster. It's a pain, keeps clogging at the tank outlet. Apparently the moisture in the compressed air causes it.

110 lb. Pressurized Abrasive Blaster

Yes sir, moisture will make you put what hair you have out and without a dryer, there's not much you can do. Running a 50' air hose between your compressor and blaster will help. You can also wrap it around the inside of a container and add a few bags of ice.

 

[J_J]

I have done a lot of wet sandblasting using a pressure washer and a sand blast kit on boat trailers, landscape trailers, rims, wrought iron chairs, bicycles, etc.

Does a good job if you know how.

You have to keep the suction orifice on top of the gun so the sand can flow without getting wet before it leaves the suction tube.

Suction on bottom of the blaster is a no no as the suction tube gets wet and clogs up.

Then spray with alcohol or heat the metal , to prevent rust.

http://youtu.be/kfA-IkaMRGE

There is also soda blasting.

http://youtu.be/gRDX6BPzpj0

Search results for: 'sandblasting'

I also have one of these.

21 Oz. Hopper Gravity Feed Spot Blaster Gun

 

[Don H]

Yes sir, moisture will make you put what hair you have out and without a dryer, there's not much you can do. Running a 50' air hose between your compressor and blaster will help. You can also wrap it around the inside of a container and add a few bags of ice.

Thanks! Next time I use the blaster maybe I'll use a trash can with ice and 50' of coiled hose.

 

[dodge man]

They also make a dryer you can just put in line. I have something called a Vortec dryer or similar name. They also make throw away ones that look a little bit like a small gas filter.

 

[Don H]

They also make a dryer you can just put in line. I have something called a Vortec dryer or similar name. They also make throw away ones that look a little bit like a small gas filter.

I didn't have any luck with the Harbor Freight inline dryers.