What Sand Blaster? Thanks Jeff!

[Barnyard]

Now that I have a 5 hp air compressor with and 80 gallon tank I'd like to add a portable sand blaster to clean up sheet metal and heavy iron. Any recommendations?

[ScottyD'sdad]

The portables waste a lot of sand. I'm planning to make a blast cabinet from a home heating oil tank, as soon as the promised tank appears. Ed

[KETCHAM]

I agree...Great if you want a beach!!!! Kevin

[Barnyard]

Well, I reckon that would rule out blasting my trailers and Jeep bodies.

[Dale Shaw]

Well, I reckon that would rule out blasting my trailers and Jeep bodies.

Unless you turned part of BOB into a cabinet. Plastic sheeting can make good walls and floor. Would not need a roof unless you were blasting the rafters.

[Bezirk]

I recommend the "Texas Blaster" info @ Texas Blaster.com , it is made in USA ( imagine that ) and is a very heavy duty unit. Cost last year was in the $500.00 range
Berlin

[Mr E]

Gotta love the way the data reads! Makes the article fun to read.

[Bill Hudson]

Bill,

Take a look here http://www.tptools.com/. Sand blasters galore! Might be worth a trip to Canfield. They have several set up in their showroom, they are very knowledgeable, and great to deal with. If you don't want to drive to Canfield, give them a call, ask for Jim, he has been great each time I've visited the showroom.

If you decide to come to Canfield, I'll meet you with donuts. Ed is far enough away that he should not be lurking in the shadows waiting to snatch the donuts.

Also, anyone traveling near Canfield, it might be worth a short side trip to stock up.

Bill

[Barnyard]

Ed is far enough away that he should not be lurking in the shadows waiting to snatch the donuts.

I think Ed is already gassing up his truck!

I will keep that one in mind, but Canfield is a five hour drive. I'd have to leave at two in the morning to get the fresh donuts and Ed may still beat me to them!

[ScottyD'sdad]

Ed is far enough away that he should not be lurking in the shadows waiting to snatch the donuts.

I think Ed is already gassing up his truck!

I will keep that one in mind, but Canfield is a five hour drive. I'd have to leave at two in the morning to get the fresh donuts and Ed may still beat me to them!

Its a 12 hour drive, for me. Probably cheaper to get donuts, locally! Besides, lo cal donuts are better for my waistline! Ed

[ricky racer]

I'll add my (you knew I would). At one time I thought I wanted a sand blaster for the same reasons as you. However that desire went away after borrowing one from a friend to use one weekend. My blasting was in the heat of summer and I quickly found out that when you are sweating, sand will stick to you. In fact sand will stick to you from head to toe and every (and I mean every) place in between. You have to wear a hood that you can't hardly see through and you have a whole lot of cleaning up afterward.
Also a 5 hp compressor won't keep up with most sand blasters. Make sure you check the required CFM and make sure it will match the compressor output. As the nozzle wears the blaster will require more CFM.
Anyway, after my experience I take my parts to a real sand blasting guy when I need blasting done. Out in the shop I use a 4" angle grinder with a heavy duty wire cup brush to remove rust and paint. It works good but does make a dusty mess. I always wear a dust mask to keep my lungs clear. Remember, that old paint may contain lead.
Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

Rick

[Jason (IL)]

I got a 5gal siphon feed and a small blast cabinet that holds about 8 lbs or so. I use them with a 5 hp compressor and they work ok. I just got the cheap one at Rural King here about 3 yrs ago. It is better to have the CFM but a single or double stage compressor does make a difference and a 2 cylinder works faster. I have a 3 cylinder now and will be trying out here shortly. I do know, when it kicks on, it does not run very long at all.

Make sure you get a pair of heavy coverall's, a respirator, ear plugs, and a good upper body mask before you start. Safety equipment is a must for me.



Good Luck,

[Barnyard]

Thanks for the input guys! I used to blast Jeep bodies using a friends blaster and gear so I already know about the safety end of it. I just thought I'd see if there were any brand recommendations out there. Looks like it could be more of a user's preference.

This will be done outside using a canopy frame with side walls to cut down on wind but with no top. I will probably have a cheapie tarp to walk on and catch the sand so I don't have to clean up so much.

[Dale Finch]

I wear a tyvek suit with hood and booties (Lowe's for about $10). Then ear plugs (those blasters are noisy!), respirator, blasting hood (Northern Toolhttp://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200239524_200239524), And finally a pair of blasting cabinet gloves that reach the elbow.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200132324_200132324 After getting sand "EVERYWHERE" the first time, this system really keeps things pretty clean and safe. This suit setup IS hotter than hades, though, and I am using a commercial air compressor at a paint shop, and it even has a hard time on hot summer days...trips off now and then.

I blast outdoors with a unit similar to this http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200229924_200229924. I hang a large tarp from a line of trees, & sweep the concrete in front then lay another tarp on the ground. That allows me to sweep up the sand more easily. I pour the sand through a screen (also Northern Toolhttp://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200320831_200320831) to get the big stuff out. I can reuse the Playground Sand (~$3/bag from Lowe's) several times before it is pulverized to dust.

[Jim Becker]

I'll add my (you knew I would). At one time I thought I wanted a sand blaster for the same reasons as you. However that desire went away after borrowing one . . .

My experience exactly.

I have a blasting cabinet that I use regularly. It pretty well contains the dust and media. My last project, I used the e-tank then finish pieces in the cabinet. Some things don't fit in one or the other or either.