Author Topic: Sand blasters and cabinets - opinions (Read 1956 times)

greenjeans · « **on:** January 12, 2016, 09:39:39 AM »

Just was given one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/110-lb-pressurized-abrasive-blaster-60696.html
The guy that had it just cussed it and cussed it. He had it loaded with black beauty and the media is just too big for the nozzle. I have everything cleaned out and am now wanting a cabinet or something to contain the media. Hence, a cabinet. Don't want to break the bank, but it would be nice to have a cabinet to do small parts in. Was thinking glass bead.

I can get either pretty cheap either at HF or of CL. Does anybody have either of them ? Any insight or modifications that you have done ?

http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-68893.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-42202.html

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2016, 10:10:54 AM »

I have the second one without the stand. Works great for my purposes. It fits all the engine parts. Some are a little tight but it works. Using their glass bead. Just be sure to replace the bead occasionally as it'll crush up too fine and be difficult to use. $40 for a 50lb box.

I'd say it depends on if you need the stand or not. The bottom dump looks nice. I didn't compare dimensions between the two?

I just wish it had an internal fluorescent tube though. Plus I'm thinking of replacing the glass if I can order it. The gloves began leaking at the cabinet after a few years so I just removed the retaining ring and pulled them out an inch or two and replaced the ring.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2016, 12:02:10 PM »

I too have the second, table-top cabinet.
Before I used it I sealed all the seams with silicone and installed a small florescent fixture.
I alternate between glass beads and soda, although it's kinda a PITA to clean the cabinet when switching media.

I replaced the leaking gloves a couple of years ago with a better set.
So far the glass is still clear enough. (I'd just get a piece of tempered cut to size if I need to replace it.)
For all the use I've put it to I kinda wish now I'd gotten the larger cabinet with the stand.

What compressor do you have? For really effective blasting you want ~90psi -~15cfm.

CBGhia · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2016, 01:02:08 PM »

I have the bigger one. The cabinet is pretty good. It comes with a gun, so the blaster you have is not needed (as long as you have a decent compressor).
Like others have said, the gloves suck. It does have a light and it doesn't leak too bad.

greenjeans · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2016, 02:11:34 PM »

Hey Ghia, Is yours a siphon feed ? The one I have is pressure, so I think I like that.

NobleHops · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2016, 08:43:21 PM »

When I was setting up I asked for advice on this very subject and was advised to buy a Trinco. They come in every possible shape and size, are built like good old school American tools, super sturdy, parts are common and cheap, etc. The dust evac is key - it takes much of the spent media right out of the cabinet in the air and that makes for much more consistent results.

If you're going to use it a lot I'd hold out for one of these, new or used. And a dryer for your air - that is crucial for production work.

N.

calj737 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2016, 03:46:40 AM »

+1 on a Trinco. I have their 36" cabinet and it works extremely well with a variety of media, interior lighted, replaceable glass shields, and more than enough suction to keep the working area clear. Hook it up to a quality compressor to feed it, because blast cabinets are hungry beasts.

NobleHops · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2016, 06:11:14 AM »

Word - it does chow air!

CBGhia · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2016, 06:49:09 AM »

Quote from: greenjeans on January 12, 2016, 02:11:34 PM

Hey Ghia, Is yours a siphon feed ? The one I have is pressure, so I think I like that.

Yep, siphon feed. Pulls it out of the bottom of the cabinet. Just keeps feeding itself until you wear out the beads.

jaguar · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2016, 06:53:09 AM »

I have the larger bench top one.
Works great

greenjeans · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2016, 07:49:11 AM »

Do either of you guys have any trouble with the siphoning of the media ?

CycleRanger · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2016, 07:58:01 AM »

Quote from: greenjeans on January 14, 2016, 07:49:11 AM

Do either of you guys have any trouble with the siphoning of the media ?

Only with the soda when the humidity is high it gets a bit clumpy. No issues with glass beads.

NobleHops · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2016, 10:23:27 AM »

Quote from: greenjeans on January 14, 2016, 07:49:11 AM

Do either of you guys have any trouble with the siphoning of the media ?

I've got a big 'ol Ingersoll Rand dryer in line with mine, and I am in a low humidity part of the world as it is. Between the two my media is fluffy and dry, and I don't put greasy stuff in the cabinet too. I wouldn't attempt any large amount of soda blasting without at least a couple of those cartridge desiccant filters in line if you don't have a dryer. I do keep as rubber mallet on top of the cabinet and give the sides a bonk before I start a session of blasting though, just to get any media that is sticking to the sides to fall down into the mix.

Bailgang · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2016, 02:34:30 PM »

The only problem I have with my siphon feed cabinet is the sides aren't steep enough so the sand doesn't settle to the bottom like it should so I have to keep a rubber mallet handy to shake things up a bit otherwise the siphon end will expose itself and not draw anything in. Mine is a home built cabinet that I bought but whoever built it did a very good job except for not making the bottom steep enough.

jaguar · « **Reply #14 on:** January 14, 2016, 03:33:55 PM »

I have had mine clog, but that was due to large pieces of chrome I was blasting off getting sucked up.

It isn't a "set and forget" tool.
Doesn't run 100% all day every day.
But it was $100 and really works well

Garage_guy_chris · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2016, 03:46:35 PM »

It sounds like your looking for something more professional. but let me say plywood stands up surprisingly well. I built this cabinet for about $30 in materials when i built my first bike and its still going strong after the second and probably 100 hrs worth of blasting. I have a hole where i hook up a shopvac and that takes care of alot of the dust and broken down media. every half hour or so i use a dust pan to scoop up the media in the bottom and put it back in the feed bucket. its not ideal but for occasional use it works great.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2016, 03:56:50 PM »

Quote from: jaguar on January 14, 2016, 03:33:55 PM

I have had mine clog, but that was due to large pieces of chrome I was blasting off getting sucked up.

It isn't a "set and forget" tool.
Doesn't run 100% all day every day.
But it was $100 and really works well

Do you have any pics?

jaguar · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2016, 05:07:06 AM »

Standard HB unit.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2016, 07:31:47 AM »

That's a decent size cabinet jaguar,how many cfm's are required to operate it efficiently ?
or what's the minimum amount of CFM that they say you need to run that cabinet ?

DohcBikes · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2016, 08:56:17 AM »

I have the large HF cabinet and i love it. One of the most usefull things in the shop.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2016, 09:43:51 AM »

Quote from: jaguar on January 30, 2016, 05:07:06 AM

Standard HB unit.

Here's an image of the interior.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2016, 11:21:24 AM »

+1. That's mine too. I use a 5.5 20gal 11.9cfm 110-120lb compressor. All the engine parts will fit inside.

Better watch doing those carbs. I was recently chastised on here for doing that

We'll see how that goes in a couple weeks

I also have a 13lb bag of baking soda (Sam's) sitting on top of my glass bead now. Works better in the cat box and hot tub. It's probably too fine to do what we need efficiently. Guess I could buy a 40LB $40 bag of HF larger grit and use just the refilled bag inside the cabinet?? Figure it won't harm anything mixing with the bead.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2016, 12:59:02 PM »

Quote from: Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er on January 30, 2016, 11:21:24 AM

+1. That's mine too. I use a 5.5 20gal 11.9cfm 110-120lb compressor. All the engine parts will fit inside.

Better watch doing those carbs. I was recently chastised on here for doing that We'll see how that goes in a couple weeks

I also have a 13lb bag of baking soda (Sam's) sitting on top of my glass bead now. Works better in the cat box and hot tub. It's probably too fine to do what we need efficiently. Guess I could buy a 40LB $40 bag of HF larger grit and use just the refilled bag inside the cabinet?? Figure it won't harm anything mixing with the bead.

I have an 80gal tank that gives me ~15cfm@90psi.
In that photo I have the cabinet loaded with plain ol' Arm & Hammer. I've cleaned many carbs using just A&H.
It is a bit fine and clumps some when the humidity is high but it's cheap.

I suspect that a bit more coarse grit soda would work better/faster but so far I've only had one carb with wood smoke stains that I couldn't make look like new using just the A&H.

I wouldn't use beads on carburetors. Might be ok for bodies but beads will strip the cad/zinc plating from the steel pieces.
However switching media is a pita. I take the whole cabinet out and hose it out.

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Author Topic: Sand blasters and cabinets - opinions (Read 1956 times)