Topic: Anyone here built a Sanblast Cab. or can recommend an inexpensive ...

[Otto]

..set up to use for blasting misc parts, small and maybe a CB750 Frame.   I would most likely do the frame in the driveway on a tarp... but been thinking for a while about a portable... I do have a 60 gallon compressor... But don't anything about blasting...

I would even consider a used one...

bc

[timdhawk]

harbor freight is the only way to go for these.. different sizes and inexpensive.

[Cowboy]

As long as you will only use it occaisionally, Harbor Freight has several complete setups (everything but the compressor) for just over $100. I've had one for years that I use to blast small parts. I even took the blast gun out of the cabinet and used it in the driveway once to blast the frame on my CB160.

My biggest complaint with the cabinet I have is that the top-loading door doesn't seal well, and a small but steady amount of fine material blows past the seal. Since the door is right in front of your face as you blast, you have to wear a respirator to keep from breathing it, and you wind up covered in gritand dust. Of course, if you are thinking of working in the open, you'll have the same problems, only worse.  For $100, I don't complain too much.

I'm in the process of building a larger cabinet, to fit moto frames. I will steal the blast parts from my cheap H-F cabinet, and throw it away when the large cabinet is finished.

If you want to build your own cabinet, Harbor Freight sells long rubber gloves, grit and a number of different blast guns, along with accessories. The only thing I can't find is some kind of sheet metal flanges to attach the gloves to my cabinet.

[TwoTired]

I made a blast cabinet out of an old refrigerator.  It's rectangular, totally gutted, just the shell and the door seal was salvaged.  I attached metal angle to it, so it sits on its side/back corner.  I mounted a glass window in the door which swings up along with the door.  I also mounted the gloves/gauntlets in the door below the glass.
The old shelves and condenser serve as grate/floor for internal parts.  The media pickup tube goes in the the bottom corner where the blast media funnels after going through the grating.  The blast nozzle came from Sears.

At the top on the end I cut a hole for the shop vac.  Smaller hole for the pressure feed coming from an air foot valve (which I got at a local salvage yard.)

It works well, but my compressor is way too small and can only last for small short jobs.  I might actually be able to get a stripped frame in there.  But, if that's your requirement, just find a large frig being discarded that a frame would fit into.

Cheers,

[mcuozzo]

I've got this one...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93608

Harbor freight makes a number of 'em but that's the biggest.  Believe me you want the biggest.  How big is your air compressor?  There is some discussion re: the size needed in the thread below (i think)

It's talked about here...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41208.0

Sporkfly built one himself, it's here...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41572.0

Hope that helps!

[Do0ki3 PWNS]

harbor freight is the only way to go for these.. different sizes and inexpensive.

i agree.

[Really?]

I've got this one also.  It works perty good but really need two people to put it together.  Kind of hard to tighten some of those nuts and bolts since you cant reach them with both hands.  Oh, walnut shells sure make it dusty inside and then outside through the hole in the side.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93608

[XN]

I also have a harbor freight unit.

Just what ever you do DON'T USE SAND! it can kill you! Breathing the dust can cause silicosis.

Coal slag (sometimes called black beauty) is a cheap alternative and available at most home improvement stores. I will warn you it is pretty aggressive and dusty.

I prefer Aluminum oxide but at a buck a pound it gets expensive. It cuts nice leaves a great finish for powdercoating or painting, last a long time and is less dusty than other media.

I have also used beads but I've seen evidence of it causing problems with powdercoating...

[Otto]

Interesting replies guys. Thanks.

I was actually thinking about sandblasting my 71 CB750K1 frame.. but may either have someone do it or use a chemical stripper. (Haven't had any luck with chemical strippers on engine clear coat, I hope the frame paint is different).

For smalled pieces the DIY or HF units would do the trick.

I have a 60 gallon compressor...

bc

[Laminar]

If you're looking to remove varnish and clean up misc small parts, you should consider a homemade soda blaster. Cheap, effective, environmentally safe.

[Otto]

Thanks! I was looking for that link...

I may give it a shot.

bc

[mcuozzo]

You can run soda in the harbor freight cabinets, no problemo.

The harbor freight units have a port to hook up a dust collector.  A shop vac with a filter bag works great.  Keeps the dust to an absolute minimum.

Yeah I wish harbor freight made one big enough for our frames!  I keep saying I'm going to make one out of plywood and their pressure blaster.

For the compressor is not really the gallons that matter it's the cfm at a certain pressure.  To run a blaster continuously you need about 10cfm at 100 psi. 

[dieselndixie]

wanna see the ghetto one I built?   i even posted a video

starts on page 2 if this link isnt right
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=47398.15

[kirkn]

I have the same big Harbor Freight one linked above.  Works great!  Keep it right in the garage with the discharge of the shop vac outside.  No dust at all!

+1 on the use of a shop vac.  No dust at all!

+1 on the sand / silicosis.  Although, you USED to be able to buy "silica sand" at home depot, etc. but not anymore...  However, as long as you wear even a cheap respirator, you're OK.  Coal slag too.  Black lung, anyone?

I also have an outdoor, total-loss system (also from Harbor Freight) for big items.  Got their cheapie hood, too.  Works great, and has done for years and years...



I've blasted using all kinds of media on all kinds of items - sand, black beauty, glass beads, walnut shells, soda  on  steel frames, rusty iron, aluminum engine cases, ignition and lighting coil windings, carb bodies, plastic fenders & side covers.  Pluses and minuses to each media for any particular item.

+1 on compressor VOLUME.  Pressure or gallon capacity of the tank is unimportant.  Nearly any compressor will provide 80 ~ 100 psi, which is all you need.  It's the volume of air at that pressure that's important.  10 ~ 15 CFM @ 100 psi is the most you'd need.  Sometimes much less if you're blasting at lower pressures (say, for gentle items).  My own compressor doesn't provide that much, but I just pause for a few minutes and let the compressor pump back up.  1 minute of blasting, 1 minute of wait, repeat indefinitely...  

Here's a link to another thread over on the HondaTwins forum discussing the various ways and means...

http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=618

[Laminar]

+1 on the sand / silicosis.  Although, you USED to be able to buy "silica sand" at home depot, etc. but not anymore...  However, as long as you wear even a cheap respirator, you're OK.  Coal slag too.  Black lung, anyone?

[Otto]

Laminar,

Is that you or the Boggie man? I told my grandson's that's what the boogie man looked like!

Thanks Kirkn,

Nice article showing the different media and their effect.

bc

[Laminar]

Larry Zoolander: I just thank the Lord she didn't live to see her son as a mermaid.
Derek Zoolander: Mer-MAN!
[high-pitched cough]
Derek Zoolander: Mer-MAN!

[Artfrombama]

I built a 36 x 24 blast cabinet from 16ga. sheet metal, then bought the gloves, pedal, blast gun from TIP
http://www.tptools.com/

[Otto]

Well,

I went to Tractor Supply to get one asnd they were out. Not sure it would have done soda blasting, maybe just a different tip?

So went to Sears, nothing in stock.

I have never had much luck with Harbor Freight stuff.. Not sure I want to go that route.

Maybe I'll look at Eastwood's web site.

I have learned a lot just by reading this post. I do know I want to be able to use different media though. Baking Soda, sand and beads, depending on what I am doing.

Keep the posts coming. Maybe we'll land on something.

bc

 

[mcuozzo]

Otto,

Harbor Freight is your friend!  Just get the cabinet and a 2 yr replacement plan.  It'll will probably still be cheaper than anywhere else.

I think any unit can blast with any media.  Case in point is eastwood now sells a pressurized total loss unit with two tanks and one nozzle so you can blast with different medias (or a mix!) with the simple twist of a lever.  

http://www.eastwood.com/dual-tank-blaster.html

I literally did the blasting in this picture without changing a thing.  Went from soda to coal slag and back in a matter of minutes with the Harbor Freight unit.