[gow589]

Yes I have lost on off at the valve. I could put an on off at the pressure source. Off would not be instantaneous. It would take a few seconds for the air to bleed down. Frankly my quick connect is my on off. When you pull the quick connect it bleeds down pretty fast. When you connect, you have a second or so before the air builds up.

I know some will say what a big deal it is to have a dead man but basically the blaster is not that aggressive. Even dropping the end it just flops around a bit.

The real advantage is, when you hold it for a long period of time the less weight and mass is far easier to hold and direct. It is also easier to get into tight spaces.

[Old Fool]

A person could install a 12vdc solenoid valve on the supply air to the tank. run a door bell wire up to the end of the hose and put a press button switch at the end or you could use a foot pedal. Power the thing with a 12 volt motorcycle battery mounted on the tank. Simple cheap and easy.

[Riot Racing]

Originally Posted by Old Fool

A person could install a 12vdc solenoid valve on the supply air to the tank. run a door bell wire up to the end of the hose and put a press button switch at the end or you could use a foot pedal. Power the thing with a 12 volt motorcycle battery mounted on the tank. Simple cheap and easy.

How is that simple at all?
It's much simpler to use a valve at the end of the blasting end

[Old Fool]

Originally Posted by Riot Racing

How is that simple at all?
It's much simpler to use a valve at the end of the blasting end

You would maintain control of the air flow and not have the valve wearing out or dealing with the bulkiness and weight of the valve assy.

[aminga]

Originally Posted by Riot Racing

I call it SAND but I am actually using a product called "Black beauty". "Black Beauty" is one fo the most common abrasive blasting medias there is. Its efficent, reusable and fairly inexpensive.

I have a similar problem with Black Beauty (20/40) grit in my blaster. It's all in the setting of the valve at the bottom. Unfortunately I haven't figure it out either. Open the valve to much and the media clogs the spray nozzle. Not enough and it clogs in the valve at the bottom of the pot.

[OneMoreTime]

I use 80 grit media with no issue..perhaps guys need to use a finer media...

Sam

[Riot Racing]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

I use 80 grit media with no issue..perhaps guys need to use a finer media...

Sam

McMaster Carr's website does not have 80 grit Black Beauty. Only 40 and 60.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#abrasive-bl...-media/=foao67

I need to get out there and play with this blaster again. I've been busy welding and assemblying the car. I really need to dedicate some time to getting the blaster working. I am kind of worried that because I eliminated the valve at the bottom of the tank, I might not be able to get it back on. I had to re-thread the hole at the bottom of the tank to install the pipe that replace the valve...

[gow589]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

I use 80 grit media with no issue..perhaps guys need to use a finer media...

Sam

I have been using the black blasting Medea form Menards and started having a devel of a time getting the valve adjusted right. I was using play sand which was $2.50 per bag which worked pretty well. I might try mixing them a little next time to see if I can get the valve to work a little better.

[aminga]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

I use 80 grit media with no issue..perhaps guys need to use a finer media...

Sam

Could be but the black beauty in any grit doesn't flow that well. It bridges.

[mitmaks]

I have same exact one at home. You should get owners manual and read it, it will explain how to use it. You can download it directly off of HF website

[Riot Racing]

Originally Posted by gow589

This was the best advice from this thread. This nozzle works great. I didn't even drill it out to open it up.

I did change my blasting media to Aluminum oxide 80grit

I am still having issues with consistent blasting. When i fiddle with the valve the blaster will BLAST great for a few mins. Then, it acts like it is clogged and stops blasting. I fiddle with things more and it will blast again.

It's inconsistent and unpredictable. By the end of the day I was covered in dust and was frustrated.

I have more blasting to do, but I really need to get this figured out before I can get too involved with it all.

Anymore suggestions?

I downloaded the manual from the website. That was the second best advice

[milo]

I've found the number 60 sand to work best at lowwer pressures with the common siphon feed...the trick is to set up a free flowing funnel type system to keep the sand loose from getting packed,,

check it-> http://youtu.be/5dGq9FijP_8

.
.

[graydog]

I have used this sand blaster for several years and it is affected by moisture just like the smaller ones. On the left is a wooden cabinet I made before I bought the big one. I used a siphon system in it and use it for glass beads occasionally now.

[John long]

Originally Posted by Riot Racing

This was the best advice from this thread. This nozzle works great. I didn't even drill it out to open it up.

I did change my blasting media to Aluminum oxide 80grit

I am still having issues with consistent blasting. When i fiddle with the valve the blaster will BLAST great for a few mins. Then, it acts like it is clogged and stops blasting. I fiddle with things more and it will blast again.

It's inconsistent and unpredictable. By the end of the day I was covered in dust and was frustrated.

I have more blasting to do, but I really need to get this figured out before I can get too involved with it all.

Anymore suggestions?

I downloaded the manual from the website. That was the second best advice

I have the same 40lb blaster and also used Black Beauty with the same issues. I could take the top fill cap off, stick a wooden broomstick handle down in the tank and it would come out wet with the media sticking too it. Bottom line is you must absolutely have dry air. The pressure pot is way more efficient but a siphon unit has the advantage of not contaminating the hopper with moisture from the compressor.

John L

[buicfrank]

Had the same problem with valve. Took it off and it was clogged as though moisture had gathered. Cleaned it up and was good as new. Frank