[tech69]

Just got an X-mas bonus and want to get a treat. Been thinking about a mini blaster. Is this worth it? I don't expect it to perform miracles but it would be nice for certain small areas on occasion. Does this thing actually work or is just too slow?

[MARTINSR]

I wouldn't work without one in my box. You could theoretically sand blast the dashboard in a car without pulling the upholstery out.

It is a very useful tool.

Brian

[tech69]

we're manually stripping a car right now and for tiny areas I'm thinking this would be good...getting behind that fender brace, trunk drop off, etc-etc. Do I have to turn up the compressor and have you tried it with the recovery bag? I think we're running our compressor at about 115 but feels like 90-100 at the tool. I'd hate to have to mess with compressor to use it. As for now I've been using a geared braided wire wheel and it works great, but has its limitations.

[MARTINSR]

I use it at home and don't have any more than 90 psi. And yes with the bag, that is what I was saying, it works so good at collecting the sand that you could literally use it on a dash board in a finished car and not even get the seats dirty. Now, I am exaggerating but not by much, if you were careful enough you really could pull off some sandblasting like that.

Brian

[tech69]

Where's my brains? I should have figured that by not taking out trim and interior you were referring to the recovery bag. Guess I just wanted to make sure. Man, this thing sounds awesome. I'm ordering now. Thanks! Do you just use silica since it's a small blaster?

[MARTINSR]

I just use regular old sand blasting sand from my local hardware store. While wearing a paint respirator I might add!

Brian

[tech69]

what an amazing tool! Anyone know what sand in particular I can get it and where I can get it for cheap?(not online) Manufacture says nothing bigger than 12 grit. I got some silica free sand on the website I bought it from but it's only 1 lb and it goes pretty fast, even with a recovery bag. Not sure what grit it is. They also say to use a filter of sorts before reusing the sand, but I went to home depot and they only had house paint filter bags. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[MARTINSR]

I get sand blasting sand that has a uniform size, don't know the grit. But I get it at the local Ace Hardware in 40lb bags.

Brian

[tech69]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I get sand blasting sand that has a uniform size, don't know the grit. But I get it at the local Ace Hardware in 40lb bags.

Brian

thanks, Martin. I'll go to Ace and check it out.

I notice the trigger gets stuck but am assuming it's due to sand flowing backwards into the area of the trigger. I have a hunch that by turning it off first and keeping it triggered for a second it will clean it out and keep that from happening, also assuming you should empty the collector bag asap as to not do the same and allow the sand to flow backwards.

[carolinacustoms]

As for a filter, someone may have a better idea than ours, but we reuse our sand atleast once. Each time you use it it gets a little slower because it is finer, but it saves a lot of money just to reuse once. For our big blaster we lay down a tarp and collect most of the sand. When done we have a plastic 55 gallon barrell and I made a quick wooden frame with screen wire for a filter(cheap from lowes, just regular window/door screen). Just pour from the tarp to a bucket and from the bucket through the screen into the barrell. It works well for the big blaster, IDK if it would filter small enough for the tip on the spot blaster or not. We have one of the spot blasters, but havent used it much lately because everything has been all over type work. I do like it on smaller repairs it is great for tight spots or small chips that have rusted when the whole panel doesnt need blasting.

[tech69]

Originally Posted by carolinacustoms

As for a filter, someone may have a better idea than ours, but we reuse our sand atleast once. Each time you use it it gets a little slower because it is finer, but it saves a lot of money just to reuse once. For our big blaster we lay down a tarp and collect most of the sand. When done we have a plastic 55 gallon barrell and I made a quick wooden frame with screen wire for a filter(cheap from lowes, just regular window/door screen). Just pour from the tarp to a bucket and from the bucket through the screen into the barrell. It works well for the big blaster, IDK if it would filter small enough for the tip on the spot blaster or not. We have one of the spot blasters, but havent used it much lately because everything has been all over type work. I do like it on smaller repairs it is great for tight spots or small chips that have rusted when the whole panel doesnt need blasting.

sounds great. Thanks for that.