[dedub]

Digging more and more into my suspension, motor parts, brackets ect... I'm finding that a sand blaster would be real handy on my car. I've looked online at Sears, Harbor Freight and a few others but I just don't know enough to make an educated buy. I'd like to hear some feedback on what you guys might be using, how much it was, how much is it to maintain and so on.
The more the feedback the better.

Thanks
Darrin

[Rambo_The_Dog]

Originally Posted by dedub

Digging more and more into my suspension, motor parts, brackets ect... I'm finding that a sand blaster would be real handy on my car. I've looked online at Sears, Harbor Freight and a few others but I just don't know enough to make an educated buy. I'd like to hear some feedback on what you guys might be using, how much it was, how much is it to maintain and so on.
The more the feedback the better.

Thanks
Darrin

First - I'd probably check Craigslist locally for a used commercial setup, sometimes you can get lucky and find a decent used setup.

I bought a Huge used Snap-On one from a friend of mine and the gloves were shot...Snap-On wanted 95.00 + shipping.

I found these guys and now buy all my blasting parts from them...

http://www.tptools.com/dg/53_Abrasiv...-Cabinets.html

If I had to do it again - I'd buy 1 of their kits and build my own!

http://www.tptools.com/SearchResult....rchTitleDescr=

[dedub]

Thanks Rambo,
That is a nice setup, especially the make it yourself kit. The problem is I have a Cambel Housfeld 13 Gallon 5 HP that only makes 5.1 CFM @ 90 PSI. Im a little short. Specs on the kit need 10-15 cfm air (3 HP minimum - 5 HP is better).

Darrin

[Rambo_The_Dog]

Originally Posted by dedub

Thanks Rambo,
That is a nice setup, especially the make it yourself kit. The problem is I have a Cambel Housfeld 13 Gallon 5 HP that only makes 5.1 CFM @ 90 PSI. Im a little short. Specs on the kit need 10-15 cfm air (3 HP minimum - 5 HP is better).

Darrin

Well - you might want to upgrade the compressor first! I doubt you'd be happy with the poor results the small compressor would yeild,

The smaller compressors - is this an oiless? - really pump out a lot of moisture in the lines - a big no-no for parts blaster.

Even with a bigger compressor you need more than a single filter inline - you need a refrigerated line dryer (the best) or some copper lines like this to cool the air and get the moisture out.



Until then - large parts you could farm out and smaller parts
you could buy a tumbler setup -

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93252

[dedub]

If that is your setup you did well! I got a rear end out of a Grand National going into an 80 ss elcamino I need blasted, you interested
Seriously, what your saying is whether I get a siphon or pressurized system, I need a bigger compressor?

Darrin

[OneMoreTime]

One of the things one needs to look at is the media being used..I found a product called Vitro Grit which is a crushed glass media..it is sharp and cuts very well and has really helped the performance of my blaster..I have a small siphon blaster for smaller stuff and a HF pressure blaster for larger projects...Still it can be cost effective to take a pile of parts to the local blaster when they are larger items or you have a lot to blast..

Sam

[trees]

dedub, I don't think you will do any sandblasting with your compressor. Sandblasters eat the air because you have to have a nozzle large enough to handle the media and you need the pressure along with the volume of air to move the media at a speed that will remove the rust and grime from the part you want blasted. One place you may want to look to do your blasting of big, heavy parts is a tomb stone business. They use big equipment to blast the lettering into the stones. Many of them take items on the side when they are not overly busy. You don't want to take sheet metal to them unless they know to turn down the flow and pressure.

Trees

[dedub]

I agree that my compressor is probably too small. What about this http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30979
It only requires 3.3 CFM to operate, it takes glass, sand, and aluminum oxide. I think it would OK to do brackets, control arms, springs ect...

Darrin
www.networxcomputer.net/elky/elky.html

[Henry the 32nd]

I purchased a tp blast cabinet years ago from them and am very happy. Yes my compressor is not large enough but after calling then they suggested their small nozzles etc and although I can't continually blast it works well if I take breaks. I also put a water trap at the cabinet.

[Rambo_The_Dog]

Originally Posted by dedub

I agree that my compressor is probably too small. What about this http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30979
It only requires 3.3 CFM to operate, it takes glass, sand, and aluminum oxide. I think it would OK to do brackets, control arms, springs ect...

Darrin
www.networxcomputer.net/elky/elky.html

No good, unless you have a fresh air supply and protective gear.

I started out a couple of years ago with a CH "5" hp oiless and a smaller HF blast cabinet -I barely used it because of too much moisture being generated and started clumping up the media.

The compressor I pictured I picked up on Craigslist a couple of years ago for a good price. With this compressor and the Snap-on cabinet I have now it's a joy to clean parts instead of a hassle.

Is this a "one-off" task you're doing - or would you find other uses/parts to work on?

If it's not a one-off, I'd wait until you can get the right tools or you'll not only throw good money after bad you'll waist your valuable time as well.

I know I have a hard time letting go and farming out work but sometimes it's just better ~ unless you have the space and money to buy the tools!

[dedub]

Thanks Rambo,

Now you got me thinking, do I want something for just a few small jobs or wait it out and get something that will last me some time??? I guess I'll sole search and figure out what it is I really want before I go and buy something.
Thanks for your input!
Darrin

[Chrome Eddie]

I have tried several options for cleaning parts and the one I like the best is soda blasting, doesn't warp the metal and it leaves a film on the will keep your parts from flash rusting. I have a large blast cabinet for wheels and larger parts but the soda blaster works better and is faster. The one I rented from Stripco was great for the frame and body parts, it comes on a trailer that is all self contained. It took me about 4 hours to soda blast the whole car. Another plus to soda blasting is you just need a dust mask and safety glasses. Hope this helps!

**************************

[OneMoreTime]

There is an issue with Soda Blasting that the soda blaster guys will not tell you about and that is the film left by soda will interfere with the adhesion of automotive paints and coatings..Too many horror stories from the painters to allow that stuff anywhere near a car...

Sam

[old fords]

I have a 10 gallon sandblaster run of of a 12 cfm compressor. It will work pretty good if you take breaks in between blasting. It will cut rust and paint easy but doesn't do good on grease

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by dedub

I agree that my compressor is probably too small. What about this http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=30979
It only requires 3.3 CFM to operate, it takes glass, sand, and aluminum oxide. I think it would OK to do brackets, control arms, springs ect...

Darrin

Don't waste time and money on that POS. I bought one several years ago and did not work worth a flip, even with a decent compressor. A better coice would be one that looks like a siphon type spray gun. FWIW, I seriously doubt your Cambell Hausfeld 5hp compressor is a TRUE 5hp compressor. They are notorious for embellishing the specs on their compressors.

Vince