Stupid sandblaster keeps clogging
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 36
From: Greenville, SC
If you do a google search for "Black Beauty Blast Media" it shows many places to buy it.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 338
Likes: 2
From: Northern MA
Yeah, when I blast I'll blow a fan over the air tank to cool it down a little and leave the drain open just a whisker so the shaking of the compressor will coax all the water out. I've also shimmed my compressor (horizontal) to pitch it 2 inches toward the drain. One trap on the compressor output and another cyclone dryer on the blaster. Dry is key, I was thinking of using a coil of copper pipe in a bucket of water to extract even a little more. Tap water temp being 55 degrees, that'd work great on an 80 degree day.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,174
Likes: 4,781
From: Burbank, WA
Just to be clear, none of this stuff is healthy. Dust and debris from Black Beauty-type materials are just as deadly as silica. Perhaps you noticed where it said it is a coal slag product? I'm assuming you eastern guys have heard of 'Black Lung?' Bottom line is, be careful when using any of these products and use the proper safety equipment. Eyes, lungs, and body. You don't have to be afraid of these products and materials, (and I'll include paint for this discussion, as well) but you should treat them with respect.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
Sam
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 3
From: Gatesville, TX
I have the same pot as the one you are using. I use Black Diamond in it. I get it at Tractor Supply. It works better than sand and less dust.I have 2 water separators on the pot. After I installed them, I don't have problems with clogging anymore. The bottom valve is about half open and the top valve is wide open. Use the largest nozzle you can use and still maintain 75-80 PSI at the pot. I have run many, many bags of Black diamond and the pot works great.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 261
From: East KY
You're definitely right. Trust me, I deal with black lung in one way or other every day. I take care of a lot of guys with silicosis too around here (usually highwall drill operators). As a matter of fact, I've got one hooked up to oxygen and an IV right now.
Most of the men in my family look like this guy at the end of the day.
Most of the men in my family look like this guy at the end of the day.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 261
From: East KY
I have the same pot as the one you are using. I use Black Diamond in it. I get it at Tractor Supply. It works better than sand and less dust.I have 2 water separators on the pot. After I installed them, I don't have problems with clogging anymore. The bottom valve is about half open and the top valve is wide open. Use the largest nozzle you can use and still maintain 75-80 PSI at the pot. I have run many, many bags of Black diamond and the pot works great.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 338
Likes: 2
From: Northern MA
You're definitely right. Trust me, I deal with black lung in one way or other every day. I take care of a lot of guys with silicosis too around here (usually highwall drill operators). As a matter of fact, I've got one hooked up to oxygen and an IV right now.
Most of the men in my family look like this guy at the end of the day.
Most of the men in my family look like this guy at the end of the day.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,773
Likes: 169
From: Pt.St.Lucie , Fla.
Havre blasted tons of sand and parts . 3 main points .
1 . Media MUST be dry !!!
2 . If media will not pass thru window screen , it will not pass thru blaster.
3. Air /sand ratio is most important .
Get sand from a ridge by the rail tracks .Pure white sugar sand . Spread out to dry , sift over a large container with a frame work made out of metal window screen , store inside and blast away when needed .Plenty of sand here in Fla.
1 . Media MUST be dry !!!
2 . If media will not pass thru window screen , it will not pass thru blaster.
3. Air /sand ratio is most important .
Get sand from a ridge by the rail tracks .Pure white sugar sand . Spread out to dry , sift over a large container with a frame work made out of metal window screen , store inside and blast away when needed .Plenty of sand here in Fla.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 2
From: CASA GRANDE AZ
how much CFM is your compressor putting out ? to small of a compressor and you can only open the valve just a little ! i have used lots of silica sand from Home Depot and had good results on equipment , but always wore a good mask , not those cheap dust masks that you get 5 or 8 for a few bucks !
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 261
From: East KY
I've got that upright 60 gallon Ingersoll Rand compressor that Tractor Supply sells. I think it's 11.3 CFM. I know, I probably need one even bigger than that. I'm gonna have to stop and let it catch up quite a bit. Which brings up another point--I probably should shut that sand valve off completely during rest periods so that a ton of sand doesn't trickle down and clog the pipe. I'm realizing I made just about every mistake possible yesterday. LOL. But hey, maybe somebody else will read this and learn something too.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I've got that upright 60 gallon Ingersoll Rand compressor that Tractor Supply sells. I think it's 11.3 CFM. I know, I probably need one even bigger than that. I'm gonna have to stop and let it catch up quite a bit. Which brings up another point--I probably should shut that sand valve off completely during rest periods so that a ton of sand doesn't trickle down and clog the pipe. I'm realizing I made just about every mistake possible yesterday. LOL. But hey, maybe somebody else will read this and learn something too.
you can shut the air valve into the tank.,.
Sam
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 692
Likes: 3
From: Gatesville, TX
When you say you have 2 water separators on the pot, are you meaning you have 2 mounted in sequence on the incoming line before it splits? I'm just glad to hear that there is hope for this thing and the operator is the problem (I'm starting to recognize a trend there ).
).
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 165
From: Harpswell Maine
I am very pleased with the purchase about 3 years ago of a 7 1/2 hp IR 2 stage compressor. I previously used a Smith Gordan conversion setup for a Model A or B short block. It compresses on #2 and #3 and fires on #1 and #4. Since the Model A is about 40 hp, I figured that I had about a 20 hp gas air compressor. The IR is about equal to the old Smith Gordan setup for air delivery.
For continuous running of a sandblaster, I find that the 7 1/2 hp 2 stage IR is the right size.
For continuous running of a sandblaster, I find that the 7 1/2 hp 2 stage IR is the right size.