Doing my research before I regret something. Looking at sandblasting instead of wire brush and sand paper. Looking for a sandblaster and need suggestions on buying one. My air compresser, 155 max psi, 11.5 at 90, 13.4 at 40 with a 60 gal tank.
Also what media is best? I want to plast the frame, rims and some body parts. I am not looking to blast the whole truck just the hard to get to places while I have it apart.

 

Purchased a cheap pressure blaster off ebay and used my small 6.5 cfm @ 90 psi, granted occasionally had to stop for the compressor to catch up. Suggest check for a local Sandblasting Equipment Supplier, the cost for shipping can be expensive, I was fortunately and happened upon one relatively close. Purhcased 50 lb bags of glass bean, and alum. oxide for around $40 ea. The shop was very helpful in recommending a medium for a specific job; in purchasing suggest contact supplier and inquire.

Having said that, there is not enough gear one can wear that will eliminate the medium from getting into every orifice in the human body, I tried by purchasing the canister face mask under the blasting hood, also goggles, and painters mask, and anything else I could wear, and still would be miserable for a couple days, particularly trying to keep dust out of my eyes. In addition, the medium can travel for couple hundred yards and unless you have understanding neighbors it could get a little tense and possibly expensive if they are critical about their vehicle paint job. Not familiar with pro's and con's of Soda Blaster, or other similar type equipment, perhaps another member can advise??

Don't expect I will deal with 'pressure blasting' in the future. For the large items I will rent a trailer and haul it to the site and have it done. For the other items I purchased the double door harbor freight blasting cabinet and either used the cabinet blasting equipment for the small stuff, or I would hooked up the pressure blaster to the Cabinet sandblaster and found it takes care of business; if were larger I would open both doors. Anyhow, food for thought??

 

You can build one for next to nothing if you have the tools. The most expensive thing on this one was the tank which is an old forklift tank that had expired(didn't know they did that). I picked it up for $5 from a propane vender. Just be very careful when opening the tank. I did mine full of water and after about half a dozen soapy water clear water rinses and a day of sitting with soapy water in it.

 

Your compressor will work, but it will be running constantly while blasting. Black Diamond, a coal slag media is inexpensive for one time use. I have one of these and while not perfect, it gets the job done: JobSmart® Portable Abrasive Blaster, 20 gal. Capacity - Tractor Supply Co.

 

Original thread posted few months back so I would assume already made a decision; if not, might as well use the opportunity to made couple more suggestions?? A 'do it yourself' would certainly be the cheapest way to go, I did not have the tools and equipment to make one up; having said that, there are couple other items may want to include. Definitely need a moisture extractor of some type, I had the standard water filter that came with the compressor and included an additional inline, with the smaller compressor, where it is running a majority of the time, a lot of moisture accumulates. Been awhile in using the pressure blaster but 1 of the items that wore out fairly quickly was the ' pressure blasting deadman valve', and ceramic nozzles, found Harbor Freight carried them so waited for a sale and pick up a couple; I thought $20 is too expensive?? Also, condensation in the hopper occasionally block the opening in the nozzle so I kept a paint gun wire nozzle cleaner, or something similar, and used it to dislodge the blockage. Posted for example purposes only:
Deadman Valve with 4 Ceramic Nozzles

If unable to make a pressure blaster suggest look for a reasonably priced blaster with the largest opening. The pressure blaster goes thru blasting media fairly quickly so one needs to re-cycle the used back into the hopper, I purchased the round type screen where it set on top over the hopper opening and then it was just a matter of collecting the blasting material and pour it back into the hopper. Posting for example purposes only:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prof-20-Gallon-PRESSURE-Sand-Blaster-Blasting-Abrasive-Tank-Gauge-Deadman-Valve-/360818743396?pt=Sanders_Sandblasters&hash=item5402791864

 

I got one from Northern a 80 lb sandblaster. I love it, I did order sand but started using play sand from Lowes and with my limited knowledge seems to work find. I pour a couple of bags out on a sheet of plywood to be sure it is dry. Dry is the key word. I also bought a strainer and strain any sand going into the tank. My wife is wanting me to blast some wood funiture. Will try it after finishing the truck. I did buy a larger air compressor and that makes more of a difference than the type of blaster.
thanks for all the comments

 

I am an industrial sandblaster so I know a bit about this. We don't normally do vehicles though. You can blast the frame and depending on what type of rims you have. If they are chromed you cannot blast them and have to be sent out to have the chrome stripped by a professional. And what body parts are you intending on blasting because from my work you cannot sand blast body panels as the metal is too thin, it must be hand sanded. For the best result for sandblasting, if it has lots of rust use Silica sand, it comes in different grades. Use sil 7, if it has lots of rust, and sil 4 if it doesn't.

 

I just blasted the frame, springs, driveshaft and just about anything below the cab. I will let the guy that will do my painting do all the prep work on the rest.
thanks for the advice.

 

I use play sand also. Just be sure to where a good respirator (one with the two filters on it)to keep the silica out of your lungs. That damage is permanent. If you're properly protected sand is fine.