Was looking for blast cabinet but unless compressor can put out up to 15 cfm your kinda limited to the small box type. Started looking into the portable type 'Pressure Blaster, as opposed to the 'Siphon type', and appears they work with less cfm but cost about the same as good size cabinet. Compressor I have is a 6hp craftsman putting out about 6.5 cfm at 90psi, although max psi is 150. It would seem I would have to use the smaller nozzle to stay within the 6.5 to 7.5 cfm output, talkin about 3/32", wow it could be an all day to do medium size job, not to mention amount of abrasive needed. Anyone have any experience with either.

dave

 

The size of the blast cabinent only determines what size piece you can blast inside of it. Without upgrading your compressor you will have to use a smaller size nozzle tip and wait for you compressor to recover from time to time. The blast media in a blast cabinent is recycled, so you only need to replace it when it becomes worn out. I have the Medium Blast cabinent from Eastwood and I like it a lot. It has two side doors and foot pedal operation of the siphon gun. I have even blasted larger items than the cabinent by leaving one door open and taping a large trash bag around the door opening to slide the larger piece into. You need a good water trap to keep the moisture out of the blast cabinet. I use aluminum oxide blast media mostly in my cabinet, but I have also used glass bead as well for delicate items. You also need a shop vac hooked up to these cabinets, preferably one with secondary air filtration to trap the fine dust. I use a porter cable shop vac on my cabinet. I also have a pressure blaster I use for large items that I blast outside and it does work much faster than your standard siphon feed blasters, but it can make a real mess and you need to wear full body protection and a respirator.

 

Appreciate the info., very helpful. Got a quote on cost of having rad support blasted, seems owning would pay for itself with just a few items if able to keep my appetite within reason; not to mention time spent with wire wheel, grinder, and sanding. Browsing Eastwood catalog, did'nt see the 2 side door cabinet, will go online and check. Browsing another catalog and came across the 'uni-ram Blast Vac' self contained abrasive recall sys. Anyhow, intend to purchase a cabinet first, look into others sys. later.

dave

 

Dave, I looked online and in my Eastwood catalog and it looks like they no longer carry the blast cabinet I purchased from them ~ 3 years ago. When I bought mine they only had three to choose from, small, medium, and large, but now they seem to have many more cabinets to choose from. Another place I have done business with is TP Tools http://www.tptools.com/ and they have quality equipment and good information on blasting as well. Good luck.

 

I've done some small jobs in an improvised blast cabinet: a large clear plastic bag.
Put the thing you need to sandblast in the bag, stick the nozzle in and hold the bag shut around it, but loosely so the air can escape.

 

Browsing ebay earlier and came across cabinet blaster tp tools has on auction. Called their business in OH, spoke w/ salesperson and ordered their catalog. Swap meet coming up first week Nov. usually have cabinet blaster rep onsight, thought if able to find quality cabinet perhaps could upgrade on money saved for shipping.

Angus, often thought about using the bag, or something simular. All the media particles going everywhere never sounded appealing. Thought about using 55 gal. drum also, only problems don't think would be able to see what I'm doing. It would seem if able to find those heavy duty clear bags it would work. Have to give it some thought for medium size items.

Majority of the work I will be doing is removing paint/rust from floor pans, body, and various body parts. It would seem a 'Blast-Vac' system would be ideal although, besides the cost, it would seem the size of the nozzle may limit one's access in confined areas. Anyhow, appreciate the info. meantime will browse catalogs and make a wish list.

dave

 

I have both types. The pressure tank blaster works best but uses ALOT of the blasting media(black diamond). Of course you have to use it OUTSIDE. The cabinet is best for small parts and things like rocker covers and air breathers.etc. I have attached a vacum cleaner to it and all of the dust is pulled away. I use a regular wet/dry vac with a little moter oil poured into the bottom of the collector tank and this helps with the dust. You not use regular sand in any blaster because of the silica dustwhich CAN KILL YOU IF YOU BREATH IT.

 

Looking for both the portable pressure blaster, and cabinet. Spoke with few sales rep's for the pressure blaster and 1 of them felt with my compressor output I would be spending few minutes blasting and the remainder of the time waiting for pressure to build up. With respect to cabinet, looking to purchase as large as I can afford with shipping cost but limited to size of nozzle, probably max of 3/32". Anyhow, waiting for few catalogs to arrive, unfortunately majority of the quality setups are manufactured mid west where shipping is expensive. Email 'Goodguys Rod and Custom' trying to find if there are any vendors signup for the Nov. 11-12 meet, have not heard from them yet. Appreciate the input.

dave

 

When I bought my blast cabinent from Eastwood I joined their "President Club" for $25 and you get free shipping for a year. The Club fee is lot less than the cost of shipping the blast cabinent and I got free shipping for the rest of the year on my other restoration supplies.

 

Not sure they offer the 'Buyers Club' anymore, use to belong but let it lapse quite sometime ago. If it's still offered, and if I decide to purchase a setup from them, intend to enroll at the time of purchase. Got excited there for few minutes when I saw Eastwood had a cabinet setup I was interested in w/ free shipping, then realize it was the June catalog. Kinda have the 'pressure blaster' selected but if I understand it correctly, with my compressor, I can expect couple minutes work and then few minutes recharging system, giving it more thought. Got a quote on shipping cost for pressure blaster and it's not too bad, lot more for the 'blast cabinet'. Appreciate the input.

dave

 

Thought if anyone has simular size compressor and a pressure blaster whether the equipment will continue to blast the surface material during usage while compressor continues to run, or is there a waiting period until pod/tank builds up pressure between usage.

dave

 

WITH MY pressure blaster the air in the tank builds up when you cut the blaster nozzle off . I blast for several minutes then stop. In about 60 seconds I can start again

 

Went ahead and ordered a pressure blaster, an occasional phause while compressor catches up I will have to get use to. In the meantime, holding off on the cabinet for now while checking out gas compressors. Appreciate the info.

dave