Hi guys, Felix here from the 92-96 and 48-60 threads . . . I need some of your help.

I have a decision to make. I am at a stopping point with my 50 F-1 project. I need to sandblast the body and frame to continue. My dilemma is do I buy the tools I need or do I rent?

Considerations:
I don't have a "shop" only a 2 car garage in a house we will probably only be in for another year (renting) and that has an association(which has given me no problem so far with my project.)

I am married(this should explain it all--if it werent for this, none of this would be a question, I would be posting on how I just bought the tools I need AND some stuff i didnt really need but looked cool lol)

I have a 5hp 21 gallon HF compressor now that I am pretty confident will not handle a media blaster too well.

I have a full(ish) line of air tools I use on this truck and would continue to use on this and other projects to come after it)

Dilemma:
I have found a 5hp 60 gallon 2 stage compressor from HF for 729 and a 35 gallon vacuum sandblaster(I want the vacuum kind so i can keep the dust to a minimum, according to HF, I don't even need a respirator???) for about 240 giving me a total of around 1000 bucks.

or, I could get a 3.2hp 60 gallon 2 stage compressor from sears for around 500 bucks along with the HF media blaster giving me a total of around 750-800 bucks

OR #3, I could just rent the stuff on a Saturday for around 300 bucks and not have to return it till monday morning (doable)

scenario 3 would be cheaper now and would (hopefully) allow me to get the job done

scenarios 1-2 would allow me to get the job done with taking my sweet time if i wanted to AND ould let me keep the equipment obviously.

worse case here is i never touch them again and i get used to the cold shoulder and hearing about the "huge" purchase everytime she decides to pull that out of her magic bag of argument tricks.


best case, i do small blasting jobs for people in the area and slowly make some money back on my investment AND i have the tools available for the next project . . .


there you go, sorry it was sooooo long but i wanted to be thorough.

i appreciate any advice, tips and pointers you all can give me
either on the tools or on best ways to lay on a couch overnight without pulling your back out lol


Links to tools:

HF Compressor: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55391

Sandblaster with Vacuum:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95502

No Vacuum:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94166

Sears Compressor:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...air+compressor

ANY other product suggestions are welcomed

Thanks a MILLION Guys!

 

Hmmm....renting?.....moving in a year?.....I'd do it in the living room!!!!



Actually, I have a 60 gallon that I will be using. I won't be getting a vacuum blaster, just a pressure blaster. I'll be doing it alongside the shop, on visquine, to recapture the sand. I have a cabinet, 60" X 28" X 28", so all the smaller stuff, up to fenders, will fit in there. Basically, I'll be doing the frame, cab and bed outside.

I wouldn't count on doing too much work for others, unless you are in a club, or a fairly large city, where there would be the work. I have offered, but the only response was friends wanting to come over and use the cabinet. It'll keep me in media and tips, that way, though. But it would never pay for the cabinet.

If this is the only use you have lined up, I would rent. If you think you'll be doing more cars, etc, then figure out the cost/number of projects, and go from there. But, don't count the cost of the compressor - you'll be using that anyway, and if you burned up the 21 gallon, you'd be in the market anyway.

Just my $.02 worth - your actual mileage may vary...

R

 

Give her the options of #4, or the much less expensive #1, minus the couch of course.
If your neighbors are really close (suburbs), I would either farm it out or find an alternative means of stripping the frame. Remember, you might have to live there for another year yet-

 

You don't want to use the gravity fed blaster in your link - if using HF tools, get this one, or one like it. It's pressure instead of gravity, MUCH more efficient!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34202

R

 

Have small shop compressor putting out approx. 6 cfm at 90psi and a pressure blaster purchased on ebay. 1st and foremost, it is one hell of a messy task, not to mention hazard to ones health. That being said, media blasted passenger vehicles interior and firewall and the compressor could barely keep up. Used a fine media that got into every crack and crevis imaginable on the human body. If decide to go this route, suggest purchase full body painters coverall, or something simular, hood and replacement face plates, and a respirator. Found with low cfm I need the fine media for the blaster to work, heavier media would jam in the nozzle. Anyhow, had an urge to add my $.02

dave

 

I can see it now, half way into completing your blasting neighbors pissed with the dust and noise calls the cops. Metal rusts before your eyes while the landlord evicts you besides cleaning his property and any damage your deposits gone.
Adding to this the War Department won't be happy your pleasures will be off limits. I would wait until you have your own place or pay to get the body plastic media blasted frame bead or sand blasted. Maybe wait and save up then purchase what you need and do it yourself.

 

thanks for your help and advice guys. I found a uy who will do everything for 1100 bucks.
Now I am trying to decide a. how to get the cab off andb. how to get the frame over to the guy.
i guess i will just have to get a tow truck with a flat bed to take it unless the blaster dude will take it with wheels and tires on.

we'll see
thanks again guys

 

I suggest buying the bigger air compressor as you'll need it for DA sanding, painting, Air-hammering/chiseling, etc...As for sand-blasting...frame only, I'd first have a shop do it, and have them epoxy primer it, then you can bring it home, and work on it at your leisure. As for the body, with the bigger compressor, you can sand that cab down, which will save you money in the long run, it'll just take more time. My 2 cents.

 

That's what good friends are for to help with transporting frame and body, that should fit onto a flat bed pickup just hang a red flag.
Didn't want to come off as a mean person just looking at it from a landlords point of view. During this time a large used compressor will come available when your not looking seems the odds these days.