So I picked up a nice sandblasting cabinet to use on a restoration on a Yamaha RD400 that I’m about to emabark on, plus it was my birthday and I just wanted one. A couple of problems have reared their ugly heads and looking for advice from anyone with firsthand experience. First, my 20 gallon 120v Campbell Hasfield compressor which has served me well for over 30 years is too small, that problem is easily resolved with a 60 gallon upright unit.
Second, I’m having problems with getting the media to siphon up through the gun which I think is due to clumping from moisture in my compressed air which apparently is very common. Will just a cheap filter/regulator/ water separator fix this problem? This may be resolved with the bigger compressor. The smaller compressor gets over worked and hot, the hot air picks up moisture which condenses in the tank and air line and ultimately in the cabinet.
Third, I haven’t used it a whole lot but I’m finding it to be a bit messy, I don’t like getting that abrasive media all over the garage for obvious reasons. I think that I can control that by placing the shop vac for the dust collection on the blaster outside, I may even put the blasting cabinet on wheels and roll it outside when I’m using it.
Last. What media are you using? I had originally planned on using glass beads which leaves a nice satin finish on aluminum bike carbs etc.and is not too aggressive. Unfortunately it doesn’t do too well at removing rust and paint so I’ve decided to go with crushed glass which is dirt cheap but works well on rust and paint, unfortunately it is very dusty which clogs up the shop vac and reduces visibility in the cabinet. I’m trying to stay away from aluminum oxide as I think it may be too aggressive and walnut shells may not be aggressive enough but I haven’t used either.
Anyone encounter similar problems with blasting cabinets?
Second, I’m having problems with getting the media to siphon up through the gun which I think is due to clumping from moisture in my compressed air which apparently is very common. Will just a cheap filter/regulator/ water separator fix this problem? This may be resolved with the bigger compressor. The smaller compressor gets over worked and hot, the hot air picks up moisture which condenses in the tank and air line and ultimately in the cabinet.
Third, I haven’t used it a whole lot but I’m finding it to be a bit messy, I don’t like getting that abrasive media all over the garage for obvious reasons. I think that I can control that by placing the shop vac for the dust collection on the blaster outside, I may even put the blasting cabinet on wheels and roll it outside when I’m using it.
Last. What media are you using? I had originally planned on using glass beads which leaves a nice satin finish on aluminum bike carbs etc.and is not too aggressive. Unfortunately it doesn’t do too well at removing rust and paint so I’ve decided to go with crushed glass which is dirt cheap but works well on rust and paint, unfortunately it is very dusty which clogs up the shop vac and reduces visibility in the cabinet. I’m trying to stay away from aluminum oxide as I think it may be too aggressive and walnut shells may not be aggressive enough but I haven’t used either.
Anyone encounter similar problems with blasting cabinets?
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