Been modifying a small benchtop blast cabinet.

C-Bag said:
What kind is yours?
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I try to remember to look when I am out in the shop later. I checked my amazon history but did not see it there. I have had it for a few years and don't remember where I bought it. Hopefully it will say on the unit
 
My sandblast cabinet is/was just a Harbor Freight but I added a different gun, a foot pedal, and a metering valve. I need to get it moved to my new workshop so it isn't right here to take pictures but those modifications made a big difference. Mine isn't the benchtop version so the metering valve might not work on that one but being able to control the air with the foot pedal was much nicer than the trigger gun it came with. Dust collection was a cheap bucket shop vac which works but is loud. My main problem is not enough air to run it for very long but that can be a problem even in commercial shops with much bigger compressors.
 
Looking good. I just recently got my blast set up installed. Started with an older scat blast cabinet I picked up on Facebook and since have updated the wiring, lighting, added tempered glass, a dust collector and a media collector, all scat products. I’m blown away at how well it works
 
bemader said:
My sandblast cabinet is/was just a Harbor Freight but I added a different gun, a foot pedal, and a metering valve. I need to get it moved to my new workshop so it isn't right here to take pictures but those modifications made a big difference. Mine isn't the benchtop version so the metering valve might not work on that one but being able to control the air with the foot pedal was much nicer than the trigger gun it came with. Dust collection was a cheap bucket shop vac which works but is loud. My main problem is not enough air to run it for very long but that can be a problem even in commercial shops with much bigger compressors.
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yep, I only have a 30 gal compressor. So well aware. But I've got to be ok with it, as that's all I have right now. I have been looking to replace it for a while as I am afraid the tank is old. But nothing comes up that I can afford to buy and get into the shop. Would love a 60 or 80 gal vertical two stage, but that's probably being greedy. A single stage is more likely in my future.
 
Most run with to much air pressure. Start at 30 psi and work your way up to the sweet spot. Different media might require different pressure.
 
Chair vibration units are cheap, maybe 30 bucks. They are not necessarily the solution, though. They can pack media into a hard mass, especially if you have a lot of media in the cabinet.

After trying everything to get my suction unit to work, I eventually switched to a gravity feed system. And I got a better gun from parts washer upgrade.com. That guy did a nice video on different types of blast systems. Shilling, yes, but it's still good info

I recommend the pedal. There are super cheap pneumatic pedals on Amazon.
 
already have the pedal.
My problem is the gun. The one I want is really for higher cfm. Its the one he sells on partswasherupgrade.com. They don't have the smaller orifices and the blow tube, no one seems to carry smaller than I think 6mm.
I won't be putting a lot of abrasive in the unit. It does lead to packing. The weight prevents the tube from getting a good feed rate. I've done enough landscaping with sand to understand that. I have used it to my advantage. Set volleyball poles in it at the town park.. Sand locks in pretty good deeper down.
 
woodchucker said:
no one seems to carry smaller than I think 6mm.
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When I first got a blaster years ago without a cabinet I tried making my own nozzle. Obviously, it didn't last a long time since it was just made from steel but didn't take much material or time to make on a lathe and the oriface size could be whatever size drill bit was used. That size gets bigger with use and smaller sizes plugged up easier but might be something to consider if you want to test smaller sizes or you break or wear out the nozzle and don't have another one to finish a job.

Gnpenning said:
Most run with to much air pressure. Start at 30 psi and work your way up to the sweet spot. Different media might require different pressure
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I'll keep this in mind. I've mostly used as much pressure as I had unless I was worried about damaging the parts. Dropping the pressure would make a big difference in the amount of air used and probably make less dust and make the media last longer.
 
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