Need recommendation on blast cabinet

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've found a few inexpensive benchtop cabinets at Harbor Freight, Eastwood and Northern Tool. Does anyone have experience with any of these? Other recommendations?

Harbor Freight


Eastwood


Northern Tool

[Lukesportsman]

I'm not impressed with my siphon Harbor Freight unit. I'm using glass bead and other materials may vary. The overall finish seems adequate for the low cost. It gets by for what I need and I bought the side access door variety simply because my store didn't have a top opening.

Buy a top opening for reduced leaks if possible.

[bdonally]

The first two are identical and the same as one I have.
Make sure the power supply for the light is included - I had to buy a 12V power supply.
From my experience:
-you will want a selection of nozzles to match to your compressor.
-In addition to caulking the cabinet, you must connect it to a shop vac with a drywall filter to keep media from getting everywhere, including your lungs. There should be a hole and an adapter; I wound up cutting one of the useless shop vac attachments and using it as the adapter
-Get some aluminum window screen and tale it to the mesh that forms the floor in the cabinet - it will save a lot of time fishing through the sand for small things
-tape some plastic around the light - I scrapped one before I noticed that the light gets as blasted as the window. As it gets more and more frosted the light becomes too dim to be of use.
-the larger one will be better if you can accommodate the size. I managed to clean heat exchangers but in the smaller size it is a real PITA.
-If you are going to do aluminum get some glass bead (not grit) because the finish is better. I also got some walnut shells and they are real nice for cleaning anything sensitive - pistons, valve stems, etc.

[Wavey]

+1 on the top-opening, and +1 on caulking the seams before use. My side-opening Harbor Fright cabinet leaks from the side door and from the seams.

[Zeke]

This is not where "less is more" works. All these bench top models and a weak compressor makes for very poor performance. I have a HF top loader and am not impressed at all. I use it outside for the sunlight that shines in the cabinet (at the right time of day) and the fact that it's messy no matter how much you do to improve the leaks, etc. A vacuum does help keep the cabinet air cleaner so you can see, but it's hell on the vacuum unless you have that drywall filter (I don't). I don't understand what keeps those from clogging up anyway.

I did have an idea about using a vac as a type of venturi extractor to save on filters. Since I'm outdoors in the breeze, mostly, it would just go out on the lawn where I could hose it down or send it into the sprinkler spray. It doesn't really require all that much evacuation. Never tried the idea, though.

Wear a mask, indoors or out.

[Tim Hancock]

I have a ScatBlast cabinet that works OK, however for any big jobs, I end up taking the parts to work where we have a massive industrial cabinet that kicks some serious butt!

Over the last ten years or so, I have smoked two shop vacs and I am now on my third. Whatever you get, make sure to get some extra tips and make sure to get some extra glass window protector films. DO NOT blast without a window "tear off" or you WILL frost your safety glass window and you will end up having to get a replacement!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks for all the input.

I suspected that these bench top units were somewhat problematic and maybe weren't as effective as you like.

Milt, I've got a fairly stout compressor, so I'm not worried about that.

On average, I like to make one-time purchases on tools, more of buying an asset I'll keep for years than an "expense" where you weigh the time/cost/benefit of knowing you'll have to buy another down the road. Problem now is funds are limited putting the E back together. Just started arranging hardware for the front end today.

So I'm picking up a local Want Advertiser tomorrow to look for shop-quality used and also looking at these:

http://www.equipmentland.com/products/cyclone/pk36.shtml

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
I have a ScatBlast cabinet that works OK, however for any big jobs, I end up taking the parts to work where we have a massive industrial cabinet that kicks some serious butt!

Over the last ten years or so, I have smoked two shop vacs and I am now on my third. Whatever you get, make sure to get some extra tips and make sure to get some extra glass window protector films. DO NOT blast without a window "tear off" or you WILL frost your safety glass window and you will end up having to get a replacement!

Thanks Tim for the ScatBlast reference. What model is yours? Check this thing out:

http://www.tptools.com/p/427,53_770-Mini-Cab-Abrasive-Blasting-Cabinet.html

[shbop]

Shaun, Don't waste your money on the one from H.F. It's crap. Even with the vacuum hooked-up, it's very difficult to see, not to mention all the leaks. I've used mine twice. If you lived near by, I'd give it to you. Right now it's a yard ornament.

[bob deluke]

Shawn, you are the same person who was going to cover your steering wheel with ladies boot leather wern't you? Do what I did, make your own blast cabinet out of a couple sheets of 4x8 plywood and angle iron. I bought a set of plans from TIP for $5-10 bucks, can't remember it was so long ago. Made the cabinet over a long weekend. Have had it for 6+ years, no problems. I have an industrial duty 5hp -60 gallon air compressor in my barn, and I can blast away all day. Total invesment in sandblaster: about $100.00. If you need a copy of the plans, I will gladly fax or mail them to you. My e-mail adress is: radco58@netscape.net. Hope this helps, Bob. P.S. save your money and stay away from the H.F. crap..

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa
Thanks Tim for the ScatBlast reference. What model is yours? Check this thing out:

http://www.tptools.com/p/427,53_770-Mini-Cab-Abrasive-Blasting-Cabinet.html

I don't have the model number handy, but I will try to post a pic tomorrow at work (my home dial-up service is for shiit!).

It has a side door, a spring loaded trapdoor in the bottom for draining media out when switching materials and is about 3' wide by about 2' deep and stands on it's own legs.

[bt1211]

Skip the siphon blast. Use a pressure blaster, much faster, less air used(you can use a smaller compressor) and more POWER.

You need to get some metal pipes between your compressor and any blaster your going to use. Someone posted TP tools page, look up piping kits(it will explain why).

Here's my blaster for my cabinet and when I blast without a cabinet I would get a larger Pressure pot if I did it again.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by bt1211
Skip the siphon blast. Use a pressure blaster, much faster, less air used(you can use a smaller compressor) and more POWER.

You need to get some metal pipes between your compressor and any blaster your going to use. Someone posted TP tools page, look up piping kits(it will explain why).

Here's my blaster for my cabinet and when I blast without a cabinet I would get a larger Pressure pot if I did it again.

I have one of those too for blasting large stuff (airplane fuselages etc), but the @#$%#$ valves go south in a hurry and if the sand gets any moisture in it, they can be a pain in the @ss. I almost hauled mine to the dump a few times but when I need to blast something large outside, I am left with no other option.

[Scott Clarke]

I've got a cheap HF. It leaks like crazy and has other problems, but it does work. Blast outside and use a respirator! I learned these lessons the hard way.

[bt1211]

Yea, when I use it, I drain it often. I'm sure that has more to do with me NOT having a 2 stage compressor.

I replaced my blast hose and valves(tp tools). The HF items are not very good. FYI, you cant use water/gas valves(from HD) on the blast end. They will last about 2min.

I've got less than $100 in this and I've used it for about 6yrs

[Zeke]

The ones on the stands with the hopper type bottoms will be far superior to a bench top. Those prices didn't look too bad. Another thought would be to buy the pressure blaster and fab up a cabinet. When you need to use it on a portable basis, remove the nozzle from the cabinet (or have an extra) and go to your project.

Now, since I have been looking seriously at these pressurized models, I'm gonna think hard about this idea of combining for the efficiency and be able to capture my media.

[bt1211]

I've got alum ox(80 g) in my cabinet but I use "black beauties" when I dont use a cabinet($7. for 100lbs). BB's come in different sizes, I use 3024(let me check that) or the smallest size they have.

[Tim Hancock]

Shaun, my ScatBlast is very similar to this one which seems like a good price. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TP-Tools-770-Skat-Blast-Sand-Blasting-Blaster-Cabinet_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63700QQihZ015QQ itemZ250051001862QQtcZphoto

Edit: oops it looks like you already linked to one like this earlier in your post.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Brilliant Tim! TP Tools sells the U.S. made model 780 on eBay for $329.

If you factor in the extra $69 for the real Skat gun and pick-up tube that will make the 770 actually work, the 780 top loader starts to look more attractive. I'm going to call today. What I like about the 780 is that it seems to fit the lifetime ownership I'm looking for.

Bob, thank you for the offer on plans, my fax number is 617-395-7456. My problem right now is time though, as in I shouldn't even be fooling around with cars, let alone building cabinets, but the price is attractive as well as Milt's idea that I can take the can type with me outdoors.

BTW, I'm not the guy who was working with the boots, that's V8 Ranch I believe. I've got more crazy ideas than time/money/sense, but I can't take credit for that one!

[Dennis Kalma]

I can't get HF here in Canada, but Princess Auto is almost as good and is local. Anyway, I have struggled with the choice between bench top and the smallest stand-alone unit, they sound the same as HF btw, and have landed on buying the stand alone unit and just leaving it outside year round. I have a spot I can hide it where the neighbours won't be bothered and that way it doesn't take any garage space. I am hoping my 5 hp Speedaire compressor will be enough....

On a related note, I see that Eastwood is selling their vibratory tumblers as a means of cleaning the rust off of small parts. I have a ton of small fasteners and brackets that I would like to just clean up and replate...anyone use of these gizmo's and do they work? Any recommendation on what material works best on fasteners?

Thanks

Dennis