Harbor Freight $200 model

shbop · 04-02-2008, 04:58 AM

Anyone bought the $199 blast cabinet from Harbor Freight? Model 93608. I'm wondering if it's any better than the desk-top model I bought last year. That was a real pos and ended-up in the trash after minimal use. I know the best are quite expensive, but I like having more than one type of media to use, and just can't afford several of the high-end models.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

I have the desktop, side door one, yea it did need: sealing, filter bag, light added but seems to work ok, I guess anything you buy from them, just consider it a "kit" that needs finishing!

shbop · 04-02-2008, 06:23 AM

The biggest problem I had with the desk top was visibility. That plastic window is useless after the first dust-up. It was like trying to look through frosted glass. Anyone know if the larger floor model still uses cheap plastic for the window?

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Mine has glass for the window, but also came with stick on plastic sheets that you replace as they fog up.

shbop · 04-02-2008, 06:49 AM

Craig, Is yours' the top loader, or the one with doors on opposing sides?

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Here is the one I have #42202

shbop · 04-02-2008, 07:04 AM

Wow! much nicer looking than the one I got from them. A bit taller, and definitely has a better window design. I'll have to check and see if they still have that one. Thankyou

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Here's a company that's been around for a long time with a variety of cabinets and media.

http://www.trinco.com/leftframe1.htm

72 four door · 04-02-2008, 07:07 AM

These cabinets in general are crap. To make them work you need a good vac to remove the dust. You can drill a hole and make an adapter and use a dry vac. I guess for small stuff there ok,but it is so frustrating when you cant see.

911quest · 04-02-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 four door

These cabinets in general are crap. To make them work you need a good vac to remove the dust. You can drill a hole and make an adapter and use a dry vac. I guess for small stuff there ok,but it is so frustrating when you cant see.

A shop vac hooked up to it is the key. But make sure you have a large enough electric service to run a compressor and vacuum, this is the problem I ran in to it kept kicking the breaker in the garage.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

I hooked up a vacuum cleaner bag to the outside of mine, when you use the blaster the pressure goes into the bag along with all the dust, works fairly good.

euro911sc · euro911sc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by shbop

Anyone bought the $199 blast cabinet from Harbor Freight? Model 93608. I'm wondering if it's any better than the desk-top model I bought last year. That was a real pos and ended-up in the trash after minimal use. I know the best are quite expensive, but I like having more than one type of media to use, and just can't afford several of the high-end models.

I have that one. My biggest problem with the cab is it leaks fine dust/media out all the bolt holes and the door when under pressure. It has a nice hole on the left side that I attach my shop vac to. I do not turn on the vac, but let the pressure diff send the dust that way. It works only fair. I need to set up some kind of slow fan/filter setup to keep the cab dust free.

If you get this cab use some bathroom sily-cone all over the joints when you put it together. That should help a lot. When I am done with my engine I'm going to drain the cab and reseal the whole thing.

The window is glass with plastic sheet coverings. Vision is fair at best.

You need a pretty good size compressior. I blew mine out... '...darn honey... I gotta go get a bigger one...'

So I picked up a HF compressor on sale and w/ 15% coupon! See it here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92504

14.5 CFM @ 90 PSI and its smaller in foot print than my last one. It works very well and I used my old tank as an additional tank.

The biggest problem I have with blasting is that I live in FL and the humidity is high. After a while the air is wet and the media begins to clump in the gun. I have 2 dryiers on the lines. I'm hoping that the 2nd air tank will resolve this issue by adding a secondary cooling and drying volume. We'll see.

My experience has been good and for products like this I think HF is great for us hobby guys. We can spend a little of our own time and adjust the product to be a quality tool.

Best regards,

Michael

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-02-2008, 09:46 AM

Need recommendation on blast cabinet

Thanks Milt! (bead blasting thread)

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 04-02-2008, 10:30 AM

Your choice: Buy a good one up front. Or buy several Harbor Freight ones and _then_ buy a good one.

sballard · 04-04-2008, 04:47 AM

Someone gave me the desktop model when he bought the $199 version. After struggling with the small cabinet for about 6 months, I tried his new model and then went stright down to Harbor Freight and bought one myself. Much superior. Much more room. Although the gloves are way to big for my hands, which makes blasting nuts and bolts difficult.

Lukesportsman · 04-04-2008, 08:29 AM

Sadly I might agree with Stephan. I've bought one HF and will buy a better one next time.....yes I made it work, but quite frustrating compared to good ones I've used in the past. If your going to use it alot, then $1k might be well spent. TPC has them on sale for a couple hundred off as we chat.