sand blaster recommendation?

[Kaleid20]

As a newbie to the restoration of any kind of soda machine, what sand blaster do you recommend?

[jholmgren]

I have never used a SB system large enough to do...say a whole cabinet - however for blasting smaller parts I know a couple of people who have Skat Blast cabinets and have been very happy with them.   I have used Skat Blast cabinets as well as the cabinets from Horrible Freight (ok...Harbor Freight) and can say that there is a large difference in quality between them - as is probably expected.

Jim

[SIGNGUY]

I have used a few different Skat Blast cabinets.. I purchased them both from TP Tools... Great cabinet, decent price.

as far as large, I have that done for me at the body shop.. not sure what he uses..

[msanborn]

eastwood makes a variety of nice sb products, just be advised that to use one properly, you need a lot of air pressure.   

[jholmgren]

eastwood makes a variety of nice sb products, just be advised that to use one properly, you need a lot of air pressure.   

Absolutely!   Check the continous rating on your air compressor and make sure it can handle the load required by the cabinet/nozzle combination.  All of the cabinets I have seen will have the requirements plainly listed, don't under-gun it!

Jim

[Slapshot42]

I send my items off to a local sandblaster, no mess to deal with. I don't feel like I'm missing much when I have them do it.

You may call around I pay $1.40 a minute.  They use a 70 grit glass bead ( media blast).  Most large shops use a 2 stage air compressors.  The wait time is usually 6 weeks for me, but they usually through my stuff in  with larger items so it's cheaper.  They also powder coat the cabinets, and other parts why it's there.  I would rather just make one trip than like 5.

Jared

[Kaleid20]

Jared, what's that usually run you on average per machine?

[Slapshot42]

I paid around $240 for a large cooler( Westinghouse WD- 10), but everything. Shelves, air duct cover, lids, and other parts were done.

They sandblasted, powder coated and primer gray everything.