Harbor freight media blaster

[BryanH]

I need to either pay someone to blast my Ideal55 body or buy a blaster... I'm predisposed to buying my own but have no idea what to get.  So remembering that this is "just a hobby", I was wondering if anyone had any first hand experience with the Harbor Freight blaster.  It's on sale for < $50.  

Oh yeah - given that my shop is the side yard, how messy are these things?  Will I end up coating my place (or my neighbors) with dust and pellets?

[sodaworks]

Hello BryanH,
  I couldn't get by without a sandblaster. They do make a mess but clean up isn't so bad. What size compressor are you using? The reason I ask is I would get the 40# unit from Harbor Frieght if your compressor will handle it. These are worth every penny. Be sure to buy extra tips. I have found that 30 grit sand works the best for me. '>

[BryanH]

Thanks Terry.  Is the 40lb recommendation to save time filling the hopper?  

I only have a 6HP / 150 PSI / 6.4 - 9.1 CFM compressor.  The specs for both the 20lb and 40lb units are the same (60-125 PSI, 6 - 25 CFM, 2 - 4 HP).  So I'm guessing that I could get by with my compressor but may run into problems trying to run continuously. For a $100 it sounds like it's worth a shot.

[sodaworks]

Go for the bigger one. Loading the tank is a pain in the  '>

[bubba]

I have the 40lb unit at work. We haven't used it in awhile, but it worked. The gun broke shortly after we started using it.. I think its white metal instead of cast aluminum and did not take a fall to the ground. Picked up a gun at McMasters (kinda like Graingers) and all is good. We have a 5hp 120gal compressor, and we had to stop once in awhile.

[Lulu]

I've got the 20 lb. one from Harbor Freight except my gun looks a little different.  The only problem I had was that the valve at the bottom of the tank would plug with moisture.  The unit itself has a moisture/dryer on it, however, it wouldn't get it all.  Other than that, it worked great for me.  I did two machines and about 10 piece of iron furniture. (Outside on the gravel so there wasn't any clean up)

[jasmine64]

Ive been looking at those too, 'till my hubby took the cataloge back to the farm.
Think he kinda got scared I'd buy one.

Ive never had luck with HF shipping. Things would be missing from poor packing or boxes arrive opened/damaged
things missing. Example I ordered 3 stamping sets all different in size it was mailed in a manilla envelope so you can imagine most of it was missing from the tear in the paper.

So go to the nearest store if possible. If they dont have it in stock let them order it and check it out before leaving.

[BryanH]

Bought the 40#'er and some kind of replacement gun/nozzle with tips (just in case).  Hope to test drive it this weekend.  Thanks for the input.

[Pat Pixley]

BryanH, I have the 20#er from Harbor Freight and it works
 good , But I'm going to jump up to a 40#er ,There right filling the darn thing is a pain in the  '>  
 you have to fill all of them anyway's so go bigger.  '>

 Pat

[sodaworks]

LuLu,
  Upgrade to a better water trap and your condensation problem should improve. '>

[BryanH]

Ok - it's assembled.  Operating instructions are somewhat on the light side... So, I've got a couple questions:

- how do you select which nozzle to use?  Do you match it to the sand's grit level or do you pick one to match the area covered?  I bought 70 grit media and I used the second smallest nozzle (0.125"). Is that ok?

- there are 4 bloody valves on this thing.  I know what the valves on the ends (nozzle & air supply) are for but am not so sure about the other two (throttling & sand control).  Do you open these full or use them to control the pressure (throttling valve) and amount of media (sand valve) used?

- What PSI should I use to feed the blaster?  Says it can handle a max of 125 PSI but I'm assuming you don't run it at this level.

- When you're done, do you need to empty the extra sand in the hopper or can you leave it in there?

- Any other tips or techniques?

[Lulu]

Brian,

This is what I did with mine--Set the "throttling valve" to 125psi.  Make sure you have air flowing before you open the sand valve.  I ran mine with the valve all the way open.  When you're done, shut the sand off before you shut the air off.  I used the larger nozzle to cover more area.  Maybe someone with more experience can jump in...

Terry,
Thanks for the tip.

[firemun]

The nozzle size correlates with amount of flow (in cfm) of your supply...larger nozzles = more cfm.  Since these things are pressure blasters, they really only work well right around the recommended pressure.  

jeff

[sodaworks]

I run all the valves with wide open except the sand flow valve located below your tank, I set this valve to a desired setting and I leave it there. I use 30 grit sand, this works best for me. The tip and sand control valves have to be adjusted to the right flow everytime you change tips. If your getting too much sand pinch down on the sand control valve. Not enough open valve. I always leave the sand in the tank simply for easy storage. As LuLu, mentioned sometimes the pot will plug up just above the sand valve. Just turn the unit on its side and remove the hose and valve. using a screw driver clean out the moisture and reassemble. Remember to readjust the sand valve afterwards. Pratice on the backside of a machine, The most impotant tip I can offer is you have to determine your speed and distance from the machine. If you go too slow and are too close you WILL heat up the metal and warp it. If your compressor will not keep up you will just waste sand. I also screen my sand and reuse it once. After that it is pretty well broken up and just makes alot of dust. Be sure to get a good dust mask. I also kep peanty of spare lens for the hood on hand. I buy the clear face shields and cut out my own lens.
You'll be surprised how much use you'll get out of your sand blaster. '>

[sodaworks]

Next you gotta get one of these bad boys. I upgraded in Dec. to this bead blaster. It big enough for pretty much everything but main doors and cabinets. '>

[BryanH]

Thanks folks... I can't wait to start making a mess...

Quote (sodaworks @ Feb. 09 2006,11:25)

I also screen my sand and reuse it once. After that it is pretty well broken up and just makes alot of dust.

Terry do you just sweep it up and then screen it or are you talking about collecting it from a cabinet?
PS -between your new paint booth and spanking new cabinet your not allowed to post in the "Your shop is better than mine!," thread. '>

[sodaworks]

You noticed that I purposely haven't posted my resto. shop in there yet. As far as screening goes, sweep the area prior to sand blasting. This is to remove rocks, sticks,etc.. About half way through sand blasting sweep the sand into a pile and using a sqaure point shovel put it back into the funnel with a piece of screen mesh over it. This will alow less waste and costs. I only reuse the once because after that it's pretty much busted up. '>