My sandblasting setup (update)

[rcx132]

Slightly updated my sandblasting setup after learning a few more things:

Have given up on reusable media. It's expensive, takes time to filter, requires dried air, and I almost cry when I see how quickly it is lost. Now I use crushed glass at £2/bag. Doesn't matter if the air isn't dry because it's not being reused so not enough time to absorb enough moisture to be a problem and no need for filter to stop it going up the extractor exhaust.

I've also removed the filters on the extractor and the extractor now pumps straight outside into a private alleyway. This has doubled the effect of the extractor and thus my visibility in the cabinet.

Have got rid of the sacrificial glass protector. Will post feedback but after a single blasting session the glass protector would normally have started misting. The unprotected glass is still fine. My local glazier charges £4 per glass or £8 if hardened glass (safety!). Well the proper glass protectors cost £5 each so...

Also switched to proper fitting tungsten nozzle after the last one shot off the hose. Have also fitted a more flexible hose on the blaster pot. In fact the hose is the origina thick hose and switches to the flexy hose for the last metre where flexibility is needed. This has reduced fatigue if blasting long periods.

The nozzle is on eBay if you search for "universal tungsten carbide nozzle".

 

[brightspark]

pretty much what I have. the glass is just normal and lasts ages. fan blowing crap out direct . u may find using plastic blast hose it will wear quick near the nozzle .as long as your happy with it will be ok

 

[rcx132]

pretty much what I have. the glass is just normal and lasts ages. fan blowing crap out direct . u may find using plastic blast hose it will wear quick near the nozzle .as long as your happy with it will be ok

I've been using the flexible braided hose a while, it wore through three times by the pot, where there's a bend. Starts as a small hole, you can hear it, so I just trim the hose. Now I have the original thick hose half way before it couples to flexible hose, and have reduced the bend so hopefully will be better.

 

[Wallace]

I have a similar cabinet, the side door is a nuisance as the media collects around the seal and falls on the floor if I don't blow it clean before opening, I will look at modifying the door/seal one day. I modified the glass retaining screws to captive studs so the glass can be changed from the outside without having to reach in to the screw heads. Still using mine on the suction gun with an Earlex workshop vacuum cleaner and a Dyson type inline filter from Ebay to spin some of the dust out before reaching the Earlex and I have an upright Hoover bag on the Earlex outlet for anything that gets through. J-Blast Superfine is now old and Superduper Superfine but still just about working. I have glass bead in the smaller Clarke cabinet I had before this one using the same filter setup. Neither cabinet is fantastic in comparison to a Guyson professional setup but I get by with it for home use, I'm also marginal on air with a Clarke SE16C 150 compressor and really need a bit more puff!

 

[brightspark]

after u have been running for 15 mins u will start getting water through and it will be hit and miss with grit flow I run a secondary tank on the end of the flexible supply hose then in to the pot . it catches 90 percent of water and the filter on pot catches the rest

 

[wristpin]

Crushed glass at £2 a bag. How big a bag and where from please?

 

[james butler]

Crushed glass at £2 a bag. How big a bag and where from please?

like wise and what grit size?

 

[rcx132]

Crushed glass at £2 a bag. How big a bag and where from please?

like wise and what grit size?

Stacey's Processing media, 25kg. That's £2 + delivery, so comes to £3. I should add that prices vary by location, you need to call them to get the best price, and you have to buy by the pallet!

 

[rcx132]

I have a similar cabinet, the side door is a nuisance as the media collects around the seal and falls on the floor if I don't blow it clean before opening, I will look at modifying the door/seal one day. I modified the glass retaining screws to captive studs so the glass can be changed from the outside without having to reach in to the screw heads. Still using mine on the suction gun with an Earlex workshop vacuum cleaner and a Dyson type inline filter from Ebay to spin some of the dust out before reaching the Earlex and I have an upright Hoover bag on the Earlex outlet for anything that gets through. J-Blast Superfine is now old and Superduper Superfine but still just about working. I have glass bead in the smaller Clarke cabinet I had before this one using the same filter setup. Neither cabinet is fantastic in comparison to a Guyson professional setup but I get by with it for home use, I'm also marginal on air with a Clarke SE16C 150 compressor and really need a bit more puff!

With the captive nuts, did you weld those in, or clip-in type? I used to run JBlast and it does last long.

after u have been running for 15 mins u will start getting water through and it will be hit and miss with grit flow I run a secondary tank on the end of the flexible supply hose then in to the pot . it catches 90 percent of water and the filter on pot catches the rest

I've got a heat exchanger which I'm going to run through the rainwater butt, so hopefully that will get the water content right down without any fancy drier.

 

[brightspark]

With the captive nuts, did you weld those in, or clip-in type? I used to run JBlast and it does last long.



I've got a heat exchanger which I'm going to run through the rainwater butt, so hopefully that will get the water content right down without any fancy drier.

yes it will work perfect just have a drain off fitted to collect the water

 

[jordan1]

With the captive nuts, did you weld those in, or clip-in type? I used to run JBlast and it does last long.

Rivnuts probably


I've got a heat exchanger which I'm going to run through the rainwater butt, so hopefully that will get the water content right down without any fancy drier.