Blast cabinet

[Welderpaul]

I'm after a floor standing blast cabinet. I can get blasting done at work but it is extremely abrasive (Steel paint prep) so no good for more delicate things such as old tractor repairs. They are also a dab hand at loosing things.
Doubleboost was recommending the Switzer brand recently. Perhaps something like this?

Keen to avoid machine mart offerings. It's not going to be in regular use (think excercise bike to hang clothes on ), but valuable when it does need to be used, so don't want/need to spend loads.

Any recommendations oh wise ones?

Best medium for aluminium? Plastic beads?

 

[KimB]

I'm after a floor standing blast cabinet. I can get blasting done at work but it is extremely abrasive (Steel paint prep) so no good for more delicate things such as old tractor repairs. They are also a dab hand at loosing things.
Doubleboost was recommending the Switzer brand recently. Perhaps something like this?

Keen to avoid machine mart offerings. It's not going to be in regular use (think excercise bike to hang clothes on ), but valuable when it does need to be used, so don't want/need to spend loads.

Any recommendations oh wise ones?

Best medium for aluminium? Plastic beads?

You will fit precisely half the table in that cabinet in one go

 

[Welderpaul]

You will fit precisely half the table in that cabinet in one go

haha the cabinet door opens doesn't it

 

[brightspark]

if you buy the cabinet it only has a suction gun in it the same as the machine mart one and pretty pathetic . it would be best with good extraction as well i use the pressure pot in mine which gives good results. i do use the suction gun sometimes in it for light rust on delicate parts

 

[Welderpaul]

Yeah, extraction is no problem. Good thing about beads is they don't create as much dust?

I'll only use it for small bits and pieces/delicate parts.

 

[brightspark]

looking at the cabinet your best fitting a rubber mat on the grid leaving an inch all round the edge it stops all the media blowing back up out of the hopper and making visibility bad. beads are great for peening fairly clean metal and leave a good finish if its not getting painted otherwise its something a little bit abrasive for painting and rust removal

 

[Erie Fred]

I'v e made my own.
16 gage (.060") Hot rolled 35 years ago, stick welded all the corners (didn't have access to a brake)
Funnel bottom was a bit too shallow for proper "flow" but at 4' wide, I didn't want to stand on a ladder to use it.
I did add a small rolling ball air powered vibrator that comes on when you step on the air pedal for the suction gun to keep the abrasive moving.

 

[brightspark]

the cabs are simple enough to make out of thin sheet steel and inch by inch x1/8th angle depends if you have the time to make mine will take car wheels no bother

 

[Welderpaul]

No, no time to make one, just something decent for fair money that isn't junk.

 

[brightspark]

No, no time to make one, just something decent for fair money that isn't junk.

the cabinets ok for the price its just the gun isnt up to it . best buy a pressure pot for it but there best with a better media reg valve and fitted with a carbide jet . its all down to price they will work but disappointing without the mods and clog up more down time than blasting ive got the teeshirt on it

 

[Endeleus]

I found the Machine Mart offering a decent enough starting point, although I did a few mods.

As others have said, the gun is the real weak point on the cheap imports, but easily upgraded. I also added some sturdier legs to allow for castors, lowered the height slightly (as the default is clearly designed for someone taller than me), and resprayed in my usual shade of Tractol.

Can't remember the total cost of mods, but wasn't much, and took less than a day of effort including the respray.

 

[doubleboost]

The one I bought has been spot on .
I am using it way more than I thought I would

 

[MetalMonkey]

Pretty much all going to be much of a muchness unless you going for a guyson etc.

If you want something decent that isn't hobbyist, look for the type listed as SBC420 or SBC990 - with the mixing valve and foot pedal.
I built one based around those components but upgraded to the proper BNP gun.

 

[bricol]

That Switzer one looks identical to the cheapo Chinese thing I bought - except even reduced, it's £50 dearer.

Get a cheapo Chinese one - build it with sealant on the joins and for irregular use, it'll be fine. I have a few issues with the suction gun, but it's often simply a blockage with a lump of crap I knocked off the item being blasted. Block the gun outlet, pull the trigger, blow air down the suction tube for a moment to clear it, and carry on.

Even my other half had a go with it

Biggest issue I have is lighting - I have a couple of 10W LED exterior lamps in there too. I had to extend the legs 4" to stop having to stoop - for short use it was fine, but continual use all day, it got annoying.

 

[daedalusminos]

That Switzer one looks identical to the cheapo Chinese thing I bought - except even reduced, it's £50 dearer.

Link please...and when did you buy, things have gone up quite a bit in recent months.

I've been searching for similar as @Welderpaul a floor standing unit - they're all going to be chinese imports at this price I would think. The SGS unit @£240 is identical to the Switzer, I think they come mostly assembled.

 

[frank horton]

boughtmy cheapy off the web....
best £25 I ever spent.....
I use a strip of cling film to protect the glass.....easy to change and cheap.....
like the idea of a rubber mat....thanks brightspark.....