Quick question - sand blasting nozzles

[Al Strachan]

ive hit the go button on a 20gallon blast pot. Want to order some 3mm nozzles, as I believe that’s the way forward with diy small compressors. Dont really want to wait until it arrives in order to measure the nozzles, so can anyone advise which ones I’ll need.

Cheers, Al

 

[Al Strachan]

Sorry, meant to post the link

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SwitZer-...ndblaster-Sand-Blaster-Blasting-/120500458414

 

[rtbcomp]

This is the sort of thing you should be looking at

http://www.blastitclean.co.uk/page9.html

Chop the valve off the end of the hose on the blaster and fit a carbide nozzle in its place, held in place with a Jubilee clip.

 

[Al Strachan]

Thanks, really appreciated. Would you suggest 3mm or go for 3.5. Seems to be some text missing, but assume it means larger compressor.

I had a thing a while back for collecting old broken compressors and fixing them up. I have 4 compressor which off the top of my head must total around 7 or 8 hp and 150-200ltr when all connected together.

 

[brightspark]

as above and just use the air inlet ball valve to turn it on and off

 

[brightspark]

if you can get at least 25 odd cfm with a couple of pumps connected a 3.5mm jet will run fine @ 90 psi constant if not a 3.0mm

 

[Al Strachan]

if you can get at least 25 odd cfm with a couple of pumps connected a 3.5mm jet will run fine @ 90 psi constant if not a 3.0mm

Cheers, might take a punt on a 3.5mm nozzle

 

[fizzy]

Not tried it myself but someone told me to use old spark plug stems!

 

[brightspark]

Not tried it myself but someone told me to use old spark plug stems!

don't bother unless you just like messing about

 

[Al Strachan]

Well, both blast pot and 3.5mm nozzle arrived yesterday, and i set everything up and did a quick test on a heavily corroded part of my Navara rear tub underside. Holy Cow, i knew it would be an improvement over what i've tried in the past (both a cheapo gravity spot gun, and a suction spot gun), but didn't expect to be able clean up around a square foot in a couple of minutes.

Well impressed!! cant but thank for the assistance, not only on the nozzle on this thread, but all the info contained within the forum. It's a shortcut to success and i'm eternally grateful for it.

Regarding the blast pot itself, i was concerned about build quality of these cheap units. I went with the grey Switzer one due to reading mixed reviews on the quality of unbranded red ones (marginally cheaper).

I cant fault it on build quality, packaging, instructions and so on. Well impressed!! Cant wait to get the rear tub outside and get stripping!!

Al

 

[fizzy]

What blasting media are you using?
One tip - always use a sieve to screen out bigger particles - cuts down a lot on blockages.

 

[rtbcomp]

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Al Strachan]

What blasting media are you using?
One tip - always use a sieve to screen out bigger particles - cuts down a lot on blockages.

Yup, got myself a Tesco value sieve

i'm using homebase kiln dried sand. I also have a around 50kg of black larger diameter media (cant remember what its called!) that i aquired a while back, but think i'll just stick with the sand, it seems to work surprisingly well.

 

[fizzy]

Yup, got myself a Tesco value sieve

i'm using homebase kiln dried sand. I also have a around 50kg of black larger diameter media (cant remember what its called!) that i aquired a while back, but think i'll just stick with the sand, it seems to work surprisingly well.

Sand does work very well just use a good dust mask. I use a British army gas mask - brilliant - but you need to cover the lenses with clear plastic or they soon get ruined.

The black stuff is even better - far less dust created and a lot more aggressive - but if using outside should be fine.

 

[Al Strachan]

yup, plan is to haul outside on a dry day and do it in my 8x4 trailer where i can easily scoop up and re-use. luckily ive got enough room from my neighbours not to be too much of a pest, and the prevailing wind tends to lead dust away into a fields.

Im my youth i had little regard for PPE, but these days i'm far more careful, since i finally realise im not immortal! i've got a range of particulate, organic fume and an air fed mask. reckon the particulate masks should be fine. nasty stuff that silicates.

 

[rtbcomp]

Look into crushed glass (not beads) cheap as chips and more efficient than J-Blast or sand. Sand is illegal for businesses to use because of the risk of silicosis, not only to the operative but also to people in the area.

 

[brightspark]

What blasting media are you using?
One tip - always use a sieve to screen out bigger particles - cuts down a lot on blockages.

and also fine sieve as well otherwise you end up hurtling dust around and that leads to blocked regulator when its damp

 

[Al Strachan]

and also fine sieve as well otherwise you end up hurtling dust around and that leads to blocked regulator when its damp

any pointers to a suitable seive

 

[brightspark]

any pointers to a suitable seive

just one that can sieve out similar to flower fine dust I just bought or scrounged a sheet of it and made a wooden frame

 

[Turbo]

Well, both blast pot and 3.5mm nozzle arrived yesterday, and i set everything up and did a quick test on a heavily corroded part of my Navara rear tub underside. Holy Cow, i knew it would be an improvement over what i've tried in the past (both a cheapo gravity spot gun, and a suction spot gun), but didn't expect to be able clean up around a square foot in a couple of minutes.

Well impressed!! cant but thank for the assistance, not only on the nozzle on this thread, but all the info contained within the forum. It's a shortcut to success and i'm eternally grateful for it.

Regarding the blast pot itself, i was concerned about build quality of these cheap units. I went with the grey Switzer one due to reading mixed reviews on the quality of unbranded red ones (marginally cheaper).

I cant fault it on build quality, packaging, instructions and so on. Well impressed!! Cant wait to get the rear tub outside and get stripping!!

Al

I was looking at those switzer unit as well, good to know they are ok. They all probably come from the same factory in China as the red ones but switzer units have had a stricter quality control.

I'm tempted to build my own, I already have most of the materials but it's hard to get motivated to actually build it!

Look into crushed glass (not beads) cheap as chips and more efficient than J-Blast or sand. Sand is illegal for businesses to use because of the risk of silicosis, not only to the operative but also to people in the area.

Someone local has just started selling this at £6 per 25kg bag, £160 a ton. Before this all I could buy locally is J blast or sand.