Sandblasters & cabinets

[malcolm]

Could you post that eBay link again Ratty - the forum shortens the text so you have to right click on the link and copy the shortcut, or click the link and copy what ends up in the address bar of your browser.

I've never really used a sand blaster - there are a couple of syphon types lying around but I don't have enough air for them. Dead interested to see the gun being discussed.

 

[Ratty]

Could you post that eBay link again Ratty -

Here you go

Lots of other similar ones, just search '10 gallon sandblaster'

 

[rusty69bus]

looks like my ace one? (mines a cyclinder type) had it working with fine sand years ago now, use to at air and clog up regularly with the proper grit, less with sand. when it worked had good results.
just sits in the shed as with grit i sent more time unclogging it than using it.
don't know if this tip helps one grit blaster place recomended using old sparkplugs as tips, cut the metal ring of the plug pull out the ceramic and cut off the electrode and pul out.

 

[rtbcomp]

looks like my ace one? (mines a cyclinder type) had it working with fine sand years ago now, use to at air and clog up regularly with the proper grit, less with sand. when it worked had good results.
just sits in the shed as with grit i sent more time unclogging it than using it.
don't know if this tip helps one grit blaster place recomended using old sparkplugs as tips, cut the metal ring of the plug pull out the ceramic and cut off the electrode and pul out.

I've got an ACE Classic and one of those "10" gallon (more like 8) ones, same as the Rolson supplied by Machine Mart

Advantages of the Rolson over the ACE

1) Holds four times as much
2) Comes with auto draining water trap as standard
3) Comes with pressure gauge
4) Media metering valve
5) Wheels
6) Valve in the by-pass hose
7) Thicker hose
8) Stop valve at the nozzle
9) Much cheaper
10) Easier to re-fill
11) Mixer lasts much longer


Advantage the ACE

1) Uses tungsten carbide nozzles

Because of the valve arrangement on the Rolson it is possible to reverse flush any blockages and to supply compressed air only at the nozzle for cleaning the grit out of the workpiece. Also the Rolson doesn't block as much anyway, but I use a cleaner compressed air supply with this than I did with the ACE.

Good quality compressed air is essential, it has to be dry and cold - damp air clogs the grit (especially if it is dusty due to re-use) and warm air doesn't have as much mass as cold and doesn't seem to carry the grit as well. I have a good regulator/filter, cost £30 but worth it.

I like that sparkplug idea - they won't last as long as carbide - [YORKSHIREMAN]but they cost nowt![/YORKSHIREMAN]

 

[Ratty]

I like that sparkplug idea

Me too!
C'mon guys - there must be more of you who have sand-blasters - and I know you're not short of opinions Other makes worth looking at? drawbacks? places to buy? any more useful tips?

 

[rtbcomp]

Me too!
C'mon guys - there must be more of you who have sand-blasters - and I know you're not short of opinions Other makes worth looking at? drawbacks? places to buy? any more useful tips?

If you want to spend real money http://www.hodgeclemco.co.uk/

http://www.guyson.co.uk/

Their equipment crops up at auction from time to time.

 

[irondarren]

you can make you own sand blaster unit, using an old calor type gas bottle as the tank. I made one years ago and it wasnt bad. I replace it with one from sealey which was ok, but used to eat air, a 3hp compressor used to run out of air quite quick, but it sure beat cleaning stuff by hand.

Used to buy kiln dried sand, the type they use for block paving, was about £3.00 a bag, just need to run it though a fine sive to make sure there were no stones in it. First use is great, shovel it up and re sive and reuse, by the third time it was used, it was loosing its abrasive ability, but at £3 a bag it didnt matter. It was suprising how much you could blast with one bag. I would recon 2 bags for the outside of a car blast to bare metal. of course the great thing about painting something that has been blasted is the paint keys to it so well.

 

[rtbcomp]

you can make you own sand blaster unit, using an old calor type gas bottle as the tank.........

Used to buy kiln dried sand, ......

I was going to use a Calor gas cylinder, a 15Kg one would be ideal, but as I use it for business and compressed air equipment has to be CE approved I didn't bother.

You shouldn't use sand with compressed air, health & safety. I saw a bag of kiln dried sand that said on it "not to be used for sandblasting on premises covered by the factories act." So maybe you can use it for personal use.

The amount of dust sand produces after a couple of uses makes it a right pain. I've just started using chilled iron shot, although abot £30 for 25 kg you can use it 300 times and it doesn't break down into dust, although it turned my socks rusty.

 

[Wozzaaah]

it turned my socks rusty.

Why were you shot-blasting your socks anyway?? Did it have a warning on the bag? Sock protection must be worn at all times!

 

[rtbcomp]

Why were you shot-blasting your socks anyway?? Did it have a warning on the bag? Sock protection must be worn at all times!

It's the only way to get them clean. they dissolve the washing machine drum.

It's because the grit gets in my shoes and the hot sweat on my feet makes it go rusty - at least I hope that's what's happening

 

[Wozzaaah]

Bugger, I was thinking of getting one! Doesn't say what the problem is though.

Ah, now I see. I see you rate the Rolson one quite highly so I googled it and the first hit was;

Rolson 10 Gallon Sandblaster Recall
Date: 11th July 2007
The following notice has been issued by the distributor:

Recall notice

10/7/07 - Rolson 10 Gallon Sandblaster (Stock No 32200)
Date: 10th July 2007

We have discovered a potential quality problem with the above sandblaster, which could cause personal injury if used.

As a direct result of these findings we have stopped selling this product and are asking customers not to sell any further stock. We are also asking that you contact your customers in turn to make them aware of this problem and request that they return the product immediately.

Should you have any residual stock and are able to locate those units sold, please advise us immediately and we will arrange collection

We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us direct on 0118 940 6500

 

[Wozzaaah]

I looked further down the list of hits and they're nearly all 'personal injury lawyers' touting for business using the recall notice, i.e have you used one and got a grain of sand in your eye? well maybe we can help. Leeches, the lot of em!!

 

[rtbcomp]

Ah, now I see. I see you rate the Rolson one quite highly so I googled it and the first hit was;

Rolson 10 Gallon Sandblaster Recall
Date: 11th July 2007
The following notice has been issued by the distributor:

Recall notice

.........

Blooding typical

 

[rtbcomp]

I've Emailed Rolson to see if they'll tell me what the problem is.

One dodgy aspect is the filler cap, if you unscrew it whilst the pot is pressurised it will fly off and could cause significant injury, but the instructions state clearly that the pressure must be zero before opening the pot.

 

[Ratty]

Ah, now I see.

Recall notice

10/7/07 - Rolson 10 Gallon Sandblaster (Stock No 32200)
Date: 10th July 2007

We have discovered a potential quality problem with the above sandblaster, which could cause personal injury if used.

Interesting - found this similar one at NT which is 'suspended'. Can still 'add to cart' tho so maybe I will, cheap enough at £0.00 Maybe that's why the only (unbadged?) ones available are on fleabaynight.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Had a look on fleabay and yes, there's still loads of unbranded ones for sale and I also came across this. Available on 'the bay' branded 'predator'. Anyone got any opinions?

 

[rtbcomp]

Had a look on fleabay and yes, there's still loads of unbranded ones for sale and I also came across this. Available on 'the bay' branded 'predator'. Anyone got any opinions?

That's a syphon gun, it uses a venturi to suck grit from the bag to the gun.

1) Needs a lot of air
2) Awkward in tight spots (a nozzle in the end of a hose like the Ace & Rolson is much better)
3) Unweildly with two hoses conencted to the gun

 

[Wozzaaah]

Didn't think it would be much cop for that price. I've spotted a 20 gallon blaster on ebay for £60 + delivery, looks exactly the same as the rolson one. Let us know what Rolson say if they email you back, I can't find any details anywhere about the fault.

 

[Ratty]

you can make you own sand blaster unit, using an old calor type gas bottle as the tank. I made one years ago and it wasnt bad.

Got any plans id? I've several old calor bottles taking up space, might be a nice project.

Edit -
Hmmmm...on second thoughts..just googled and found this...a bit more complicated than I thought! Think I'll keep my efforts for being creative

 

[rtbcomp]

Hmmmm...on second thoughts..just googled and found this

That's a cross between the Rolson and the Ace. The Rolson has an extra valve in the vertical downpipe, useful for unblocking the mixer.

The (basic) Ace doesn't have the metering valve at the bottom of the pot.

This project has a neat filling method, very similar to the "pop-up" valve on professional machines. The Ace requires a plate to be removed by undoing two M12 nuts, the Rolson has a screw-on cap.

Both the Ace & Rolson use lever ball valves, better than the gate valves, but I would still use a gate valve at the bottom of the pot as this adjustment is very sensitive.