Vapour blasting

[GSAndy]

Hi,
Been reading on the forum for some time but new to posting so hopefully someone can advise.
I've been looking at setting up a home vapour blasting cabinet (something like a MiniMAX seen online) and I'm just not certain if my compressor would be powerful enough.
Having read so many posts about small compressors being underpowered for dry blasting I was interested to see that the MIniMAX states only 7.5CFM is needed for their machine.
I've got a SiP TN3/50-SRB which has a spec of 13CFM / 8.5CFM FAD so sounds Ok but I'm also aware the spec is often misleading.
Does anyone have any experience of this sort of blasting set up and if the SiP is likely to be able to handle the blasting.
It's only for DIY use on motorcyle engine parts etc. and is in a shed with 240v normal domestic supply so getting a bigger compressor could be an issue.
Cheers,
Andy

 

[knighty]

have you seen the vapour blasting where you use a pressure washer? (might not actually be called vapor blasting?)

I fancy giving it a go some time

advantage it (I think) you don't need a massive powerful compressor or pressure washer - a bit bigger than hobby pressure washer is fine and you only need enough air pressure to push the grit into the water stream?

 

[GSAndy]

Thanks guys
. - was that using vapour blasting or normal dry blasting? just wondered as I hoped that the stuff on the MiniMAX machine suggested that my current compressor would be fine whereas I believe it's very underpowered for dry blasting.

Knighty - hadn't seen that before but had a quick Google and looks interesting. I guess it might be a bit tricky setting up some form of containment for doing it this way but I'll give that some more looking at as well.

Might try and have a chat with the MiniMAX supplier and see if they have any further information or maybe machines on show somewhere to see first hand if it's an option for the shed.
Cheers,
Andy

 

[Roger440]

Ive got a minimax. I also have a 3HP compressor.

It cant keep up.

I bought a cheap 7,5hp petrol compressor that needed some repair. That works fine at a reduced speed. The compressor bit is not in the best condition and carries over a bit of oil.

Best guess, 4hp of compressor would just about do it.

 

[knighty]

Knighty - hadn't seen that before but had a quick Google and looks interesting. I guess it might be a bit tricky setting up some form of containment for doing it this way but I'll give that some more looking at as well.

one think I really liked is there's no dust, so you can do big outside without any problems, jus sweep the wet grit up after

 

[GSAndy]

Thanks again,
Roger - is the machine good once you have enough air? I like the idea of home vapour blasting and this seems to be the only option I've seen anywhere at a reasonable cost but no idea how good the machine is in actual use.

Looks like it might mean a new compressor as well if it is good - must admit I don't find the specifications at all clear on compressors so will need to have a good think on that front.
I've seen petrol ones which seem to have high HP but not very high CFM figures.
Should be possible to get a higher 240v supply to the shed if needed as I think the cable to it was sized up to allow for additional kit when it was done.

Does anyone have an idea what sort of 240v compressor would be suitable for dry and vapour blasting as a start point for some Googling - won't be doing huge long run of blasting, it's mainly for motorcycle parts during restoration - not frames or anything of that size so just a benchtop size cabinet would be big enough I think.

Cheers,
Andy

 

[GSAndy]

Thanks,
Looking around it seems it would be cheaper / easier to get a petrol one like the hyundai HY70100P and avoid any electrical issues.
Is there any difference in how this would perform / any downsides to consider compared to an electric one.
If electric, I think twin 3hp types look most 'suitable' from initial Google as they seem to need the least 'special' supply.
Cheers,
Andy

 

[Roger440]

Thanks again,
Roger - is the machine good once you have enough air? I like the idea of home vapour blasting and this seems to be the only option I've seen anywhere at a reasonable cost but no idea how good the machine is in actual use.

Looks like it might mean a new compressor as well if it is good - must admit I don't find the specifications at all clear on compressors so will need to have a good think on that front.
I've seen petrol ones which seem to have high HP but not very high CFM figures.
Should be possible to get a higher 240v supply to the shed if needed as I think the cable to it was sized up to allow for additional kit when it was done.

Does anyone have an idea what sort of 240v compressor would be suitable for dry and vapour blasting as a start point for some Googling - won't be doing huge long run of blasting, it's mainly for motorcycle parts during restoration - not frames or anything of that size so just a benchtop size cabinet would be big enough I think.

Cheers,
Andy

I think its fair to say its good for what it is. I needed one quickly and it fitted the bill.

However.

Aside from the fact its a touch small for my purposes, it suffers from 2 issues. There no window washing function. This is essential. There no filtration system on the water.

If i was doing it again, i would go for one of those "conversion" kits on ebay that converts the common larger sandblasting cabinet that sealy, machine mart etc sell.

If you were diligent on the cleanliness of what went in, it wouldnt be so bad, but i tend to do a lot of steel parts, often rusty, which makes things mucky pretty quick. Its a massive ballache to change the water but not just throw away the media.

If i had more time, id just build one from scratch. Some decent videos on youtube on doing this. Lets face it, there no rocket science involved.

If i was setting up the air suply again in a domestic setting, 2 x 3hp compressor with big tanks would be plenty. But thats a 26 amp load.

 

[Roger440]

Thanks,
Looking around it seems it would be cheaper / easier to get a petrol one like the hyundai HY70100P and avoid any electrical issues.
Is there any difference in how this would perform / any downsides to consider compared to an electric one.
If electric, I think twin 3hp types look most 'suitable' from initial Google as they seem to need the least 'special' supply.
Cheers,
Andy

Yes. It will cost a fortune to run compared to an electric one. And it needs filling and looking after.

The big issue is they just dump air once max pressure is reached, so each time you stop, you either need to stop it, or its just burning fiuel for the sake of it. Convinient its not.

 

[kptim]

Sorry for the bump up. But what chemical do people use after vapour blasting to stop rust.im doing a roof of a shed. Thanks