I just bought a used nice large cabinet Bead blaster. The problem is that the gl*** viewing port window is sitting in a box inside the cabinet --broken. What I need to know is this any special kind of gl*** or would regular window gl*** or double strength window gl*** be suitable? I am itching to get blasting ! Thanks , Dave
I would use a piece of plate gl***,,it's thicker and less likely to break the gl*** ,,not from sandblasting but just moving stuff around the shop. HRP
i do not know what the factory used on yours, but have seen a bunch of homemade blast cabinets built with tempered, plate, laminate, and plexigl***. so i don't know if it matters. if i was to build one i would use laminate.
Mine is one of the old Eastwood home built kits and I used plate gl***,,,they also make clear tear offs to protect the gl*** from hazing for the flying sand. HRP
I guess what I better do is see What thickness gl*** the rubber mounting channel will accomodate , and if not enough for laminate or plate then use some plexigl***. The glance I took at the shards in the box pretty much looked like plain ol' gl*** to me.
I buy my gl*** from MediaBlast, due to it's oval shape, and its 2 pieces of tempered, laminated together.
Same here. If yours was anything special, it probably would not have been broke in shipping. The gl*** that covers the light bulb was broke on mine when I got it. I went to a gl*** shop and had then cut a new piece. Neal
There really isn't any strain on it and the sand bouncing off of it doesn't exert any pressure on it per se. I replace mine occasionally by going to the hardware store and having them cut a piece of gl*** to fit. I forget the thickness I get but they carry very thin and thicker sheets and I get the thicker one. I have those stick on plastic sheets that you put on the inside to protect the gl*** from the sand hitting it but those are more of a pain than just occasionally replacing the gl***. I think a piece costs about $ 7. I run a bead of silicone around the edge before I put down the framework to keep sand from escaping out the gap. I just don't see any reason to buy any special gl*** for something that will become cloudy in a short period of time, and that gets no pressure on it. Don
I have a Skat Blast cabinet from TP and they use plexigl*** for the main lens and a stick on plastic film/shield on the inside. You can check with them for replacement parts. Here's their link: http://www.tptools.com/
If you can place a piece of screen(we used br***)inside the cabinet that'll protect the gl*** from frosting up.A piece of plexi on the outside of the view plane gl*** will protect your eyes should the window crack or break. Ground the cabinet! Static can ruin your day! Please use a respirator or at least a paper mask with a wet paper towel inside for light work.Lung disorders ****.
All Good advice !! Yes, It is hard enough to get a good breath up here at almost 10,000 feet , without messsing up my lungs with silicosis, I have quit smoking as of July and that helped
Don,I tend to lean forward and press my big old nose to the gl*** while blasting,,ordinary window gl*** could break and cut my snout! HRP
I have a fairly large commerical blast cabinet which I use all the time. You should have room to use a piece of tempored gl*** on your side of the cabinet resting on a piece of plexigl*** on the inside. The plexigl*** will keep the tempored gl*** from clouding after a while from the sand/bead blowing arround in the cabinet. You can go to one of the big box stores and buy a sheet of plexigl***, score it with a box cutter and snap off several sheets of the size you need to use as the protective shield on the interior. Then you can replace the plexigl*** as needed, saving your tempored piece.
I use either plexigl*** or lexan in mine. Get it at either Lowe's or Home Depot. Cover the inside with a couple of layers of either clear food wrap or shrink wrap. Ain't gonna pay the price for the store bought tear off clear plastic sheets. Replace the food wrap as needed. Guess you've figured by now that I am a CHEAP ******* but it works for me.
I think these guys all have good ideals . If you have never had one you will wounder how you got along without one and after you replace the windows and gloves and compressor and sand and tips and vac***s and window and gloves about 15 times well you get the point. You will wonder what the hell i was thinking . Make sure when all your buddys come over to use it you make the put some money in the jar for maintenace. To the question i have tryed both gl*** and plexy gl*** seems like gl*** works better for me nothing special just hardwear gl*** and have them cut extras you will need them.
I cut the gl*** out of old flat gl*** windshields. Used to use the cover sheets from Eastwood; but decided they were too pricey. Got a roll of acetate from the local art supply store and attach it with cheap masking tape, does the same job at a fraction of the cost. My kid uses gl*** beads exclusively in his cabinet and does not use a cover sheet, the gl*** lasts a long time. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I just replaced mine with polycarbonate from TAP plastics. It is working out great! The ***anium tip from grainger was the best investment ever.
Bingo give the man a Cigar. I had a Davis sand blast cabinet in the high school auto shop that I taught in that had a hinged window on it that sealed against weather stripping. We used Saran wrap to cover the gl*** and keep it from getting etched. Depending on what you are working on and how close the work is to the gl*** the Saran wrap could last quite a while or had to be changed fairly often but even with all the use the cabinet got a roll of Saran Wrap lasted many months.
i do use the plastic replacement lenses over the gl*** in my cabinet, i have owned the cabinet for 25 years using it in my restoration business and have never changed the gl***. i have found that if i cover 3/4 of the plastic protector with an old plastic protector i get 3 times the "wear" out of it. when the 1/4 of it that is exposed gets cloudy i remove the top one and move it over a little, when that gets cloudy i take the top one completely off. it works because you never look through the whole window at the same time.
I would use what is termed double thickness window gl*** from your local gl*** shop. You will be fine. Plexigl*** or lexan is going to get scratched and haze up on the outside. There is no need to spend the money on laminated gl***. If you find yourself knocking parts into the gl***, you need a larger cabinet.
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