I need to buy a blasting cabinet for my home shop. I know those big ass ones allow you to blast axle housings and stuff like that, but I only really need to blast small stuff like valve covers, intakes, pulleys and such. Probably the biggest thing I'll need to blast is wheels. I'll continue to farm out the real big stuff like frames and body panels. Does any one have any suggestions as to which one to get. I have a monster air compressor to power whatever. I'd really like to stay under say 400 bucks for the cabinet, ready to go. Thanks
I'll do some checking, I found a place that makes cabinet blasters out of 55 gallon barrels. There fairly inexpensive and about the right size. Mike
check out harbor frieght. they usauly have a nice one that goes on sale for around 2 bills. Its metal and has a light in it and a prefilter, you definitly can get a set of valve covers and maybe a wheel inside.
so what's the media of choice...30 mesh sand,aluminum,plastic beads....walnut shells????I'm thinking mostly for rust removal.
[ QUOTE ] check out harbor frieght. they usauly have a nice one that goes on sale for around 2 bills. Its metal and has a light in it and a prefilter, you definitly can get a set of valve covers and maybe a wheel inside. [/ QUOTE ] Actually, the Harbor Freight one, is the main one I'm considering. Has anyone here ever used one? Lots of HF stuff is cheesy when you get down to actually using it.I'm a little concerned about getting service parts for it like nozzles and gloves.
A friend got the one from HF and it is a Chinese POS. Panels didnt line up and leaks air like a sieve. He had to redo it to get it sealed and then the gloves fell apart. They refuse to send him new ones. Ive seen others that come all assembled with sturdy lips and welding. They hold air at least, gloves look just as cheesy. They all seem to use plastic windows which become useless in a short time, there has to be a better solution.
It only costs a nickle more to go first class. I bought one from TIP. They advertise in most of the magazines. They are well built. Replacement parts are no problem. Probably the best tool I ever bought. Mine is about 42" I guess. Get the biggest one your shop and pocketbook can stand. I'm a tight wad but I'm glad I stepped up to the plate on this one. Look for the media in your area. I get it much cheaper than they sell it for.
286 I think that goes with harbor frieght regardless. Most of us on the board I am guessing have more time than money. I have a couple rules with HF one is never buy anything unless its on sale, because it will go on sale as soon as you buy it, no hand tools Wrenches etc. and also if you are going to use it extensively than try buy quality. I would imagine a bead of silicone along the panel edges would take care of the dusting out of the seems but also if your output (vac source) has a higher cfm than your input you should be alright also. as far as the plex window put a piece of clear frisket or static vinyl over it and when it gets too bad just replace that. you might also tell you friend that he could probally use some of those elbow length chemical gloves for a replacement. just remember a blast cabient is just a box you can probably build your own for cheap if you were really poor.
I have one from harbor freight. was made in india. I might just as well toss the thing outside and blast right in the shop. get a good one, don't waste your money on shit from a shithole country. better yet, build your own. Dave
I have the harbor freight jobby, 300 on sale 199. The gun was junk from the get go. The light is a joke. Scars up the cover in no time (replaced with explosion prof lights) that I cover with saran rap. The plexi window is a scrated up p.o.s. The stick on protecto clears are fine, If ya have a new one for every piece ya blast. These are not a stocked item at harbor freight. So ya get ta chase these down. I would NOT buy this unit again. Cal
haven't heard anyone EVER say they got a good peice of equipment from harbor freight. it would absolutley be in your best interest to save alittle extra scratch for a good cabinet.i believe the one we use in my buddy's polishing shop cam from a local shop supply warehouse,not quite sure of the brand,but never a problem getting parts because of the quality of the suppliers's stuff.you'll find that when you use it alot{trust me,you'll be surprized}you'll go through alot of nozzel ends and gloves.as far as the glass goes,we just use a peice of plexiglass,when it gets to hard to see out of you can buff the scratches out of it and put it back in{we keep a couple handy}and make sure you have a good vac system makes alot of difference...trust me bro,save for a good one!...im out quickrod
Get the TIP Catalog and see what they have. I needed a cabinet and decided to make my own after looking at what was available. You can make your own box and get their "kit" that has eveything you would need. I bought all of their items like the nozzle,control pedal,glass,etc so it would be the right stuff.I ended up making a cabinet big enough to blast a '40 deluxe hood. I checked with the local salvage guys and bought two sheets of 12 guage for the cabinet. I think with all of it I have about 350.00 invested in it. It works well and was well worth the time it took to make it. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T BREATH THE DUST !!!
I have a Harbor Freight cabinet and couldn't imagine why anyone would want anything more unless they were using it everyday in a sandblasting business. The model I have is 18x28 (#42202-0VGA) which is more than sufficient for valve covers, brake drums/rotors, etc and it only costs $99.99. As for parts, who needs parts? It's a metal box.
I have looked at the barrel blaster. I really don't think you could build one much cheaper. Gotta figure what your time is worth.
My buddy made one the size of a walk in closet in the corner of his garage. I don't know all the details of the build but it seems to work awesome. If he can build it and make it work, anyone can
i built a barrel blaster of my own.. I havent used it yet.. (i hate sandblasting) the thing that you need to do however is to use a pressure pot type blaster.. the suction blaster I have at work "SUCKS" my barrel blaster is a plastic 55 gal drum that I bought for 3 bucks.. when it goes bad i'll throw it out and buy another.. later sawzall
I built one out of the TIP kit. Made it big. Works great. I use glass beads in it. I think you can save a lot of money and time by buying a HF blaster. If you use the kit be sure to figure up all of the materials you will need. It adds up. I made mine out of wood, but if I did it again I would bend up some sheet metal. Mine doesn't need to be as big as it is. Most of the stuff I blast is pretty small. I have a pressure tank blaster for bigger stuff outside.
The Jalopy Journal
