Gravity Feed Media Blasting vs. Siphon Feed?

I'm trying to dig up some more info about the difference between the two. I've got a good concept of siphon feeding, but gravity (which seems to be the preferred blaster type) information is harder to come by. Any body vets know the scoop?

Max

 

Gravity is good for small parts, even delicate parts. Use the pressure blaster for the big stuff. Fast, and easy. The gravity will do bigger parts, but takes a LOT longer. I.E, one steel wheel, about 5 min. with pressure, or less, but about 20 or more for a gravity one.

 

Are you sure you don't mean pressure blasting? There is siphon and pressure, gravity would be just sand running down from somewhere higher than the gun. [Think model A fuel system]

 

I think they make a "gravity" sandblast system just like a gravity feed airbrush, media in a cup attached to the gun. The only one I've ever been associated with in the granite industry is siphonfeed... seems to work well, they've been using it for decades.

 

I prefer pressure to siphon. It seems to be more efficient.

 

Pressure fed blasters are faster and use less air to do the same work.

Frank

 

Alright so while gravity blasters exist, is pressure feed the one used in home garages, while professional blasters use siphon? Just trying to make sure I have this right.

 

Are you talking about blast cabinets or just blasters in general? Most blast cabinets are siphon feed but they do make pressurized blast cabinets. Most people that I know, that do a lot of blasting, use a pressure blaster. It's much faster and much more efficient than siphon blasting.

Here are some pictures that might help you out.

Pic. 1. is a siphon blaster, basically a bucket of sand with a hose in it. The sand gets siphoned thru the hose.

Pic. 2. is a pressure blaster it has a heavy thick tank able to withstand high pressures. Notice the gauge on the top so you know how much air pressure is on the tank. You pour the sand in the tank and then pressurize it with air. The air pressure in the tank forces the sand out the nozzle.

Pic 3. is a gravity blaster. I've never seen a big one but maybe they make them. All the ones I've seen are small hand held units like this one. You fill the small tank on top and gravity pulls the sand down to the gun where it is mixed with air. Same principal as a gravity feed paint gun. Good for small spots but not what you want for large items.

Good luck. Sandblasting is a messy, dirty job that sucks no matter how you do it

 

Awesome thanks for the help. Answers spawn questions of course!
What's the deal with a blast cabinet? Is it a seperate concept or incorporated with the blaster (like do you use a blaster in a cabinet or are there blasters... and there are cabinets?)

 

blast cabinet is just a means of keeping the mess down so it doesn't end up all over the place. You DON'T want to be breathing this stuff. Besides the fact that it recycles the media. The are usually siphon type.