Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

[John O.]

I apologise that this is not strictly Corvette related. Everyone on this board has always had the best advice for me and I thought some of you maybe able to help. I would like to buy a bead blast cabinet to aid in the restoration of my '65 396 roadster. Have any of you bought/own these and what are your opinions? Is there a preferred brand/model? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
John Osterholm

[mikemccagh]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

i bought a snap-on galss beading cabnet 20 years ago and have been very happy with it. if i had it to do over again, i'd but a generic cabnet and a snap-on gun as it would be near half the price. might even consider fabricating the cabnet my self and then buying the snap-on gun. btw, you'll need a good compressor with volume output to keep up with the blaster. good luck, mike

[Bill B.]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

John, in the beginning I bought one of the small style plastic cabinets and I thought it was just fine--it is in the city dump now. Overtime, I needed to do larger items and some just didn't fit in there and the plexiglass window sucked. I have also used a larger commercial style alum cabinet and it was fantastic. To me, the compressor's ability to keep up is the critical item. I have a 110v 5-hp 40gal compressor and CFM at high pressure is marginal. I slso have a 3-phase 10hp 200gal compressor. It can easily keeps up when blasting. I think you normally get what you pay for and what you can afford. Right now I am making my own cabinet 55 gal barrel cabinet with as etch resistant glass as possible--and good light. I prefer the metal cabinets. Suggest you just do your best to figure out how large of items you will need to blast yourself and make sure they fit. You can always use a commercial blaster for the "too" bulky stuff. I should mention that I have four corvettes that I use mine for so it really gets a good workout. I also have space and that means alot.

[Gene M.]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

John,
I would suggest a pressure system over the syphon system. I just purchased a syphon cabinet because it is heavy and big enough for parts I wanna blast. My goal is to hook up my pressure stand alone 100 LBS sand blaster to use with the cabinet. It will need a venting system.

[Dave McDufford]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

John,

I use a cabinet from TP Tools with a vacumn system to keep the dust down. If money is an issue you can purchase the gun, accessories and plans to build your own from plywood (for $159) and make it about any size you want. The foot operated switch is better.

You need to make certain you have enough compressed air or you will spend a lot of time waiting. I have two 110v 5.5hp compressors (not really closer to 2hp -Sears) feeding into one one drying and filtering system.

I am doing a 65 Convertible and believe it would be very difficult without the beadblaster.

Dave

http://www.tptools.com

[Tim E.]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

John - I looked for a used cabinet for a while and even toyed with the idea of building one from a set of plans posted on the net. Then, Harbor Freight Tools put a floor standing, suction feed model on sale for $199 which I've been happy with. Parts are loaded thru a side door, the gloves are comfortable, and it included an interior light. Someone offered a good suggestion to upgrade to a good quality gun and save on the cabinet. For a hobbyist, my gun is fine, but I've already noticed some wear.

In Houston, moisture in compressed air lines is a huge problem. Visit the TP Tools for shop air plumbing diagrams and information on dealing with moisture. I ran 40 feet of steel pipe to cool and condense the moisture with drains and a good quality dryer and separator to solve the problem.

To clean nuts and bolts, drill holes in a scrap piece of 2X4 to hold bolts and add a few long nails to hold nuts and washers. Something else I found handy was the Blast Bucket in Eastwood's catalog. Immediately plate, paint, or blacken your fasteners without touching them!

Tim

[Craig S.]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

I agree with Dave - Skat Blast make nice cabinets. I have their 950 cabinet with the 176DC collector, that I have upgraded the gun with their production gun that takes a 7.5-15HP compressor. I still would like to go to the full 25CFM gun but that will have to wait until I complete my 20HP Quincy 390 compressor project, currently I am running a 10HP 340 2 stage. You will find that if you want speed, you need power (sounds like cars huh?). :d Craig

[Ray C.]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

I built my own steel cabinet and purchased a pressure tank-blasting unit with a carbide tip. I used it free standing to sandblast the frame and I insert the hose into the cabinet when I want a closed system. I have a vacuum system to remove the dust from the cabinet. You need a good compressor to provide the air volume needed for the blasting unit. Total cost was under $100.00

Ray

[John O.]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

As always this board pulls through will the best advice! Thanks to everyone for responding!

John

[Gary Chesnut]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

John,

As Mike pointed out should have a high volume compressor. 10HP is normally recommended for bead blasting but 5HP will work if you take it slow and break often and let compressor cycle and catch up.

Gary #5895

[Jim T.]

Re: Blasting Cabinet Recommendation-Off Subj.

John if you have a Tractor Supply store you can go by and check out the metal bead blast cabinet they offer. It is priced pretty reasonable at less that $100 if I remember their add correctly. Have not went by to see the unit in person.