One of the problems with having someone else do the blasting is that unless they know what they're doing, they can really mess up body sheet metal. Another thing is cost can run all over the place. I took 4 wire wheels to two different blasters and was quoted $100 at one place and $200 at the other. I found out that the local tire shop has a revolving wheel sandblast cabinet that rotates the wheel and blasts it automatically. They then powder coat for a total cost of $22 per wheel.
Guys I know there are a lot of different ways to skin a rabbit and I've tried just about all of them. A few years ago, after watching a TV Show about "Dustless Blasting" I bought a Geo Blaster wet abrasive blasting system. I can tell you for certain that if operated correctly, these are the most efficient way to get a top quality job on just about any kind of project (using re-cycled crushed glass media). Find someone near you and hire it out. I also found out that I'm too old to do that crap for hire, so I sold the system.
What a great idea! I don't think there are any shops around here that do that but I'll check into it. Thanks!
I know this is an old thread but I'll post anyway! Here's a write-up I did a few years back on modding a HF 90lb pressure blaster. To this day it works like a beast! Using TSC's Black Diamond, it strips anything I put in front of it. Here's the write-up.................... I finally got around to modding my HF 90lb pressure sandblaster. I got tired of blasting for 2 minutes then spending 30 minutes unclogging everything! I wound up replacing the feed assembly and modding the nozzle too. A few $$ in hardware store parts and a Saturday afternoon later and this thing is right up there with some of the $400 blasters! Here's the beast in question. I don't think HF even sells the 90lb unit anymore. Couldn't find it on their website. First I removed the original feed assembly underneath the tank then hit the local Home Depot plumbing department for everything I needed and put it all together. Below is the list of parts. A - 1/2" MIP x 3/8" MIP B - 1/2" ball valve C - 1/2" x close nipple D - 1/2" MIP x 1/2" barbed fitting E - 1/2" galvanized Tee F - 1/2" galvanized 45* G - 1/2" MIP x 3/8" MIP H - 3/8" brass coupling The red and black hoses are original equipment. So, I basically upgraded from 3/8" to 1/2" but there's really more to it than that. Here's a pic of the old feed assembly next to the new one. In the 2nd pic, note the size of the hole the media flows through! That's the choke point where all the clogging tended to be! With the 1/2" plumbing fittings, the hole is 3 times that size! No more clogging!! Be aware the 'made in china' POS has metric threads at the bottom of the tank but the MIP brass fittings are soft so wrap them with teflon tape and they'll screw nice and tightly into the steel metric boss. Because the new feed assembly sits lower than the original, I had to extend the legs to raise the unit up about 3". I still need to throw some paint on 'em. Holding the deadman handle down while blasting is a real PITA! Simple fix. Drive the rollpin out and remove the deadman handle. Back down to HD for a 3/8" x close nipple and a 3/8" ball valve. It makes it soooo much easier to handle now! Here it is in all it's splendored glory! One thing I've learned...........forget about using sand! Not only will it kill ya but it just doesn't do a very good job. I used to buy the $4 - 50lb bags at HD. Now I drive up the road and pick up 50 lb bags of Black Diamond blasting media at Tractor Supply Co. They cost twice as much but do 3 times a better job than sand! 1 bag of Black Diamond will do the same job as 3 bags of sand! So really, you're saving money and it works much faster! Win, win! I've found it best to crack the media feed ball valve handle about 1/4 of the way open. Open the air handles all the way. I use an I/R 5hp compressor with a water trap 5' downstream. I also fabbed this setup to help keep the air dry. I screw this to the side of my toolshed when I'm blasting outside. Combine that with the water trap that comes with the blaster and I have clean dry air! Today I blasted 4 wheels, a complete rearend housing and various suspension components. Took me about an hour and the blaster didn't clog once!! Mission accomplished!
I learned to sift my sand through porch screen to avoid clogging. Every time i sift I might find a dozen pieces big enough to clog line. I have no issues with my HF pot sprayer and have a RK 5hp 18CFM compressor. Takes 70 year old paint off very fast.
I have a pressure pot that I purchased from Eastwood about 25 years ago. It works fantastic. It uses ceramic tips that come in several sizes, depending on what type media your using. I've blasted everything from a complete 38 Ford sedan, to my western plow, to steel wheels. I just finished blasting my Kubota backhoe that I'm restoring. I've used all types of media, including a pallet of Dupont Star Blast. Lately I've been using silica sand, because I can get it for free at my work. Yes, I know it can kill you. I use it outside, with a good hood & quality respirator. I don't blast very often, it's a really nasty & dangerous job. But who you going to trust to do a good job anymore? Everybody is out to rip you off. If you do the job yourself, you have no one else to blame. Simple as that.
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