I plan to restore my 71 over the next few years & want to buy a sandblasting cabinet.

What size should I buy?

What about the ratings, one uses 5 CFM at 80 PSI, (work bench size) vs 12 CFM at 90 PSI?

Would the first one be enough or more like a pea shooter?

Seems like the bigger the cabinet, the more CFM, but wouldn't it be the actual gun that uses more or less air?

My compressor produces 6 CFM at 80 PSI.

Can you guys help me out?

Thanks!!

Mike :flag


[Modified by Mike1971, 2:54 PM 3/19/2002]

What is the "Aluminum Oxide-Glass Bead Mix" meadia? What does the Aluminum Oxide do?


[Modified by Mike1971, 2:56 PM 3/19/2002]

 

Just make sure it can handle biggest part you plan to blast. I use one of those portable units you can get from loews etc. and blast in the yard, works well with my 20 gal sears compressor. :cheers: Good luck.

 

Look up on Harbor Freight or JC Whitney at the cabinets. I think they usually need about 8cfm at 90-100psi.

Good idea, get one that will hold the largest part that you want to blast. The long ones, take to Redi-Strip.

 

This is a nice one at Harbor freight. $99.99

 

What are the advantages of a cabinet over a sandblasting unit you can buy at sears?

 

Pulling media out of your hair and ears for two days. I didn't feel so good after 3-4 hours of blasting outside. And I was wearing a respirator and head cover with lens. The stuff flies everywhere.

 

It seems like its winter about 8 months of the year here in Wyoming. Also, my summers are very busy with other work.

 

Can you help with the CFM question, about how good is good enough.
Does it take half the time to remove rust & paint with half the CFM?

 

Mike, I have a mid size cabinet. I'm able to fit most of what I needed into it. I bought it from TIP, they advertize on the back of Hemmings Motor News. As to the CFM question most of these low cost units are siphon fed and need alot of dry air to produce good quality. I have a 60 Gal tank and a 5hp single stage compressor and it barely keeps up when I'm doing a large piece or many pieces. The higher the CFM number the more air it needs and when your blasting it is continuous need so volume is most important. I did my chassis and engine parts with mine and it worked out pretty well sometimes a little slow but in the end it was cheaper and more convienent that having a shop do them. There is one more part of the equation that you need to know, is that with a cabinet the dust build up is severe and a vacuum or dust evacuation system but you will still get sand/dust everywhere anyway. Aslo try and put the cabinet away from the area you are doing painting and finish work.

 

Mike, here's mine from TiP Tools. Best $350 bucks I've spent. My .02, don't buy a bench model, buy as big as you can. :cheers:

 

Topless that's the same one I have. One other thing I didn't mention is the media to use. I used glass bead and sand, if you need to remove a lot of rust and/or paint use sand but it leaves a very rough finish that works good for a heavy paint coating. The glass bead doesn't cut as good but leaves a smoother finish, it's easier to cover, like valve covers that the paint isn't very heavy.

 

I've only used the glass bead and gotten good results, so I don't have anything to compare it. I've used two 25lb boxes and done half of my car. :cheers:

 

Have you guys ever tried "walnut shells" ?? Honest i`ve been told it leaves aluminum (valve covers/intake manifolds) looking closer to original than glass bead. ...redvetracr

 

Does anyone have the url for TIP? Thanx -Rod

 

I have the Eastwood Benchtop. I mounted on top of a rolling tool chest so the bench space isn't wasted. I even got the driveshaft and halfshafts in there no problem.

I used a medium glass bead for most things. Wouldn't be without it. IT takes time no matter what you use to do a good job, but it's worth it.

I have have a Craftsman 6hp 30gal compressor. Wish I had a bigger one though.

 

The web site for tip is http://www.tiptools.com. I have a 950 Tip cabinet with vac system. It works great and is much better than sand blasting with a siphon unit outside ( been thete done that). My compressor has a 70 gallon tank and is a 5hp 2 stage. I use medium size tips and my compressor can't keep up. I have not tried wallnut shells but have used glass and sand. The difference is the sand turns to dust very quickly and the glass stays sharp ( thus less dust ) longer. The tip 950 is a great size I cando wheels as well as small parts. I have done 2 frame off restorations and now I have a lot more friends than before I owned the cabinet. Plus I usually don't have to buy the beer!!!

 

I use a standalone unit and blast outside...sure you get dirty but I can live with it.

 

I have the Harbour Freight model with a Craftsman 6hp with 30 gal tank. The compressor is the upright unit to save a little more space. The only thing with these high output single stage compressors is that they spin fast and are LOUD. It does fine, but runs continuously. It will probably wear out the single-stage aluminum pump. At that point I will proly replace the pump and maybe the motor too.

Here is mine http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42202

I got the bench top model to conserve space when not in use. I made a bench out of plywood, 2 x 4's. and 4 x 4's in about and hour to hold the thing. I can use this bench for a lot of other things when not blasting and the cabinet fits underneath. GET A SHOP STOOL. You are going to spend hours in front of this thing. Spare you back and feet. Also, get a light like a cheap stick-on flourecent model that you can put in the cabinet. Right now I am using a drop light that I shine through the glass view port.

BUY OR MAKE A DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM. I am using my Shop-Vac with dry wall dust bag filter. Use the bag filters, the normal "coffee filter" style ones will not do the job. Without this you WILL have dust everywhere!

As far as CFM and PSI, I start at 90psi. As I work, the pressure will drop down to abut 45psi and hold there. Even at 45 PSI it still cuts pretty good.

For larger parts I just pulled the gun out of the cabinet. Bought a bag of washed playground sand. Sifted the sand through a screen. Stuck the siphon tube in a bucket of sand and blasted away in my driveway. You will want hand and arm protection, eye protection, and some sort of filtering respirator - BIG time. Do it when your neighbors aren't around too. This is how I did my crossmember.

The sand will erode away your ceramic tip pretty quick as compared to glass beads. I used glass beads for all parts except the crossmember ( and frame ). Only then I used sand because it was cheap and I had no way of recovering it. Beads leave the best finish in my opinion.

 

thats a nice one :cool: :cool:

 

I have a TIP "stand alone" model. I also have an Industrial Air 80 gallon 5 HP 2 stage compressor, and blast at 80-90 PSI on the gauge using glass beads. You need a big compressor, or you'll run it to death. I've had this system for over 10 years, and have rebuilt the "gun" once. Works great, but wish I had room for a bigger cabinet. Chuck