Doing a '69 ground up resto.

What parts should I blast, which should I replace?
Which type of media for which project?
What size cabinet should I get? A friend recommended 3' X 2'.
What should I not blast?

I'm currently looking at a harbor freight cabinet for $300.
I was told to use glass beads or wallnut shells...are there different effects I am going for other than "cleaning" up bolts and parts.

 

Buy the biggest cabinet you can fit into your allocated space. You'll regret buying a small one. Even if a part will physically fit into a cabinet, you need room to move it around, and room to move your gun.

Not familiar with Harbor Frieght's cabinet, but you should consider buying a cabinet with a vacuum system and filter to suck out the dust as you're working. You'll also want one with a spot/flood light inside. You might also want to consider one mounted on a high stand/pedistal. The bench mount ones sit VERY low, and are very uncomfortable to use.

I bought one from TIP many years ago. Still working fine. Chuck

 

You say you are doing a total resto and need to do some blasting. I would not recommend buying a blasting cabinet unless you have a continuous need for the tool. Problem is, they take up too much room in a typical two car garage most of us have to work. When you are finished, it is still there taking valuable garage space. I take small parts I want glass beaded to a local brake shop and for a fee, they come back as new. When I had my 69 coupe all apart, I built a frame rotiserie out of wood pallets and a blasting booth from 2x4 framing and covered it with clear plastic. I rented a sandblasting set-up and did the frame and all suspension compnenets. I have a compressor, but was too small for that job. Having said that, I would recommend taking those parts to a monument blaster and let them do it. There are too many too's in the reasons why, so, I say it is money well spent to let a professional do it. It will save you time, money, garage space and no mess to clean. Although, I sprayed my suspension with catalysed enamel, many claim brushed on POR-15 yields great results. If you are going to paint yourself, be sure you have a more than adequate water seperator system. Just a seperator filter is not enough, you need to move the heated air away from the compressor and alow the air to cool and moisture to condense. An ole bud built a great system from 1/2 pvc tubing that had several tool connectors and water bleeds around the garage. He claimed the pvc would hold 150 psi and must have been right as he used it with no problem for tools and painting. Anyway, these are just my opinions and worth what they cost you.

 

I purchased a blasting cabinet from Harbour Freight or it's rival and found the following problems:
1. The bottom is not steep enough to let the sand flow back down to pick-up
2. The light switch quit working almost immediately due to sand in the switch
3. My vacuum cleaner won't keep the air clear enough to see the parts
4. The window becomes cloudy real quick due to sand hitting it
5. The light is not bright enough

I still use it but prefer to use my portable one to sand blast in the driveway in nice weather.

 

I've got an Eastwood cabinet, and I love it. The new ones are even nicer - not cheap, but they WORK. Spend a little time tuning the cabinet before getting too carried away.

You definitely need a good-sized compressor if you're going to glass bead - the little pull-around 12 gallon tanks aren't going to get it. And you'll need a good-sized shop vac to pull the dust out.

Lastly, find a local source for media - don't pay $$$ for someone to ship it to you as there's someone right down the road...you just need to find them.
http://www.eastwoodco.com/

Bill
1969 L-46/M-20 Convertible
Just starting restoration

 

Thanks, didn't even know eastwood existed and for the same price and the negative comment about harbor freight cabinets, I might as well go with them. I'll use the cabinet for the project and then sell it when complete.

Anything I shouldn't blast...or any special prep of parts needed other than capping hose openings?