When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've got the press but your after pictures are making me think I need a blasting cabinet now..
my cabinet is just a benchtop I got from TP tools in canfield ohio over 25 years ago. i'm somewhat limited on size and space in my shop, so the benchtop on a roll-around cart works out best. this thing can handle about 90% of my needs - the largest thing I can get inside is an intake manifold. it's been rebuilt once, modified (side mounting electrical and LED lighting), and fitted with a custom roll-around cart - I can move it around as needed and it stores well. there's probably been 50 carburetors, several tuned port systems, and half a 69 corvette through this thing. it's been a workhorse -
a little tech tip - nothing earth shattering - though id' pass it along.
when pressing bushings in or out of the upper control arms, as most know, you'll need a support between the two arms of the upper assembly. I just cut a piece of 1.25" angle - length, a snug-friction fit. on each end, drill a .25" hole about 3/4 inch from each end and secure with a couple tie-wraps. takes the place of a couple extra hands. I did my initial cut about 1/16" longer than needed and carefully trimmed to size with my bench grinder. the tie-wrap thing is more beneficial when pressing in the new bushing on the one side of the upper arm.
I too have a 25 year old blast cabinet from TP Tools. I just went a little bigger. And like you, it has done a lot of parts. I can not imagine doing jobs without it now.
Here is mine. I thought I had a better pic, but this will have to do for now.
I too have a 25 year old blast cabinet from TP Tools. I just went a little bigger. And like you, it has done a lot of parts. I can not imagine doing jobs without it now.
Here is mine. I thought I had a better pic, but this will have to do for now.
damn, that's some shop! just how many square feet do you have there? i'm jealous to say the least!
when we moved to florida, we down-sized when we built our "retirement home." I though I was pretty much done with corvettes and cars in general - that lasted all of about 6 months. right now i'm limited to around 575 square feet, and that has to double as our two car garage. I have to get real creative on space allocation, and I'm somewhat limited in what I can do now. i'm officially "out of room." i've been retired some 10 years now, and when I was still working, I had access to some of the best equipped engineering shops around, but those days are over.
my cabinet is just a benchtop I got from TP tools in canfield ohio over 25 years ago. i'm somewhat limited on size and space - about the largest thing I can get inside is an intake manifold. rebuilt once, modified, and a custom, roll-around cart. there's probably been 50 carburetors, several tuned port systems, and half a 69 corvette through this thing. it's been a workhorse in the shop -
I haven't talked myself into it quite yet, I've got a co-worker with a cabinet that needs to be emptied and cleaned up that'll let me spend as much time as i need with it as long as I also help him drink his beer.
A cabinet in my workshop is on my Christmas list for "someday" though.
When I replaced the bushings on the upper control arms, I used a drill bit to drill the bushing out. There wasn't much left of the bushing and it let the control arm shaft slid right out.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Correct....Also known as rear camber rods (since that's their job).
Nice work (and shop) guys! I let the pros do my front (local Chevy dealer). I just did the rear this fall. Lots and lots of work but well worth it!
Don't be stingy with the grease! FWIW, I applied mine and let it "dry" overnight. Not really by design just had enough for that day. I kinda wonder if that helps "set" the silicone-like lube in place? (I'm sure it can't hurt).
Curious on what you guys are using for air dryer? I've been wanting to get a good sand blaster cabinet and do some of the painting myself.
In the past usually just got everything powder coated. I'm lazy.
I've had the devilbiss DAD-500 desiccant air dryer system since 2002 - bought it when the pricing was still reasonable, however it still cost more than my compressor. I can usually get two years out of the desiccant medium (which is a bit pricey), and usually clean and service the oil separator filter and the water separator filters, along with my compressor yearly. no issues and always had dry air.
Curious if you guys spraying a coat of clear onto the parts, after sand blasting?
i'm not spraying any clear coat after bead blasting. for my suspension parts, i'm taking wenol metal polish and 0000 steel wool and lightly polishing the parts. I didn't want the highly polish, chrome or mirror look, but something closer to OE.
the wenol polish has some sort of sealant, and should keep the the parts looking good for some time. https://www.autogeek.net/wenol.html - my 85 is a daily driver, and the chassis-bottom end, lives in a rather harsh environment. hopefully, the parts will stay looking good with only an occasional cleaning.
not to go OT, but here's some additional info on finishing other aluminum parts. I've bead blasted engine parts, and with anything under the hood, I chem-film the pieces/parts - that chemically puts a somewhat invisible film that get into the pores of the metal. pretty much stops any aluminum oxide corrosion dead in it's tracks. again, no clear. I've had chem-film parts that looked good after 20+ years. chem-film is a PPG product - https://www.welleauto.com/index.php/...egory=13377408 - it's pricey, but stores well, and last a long time.
damn, that's some shop! just how many square feet do you have there? i'm jealous to say the least!
when we moved to florida, we down-sized when we built our "retirement home." I though I was pretty much done with corvettes and cars in general - that lasted all of about 6 months. right now i'm limited to around 575 square feet, and that has to double as our two car garage. I have to get real creative on space allocation, and I'm somewhat limited in what I can do now. i'm officially "out of room." i've been retired some 10 years now, and when I was still working, I had access to some of the best equipped engineering shops around, but those days are over.
OK Joe, if you insist.
The workshop area is 2000 SqFt and the storage area is 3200 SqFt. for a building total of 5200 SqFt. Yeah, I know how lucky I am. I built it in 1992. The paint booth is a little small to do a whole car, but I could probably make it work if I had to. Here are a couple more pics if you are interested.
Yeah Joe, you are ahead of me on the retirement plan. I am counting may days, got about 3 years to go. Can't wait.
Curious on what you guys are using for air dryer? I've been wanting to get a good sand blaster cabinet and do some of the painting myself.
In the past usually just got everything powder coated. I'm lazy.
Basically, all I am using for the blast cabinet is one Dominic Hunter coalescing filter. And since I have installed many years ago I have not had an moisture issues. Here are the ones I am using.
I am using a single AO on the blast and a combination AA & AO on the paint booth. I really thought I would have to install a dryer in the system but these are working so well beyond my expectations that I have looked back. There are times that cabinet sucks a lot of air and I have never had a problem with water.
I too have a 25 year old blast cabinet from TP Tools.
hey Randy - what blasting media are you using in your cabinet? for years I used glass beads from TP, but my last fill was "speed bead." I get about the same finish, but this stuff cuts a lot faster. don't know if you've tried it - just a little FYI - http://www.tptools.com/Speed-Bead-Abrasive,352.html
the only problem not living back in ohio was my close proximity to TP and summit racing. shipping on 50# of medium has an additional shipping charge to here in florida - - fortunately, when we visit friends back in ohio, I make the rounds and stockpile supplies.
The workshop area is 2000 SqFt and the storage area is 3200 SqFt. for a building total of 5200 SqFt. Yeah, I know how lucky I am. I built it in 1992. The paint booth is a little small to do a whole car, but I could probably make it work if I had to. Here are a couple more pics if you are interested.
Yeah Joe, you are ahead of me on the retirement plan. I am counting may days, got about 3 years to go. Can't wait.
holy crap! my whole house is only 1700 square feet. I have never seen a shop like that. is this just your hobby, or are you running a business there? are you sure you know just how lucky you actually are???
holy crap! my whole house is only 1700 square feet. I have never seen a shop like that. is this just your hobby, or are you running a business there? are you sure you know just how lucky you actually are???
Yes Joe, just a hobby. I don't want to ruin my hobby by make a business out of it.
FWIW, I applied mine and let it "dry" overnight. Not really by design just had enough for that day. I kinda wonder if that helps "set" the silicone-like lube in place? (I'm sure it can't hurt).
- fortunately, when we visit friends back in ohio, I make the rounds and stockpile supplies.