sand blasting

[Jr. Roby]

Is there such a thing as a good small sand blaster? I get good sand until i put the tip on then nothing.what is wrong?

 

[David G]

You gotta turn the air on.

 

[Hotflashjr]

Put a water trap/filter as close to the blaster as possible. I have one mounted right where my air hose connects to the blaster. Any bit of water in there clogs you right up. Make sure the blaster isn't the lowest part in the line from the tank otherwise any water will run to that point as well. Took me a while to figure out how to keep mine dry but once I did it was fine. I think Tractor Supply sells those water traps for $30 or so.

 

[Todd Hovick]

My hose kept clogging with TSC Black sand, I went to dry play sand and it works great

 

[Anonymous-0]

Make sure you run the sand through a window screen, to get rid of over sized particles.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a cheap Campbell Hausfeld unit. Just tear the bag open and shove the hose in there. Plug the air on and go. Have never had a problem. Blasted my entire tractor when restoring it a few years ago. Worked real good. The sand I used was from Car Quest Auto Parts.

 

[Greenday]

Are you using blasting sand or just plain old sand. Plain old sand is not sized and bigger pieces will plug your nozzle. Like said if using plain sand you need to sift it through a piece of window screen wire

 

[Steve in VA]

I have one made by TIP and it has been great. Holds ~70lbs, pressurized tank, and easy replacement parts. It comes with a screen for the bigger chunks.

 

[JRSutton]

Grit size matters.

If you're using sand from a place like tsc, they generally have two sizes course 20-40 and fine 40-80

course 20-40 will clog up anything inexpensive blaster.

the 40-80 works very well (at least on the first pass - once you start re-using it goes downhill fast)

 

[sflem849]

(quoted from post at 12:57:01 07/19/12) I have one made by TIP and it has been great. Holds ~70lbs, pressurized tank, and easy replacement parts. It comes with a screen for the bigger chunks.

FYI TIP isn't making pressure blasters anymore just cabinets. They sold the rights to Brut Mfg. www.brutmfg.com

 

[JDseller]

I use silica sand I get at the lumber yard. I only use it once. It is not worth screening it and dealing with the moisture it draws. I only buy what I need for each job. It is like concrete mix in that it tends to draw moisture.

 

[tomga]

I have a cheap blaster from TSC. No moving parts, but aggravating. If you want to learn to cuss and can't get the hang of it, I would recommend a sandblaster. You will learn pretty quick.

 

[IOWA NORTHEAST]

I have several different types. and they all work good.

Try this (not a joke) Stop the air flow at the nozzle. Now place the tip VERY hard aginst your hand, Now pull the trigger again, and the air will blow backwards and in to the pot. Wear gloves (rubber) untill you trust me that it does not hurt. You must hold it tight however or it will hurt.

This method saves lots of time.

 

[sflem849]

(quoted from post at 16:54:15 07/21/12) I have several different types. and they all work good.

Try this (not a joke) Stop the air flow at the nozzle. Now place the tip VERY hard aginst your hand, Now pull the trigger again, and the air will blow backwards and in to the pot. Wear gloves (rubber) untill you trust me that it does not hurt. You must hold it tight however or it will hurt.

This method saves lots of time.

That method could kill you...

 

[IOWA NORTHEAST]

I understand your concerns, but there is not even a slim chance of injury. On a bet, I would hold it to my nose. This is not for a pressurized system.

Once I show folks, they can understand their is little or no force at the tip. The force can excape down the tube. Try it with a rubber glove if you dont trust it. It is a old trick I have used for fourty five plus years, and never heard of even a rash on any one doing it.

The only risk is the dust when it clears the tube. I live six miles from a silica mine, and know the dust will kill you. So be very careful with the dust, many miners have died, but it was just part of the job years ago.