sandblaster help

[cbudvet]

Help! I have purchased a pressurized sandblaster from harbor freight and I cant get it to work consistently. I also have been using black beauty media (fine) and it was working great but now all I get is air from the tip. My thought was some sort of clog but when I take it apart, the media poors from the bottom. I am not sure where the hang up is. Does anyone have any advice. I have also tried yelling at it and kicking it but no luck. Carl

( I am trying to clean up my series one gas tank that has 30 plus years of crud adhered to it.)

[Ed]

I have the exact same blaster. The only media that I have had luck with is the glass bead 80 grit. It also takes a bit to get the adjustments just right, air vs the amount of media. Try letting the tank fill up with air with about 80 psi. Open up the air flow (top valve) until you get a nice stream of air, about the same pressure as you would want to work with. Then slowly open the lower valve. It should start to flow before you get the lower valve open 1/2 way. If she still doesn't flow change the media.

[cbudvet]

Thanks, I will have to give it a try. Carl

[Zak's Z]

What type of Air Compressor are you using with it? How many HP and how many gallons? Also I had that problem until I got a 'water filter' for it. I screwed that on and it helps.

Zak

[nwcubsman]

I have a blasting cabinet, so this advice may not apply. In my cabinet, I have a filter to remove the water, but I have too much line between the compressor and the cabinet. It plugs because the moisture makes the media clump. In mine, I can remove the hose that feeds the media and blow back through it. Then the media will flow again for awhile. Be sure to drain the water from your compressor tank as compressed air creates quite a bit of condensation. It will also ensure your compressor tank will last for years.

Good luck.

[moonpup]

Mine clogs in the gun itself, right behind the ceramic nozzle in the small chamber where the air & media mix. This only happens on really humid days, despite having a good water trap and keeping the tank drained.

[Ed]

Good points about moisture, also what size air compressor do you have? How many CFM does it put out?

[a7dz]

I always sift the media before I use it. The extra few minutes is so much easier then tearing down the complete set up chasing the plug. I use an old wire kitchen strainer I got at Good Will. I have also found that I have to vary the pressure on the top side of the sand tank to keep the flow of sand constant. Changes with the moisture content of the air and the media being used. I have found that by adjusting the valve in between the water separator and the sand mix valve I can keep a better flow of sand and keep the pressure down causing less stress to the metal being blasted. I start with the valve about half open and adjust from there. I ran a 5 hp 30 gallon tank on this set up with great results. It did take some time to get the set up refined.

My 2 cents.

[JimmyZ]

I second a7dz's remark about sifting.

I use a screen (house screen) to sift. Use DRY sand. Make sure the sand you are buying is absolutely dry or the thing will clog. When/if it does clog close the air valve and open/cycle the sand feed valve a few times. Doing this may clog the tip so it might be easier to take off the nut/ceramic tip when flushing. I only have to open my sand valve 1/4-1/8 (very little) to get a good flow during use. Don't turn it off at the end that you hold. Instead turn off the sand flow then air flow. This way you line stays clean. Don't store sand in the tank as it will absorb water. Use only enough sand for the job at hand and fill to half capacity so that water from air supply doesn't affect your sand.

Don't rely on the water separator that came with the pot alone. Harbor Freight sells a blue water separator that is a canister type with regulator included. (It's about $35) This works great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1118

When your air supply at the sandblaster gets below 65-70 it's not as efficient and the sand feed can vary. Try and use it at 80-120.

[cbudvet]

Thanks for everyones advice. It came with an inline water catch but I will look into the other water seperator. I guess I need to do little more preparation and not get too anxious. Phooey, I want instant gratification. Carl

[hls30.com]

I want instant gratification. Carl

That's what the "Boobs" thread is for...

BTW, If you throw a packet of dessicant in with your sand, you can store it in the blaster indefinitely,

Will