Update on Sand Blasting Cabinet & Metal lathe

Cabinet looks great Howard! How well does it work? Have you done any parts yet?

 

I do know that any parts you put in one of those have to be absolutely clean and dry, no oil or grease or it will clog it up. What kind of medium are you using?

 

Have you got an air dryer/moisture trap on the air inlet into the machine? I know there's a lot of moisture in compressed air. Every cabinet I've ever used had something to remove the water from the air before it came in.

As far as what's still in the bag, maybe you could bake it in the oven to dry it out, then bust up the chunks into a big strainer or colander? Screen it somehow until it's all powder again. Might be a good idea to get some kind of airtight barrel or large container(s) to store the stuff in after you get it recovered to keep it dry. Probably wouldn't hurt to get some large bags of dessicant if you can find some, and put those in the container too.

I swear I'm gonna own one of those machines before I die!

 

I use aluminum oxide in my cabinet. Only recently been experiencing moisture problems. I'm gonna add another water trap in line just before the cabinet and see if that helps. Al oxide is way too harsh for aluminum parts but great and fast for rusty parts. Might try some glass art one day as the media really did a job on my window on the cabinet.

 

What kind of cabinet do you have, Dave? I went to a local dealer for Zero Blast-N-Peen cabinets today to check them out , and OMFG are they high!!!! The one I looked at was close to $6500!!! And that's without a compressor, and you gotta have a monster compressor. And the thing took up almost as much floorspace as a Jeep.

Looks like I'll be getting a cheapo from Harbor Freight some day. At least the Zero dealer offers custom blasting, they'll do your parts for $75 an hour. Maybe I should go into the parts blasting business.

 

I have an OLD Empire unit ( not sure they're even around anymore) that once lived , I'm told, in a school shop. I got it a partial payment for a concrete job. Works pretty well but keeps the compressor real real busy. 60 gallon tank. I should maybe put another tank in line as a resovoir/ additional capacity but really don't have the room. I just can't be in a hurry when I'm working and give the compressor frequent breaks.
Glad I got the cabinet though. Takes up some room but comes in great handy. Convenient ya know.

 

You're a lucky man, Dave! That's gotta be one of the most lusted-after tools out there...at least for guys that are familiar with them. I would love to have one! A co-worker has a buddy that has a Snap-On beadblaster sitting in his backyard, rusting away under a tarp, but he won't sell it.

Found another place that does custom blasting for $56 an hour. You could blast a lot of parts in an hour on a good machine with lots of air, so maybe that ain't too bad. I'll keep looking though, got lots of time.

I wonder if a guy could make some decent bucks on the side (Jeep funds?) blasting things for people in his garage?