Sandblasting

I know several people here have sandblasting cabinets (JoeinNY, 81Nautique) that allow them to do small parts. Does anyone have any experience blasting larger parts?

At some point in the future, Ill be looking to sandblast at least 2 trailers. Im wondering if it would be more economical to invest in the equipment and media and do it myself, or if this sort of work is best left to a professional. Im sure I could find plenty of uses for the setup in the long run, so if the cost is reasonable and the work isnt too difficult, it would be nice to have the capability to blast stuff.

Any tips would be appreciated!

Alan is correct on all accounts. The size of the compressor/dryer needed for productive large scale blasting is way larger than can be justified for any other operations. I have a cheapo harbor frieght hopper and will go at it with my 6.5hp compressor setup every now and then but I can only do a small area before having to wait out the compressor. I could do a trailer in a day, but there is a guy down the street that I farm out major truckwork to, particularily anything that involves removing layers of paint and body filler.   If you do attempt don't use sand without a full body suit hooked to a hose respirator, black beauty is the best abrasive in my opinion runs about 9dollars a hundred pound bag and you can use a standard respirator and face shield. The people that do it for a living reclaim all media, using a big tarp with the sides pulled up and a good screen you can reclaim maybe 40 percent but boy is that time consuming.

I had an idea for a combination paint/sandblasting booth once i find my dream shop but it involved finding an industrial grade 25 horse turbine compressor.

As for the little bead blasting cabinets, I found they work best with fine black beauty with is about 1/10 the cost of the glass beads but it will cloud the window up pretty quick if your not careful.

I have a bunch of parts and pulleys to do over the next couple weeks so if anyone has something small they would like me to blast to help them along a cc project cover the shipping both ways and I can probably swing it for ya. .. no trailers...
-Joe.

JoeinNY wrote: if anyone has something small they would like me to blast to help them along a cc project cover the shipping both ways and I can probably swing it for ya. .. no trailers...

Damn, thought I had found an even better solution for a second there.

The CFM requirement was my biggest concern, and it sounds like I wont have a big enough compressor for the job. Considering the time involved, maybe this is a job left to a professional for the time being. I sure wouldnt mind having a booth for smaller parts though...

Ive heard having a trailer blasted should run ~$300. Sound about right?

Thanks for your input guys!

I sandblasted my trailer last summer. I was impressed how durable all that Rustoleum was I had put on it over the years. I've got a speedblaster that holds 2 pounds of sand for small jobs, and a pressure pot for bigger stuff. You don't need an extremely big compressor if you use a pressure pot. What ever you do, don't buy one of those siphon feed things, they aren't worth a chit. I know, there's one in the attic of my garage. I blast with white sand that I get from a local tombstone maker. That sand they use to cut granite is the best. They also have a pressure pot on site that you can rent for $90 an hour, which is way bigger and faster than what I have.

i know of two places here in northeast ohio that will blast them for 400.00...im sure it would be cheaper with cashola...looking at sand blasting my trailer 400.00 rhino lining it 220.00 new fenders 100.00 all new leds 150.00 and of course some chromes 125.00...so roughly a g and you basically got a new trailer...cheaper than 4k

Tim, I agree that sandblasting anything big should be left for the pro. A cabinet is nice for small parts but they to really eat up the HP on the air compressor. You may want to look into the sandblaster priming the trailer too. Most will because they are basicly set up for it with the large booths. They also want paint on the freahly sandblasted work ASAP because it rusts real fast. I had a local blaster do the Tee Nee for the atom for $100. I didn't have him paint because I had allot of welding to do repairing and modifing. I did however spray the freshly blasted parts down with a rust preventing light oil.

Alan, I would go for the smallest 240 volt MIG welder if you have 240 in you work area. I know they may not be as handy to carry around and just plug in but the extra amps available is worth it. I have a Miller and yes you pay for the name but I feel the quality and reliability is worth it. Do go with the gas set up because with flux core wire you're better off just getting a stick unit!! Take a look here:

http://www.cyberweld.com

Benj- Invest in the pressure pot and decent size compressor- then just buy a few bags of black beauty. you'll always have a need for the equipment in the future.
Oh yeah- and invest in some sort of hooded helmet thing- abrasive gets everywhere.
agree with others- don't waste your time or money on the gravity fed hopper style blasters.
btw- I had my trailer fixed up and painted last summer for 300 bucks.granted it's nothing special, but much better than it was.

8122pbrainard wrote: Alan, If you have a electric stove, pull it out when the wife isn't looking and plug it in there! You should have the electricial come for a visit as the 240 in the garage is real handy. You should ask some friends who are electricly inclinded as it isn't complicated.

Gas stove but no biggie, got a brother in law down in Indy that is going to come up and set up the garage and basement next time he's slow on work.

Here are 2 from Harbor freight that won't break the bank:
Harbor Freight 40 lb

Harbor Freight 110 lb

I don't remember the brand I used- it was a long time ago.
I've used gravity feed, hand held spot and pressure pot blasters. For a big job like an entire trailer, you'll want the pressure pot style.

JoeinNY wrote: PS. Alan get the welder, don't go industrial or anything one of the nicer 115v units with a gas kit should do it, only problem is after a while a guy with a welder starts seeing every thing that breaks as a job for a welder. "Let me go to the store and get a drill and easy out for that broken bolt... naw just bring it over to the welder..

Joe, Picked up a welder from Home depot this weekend. 115v and can add gas to it later.

Here's my first project. Used the press brake at my buddies HVAC shop and bend some 16 gauge to form a new bumper for the motorhome. Had to make a C shape, and Back panel and some brackets for mounting. Then an end cap and a door so it can be used to store an extra length of sewer hose. Never welded before but after a few tests I got the hang of it. Like you said I'm now looking for more projects.




Saweet.

Behl wrote: 81nautique Looks good. Is it stick or wire feed welder?

Thanks Steve, It's a wire feed made by Lincoln. On sale at Depot for $299. Can weld up to 1/4". I'm gonna have fun with this thing.

JoeinNY wrote: Congratulations Alan its always a big moment in a man's life when he gets his first welder. The bumper looks great. -Joe.

Ha, I've had a few other firsts that top this one but it will be a fun toy.

I will second that on the grinder, I have two decent ones (this is not the time for a harbor freight special), one has a good grinding wheel on it, the other I switch between a wire wheel and a flap disk depending on what part of the process I am on. I also wouldnt trade my auto darkening hood for anything (it is a cheepo harbor freight model) I find it much easier to start and place the weld with it than with the flip down, it is almost like cheating.
-joe