Need some help with a Blast cabinet selection

B

Boone Hillbilly

New member
I am thinking about buying this cabinet
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93608

What I am wondering is would I need something like this as well
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34202

I have no experience with this type of setup as I have always blued. Help m with my selection. I need to be able to fit a barreled Ak receiver in the cabinet and I ned for the compressor not to cost over 400 bucks and also be able to run a paint sprayer. I will be using this alot for prep work, maybe 10 times a week. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
blast cab.

Dear Sir:
I bought a used TRINCO for $400.00 years ago and doc bought me a new 5HP. air compressor for it.
You need a good compressor to run one properly.
I use auto shop glass beads and get good results for slight rust and paint removal in preparation for bluing.
I would get one big enough - mine is free standing and about 36" wide.
Harry B.
 
Blast Cabinet

I bought that exact same model and its OK. A little tight for long barreled receivers, but everything fits. I also bought a air powered vacum from Harbor Freight and ran a Y connector from the air compressor to run both the vacum and the compressor at the same time. Don't forget to buy extra stick on window shields, and blast gun nozzles.
For blast media I use DuPont Starburst which doesn't contain much silica dust and gives a better tooth than sand.
My compressor is a HF, 220v 12cfm @ 90psi. You'll need something that big when you run the blast cabinet and the vacum. There's nothing more frustrating than waiting for a too small compressor to get up to pressure.
You won't need the pressurized blaster.
 
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I bought the tabletop version of that same cabinet. It leaked out of the metal seams, since it is bolted together. I ended up returning it and buying another HF model that was welded on all the seams. Worked much better. Running it with a vacuum is absolutely necessary.
 
I do abrasive blasting as part of my business. Just for perspective, I run a 100hp compressor and a 600# pressure pot for industrial work. I also use a cabinet and a 5hp Ingersoll compressor for small stuff.

If you are doing primarily paint/phosphate prep I would buy a decent 5hp compressor, maybe used at a machine shop liquidation and a $35 gravity feed gun. Sears, JC Whitney and others sell them. Use 30-60 Black Beauty ($8-100#) and generally available at masonry suppliers for paint prep. The paint needs a 2-3 mil sharp profile for proper adhesion.

The Dupont Starblast is an excellent prep for phosphateing and makes a nice dull finish on stainless steel. Starblast is a "subangular particle" it has facets like a cut diamond and is halfway between sharp media and glass beads. It sells for about $15 for 80#.

These are media you can afford to throw away. Starblast gets finer and duller as it reused so for consistent results it is best to use fresh media.

Even though glass beads are more expensive, the amount used on a firearm is minimal and beads also break down if shot at adequate pressure to texture hard alloy steel firearm parts.

Do your work outside or in a very open shop area. Wear a 99 (not 95) rated respirator and a good hood. You will have very good results with the gravity feed gun and one time media. Spend the money on the compressor not a cabinet. My cabinet is 5' long but it is difficult trying to look through the glass window and handle a part more than about 3" long. I do most long parts with my main unit.

If you want any more info PM me. I see blasting questions frequently and with all due respect to the posters it is the blind leading the blind. When I started doing this about 15yrs ago, I soon discovered there aren't any how to books.
 
Yes, I found out that the compressor will make or break you. Lot of inexpensive home types don't have the pressure you need. OR consistently enough. Check the specs of whatever cabinet you buy to see what it requires.
 
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