sand blaster

Basil Greenleaf · Jul 31, 2013

What is the best type of sand blaster for doing tractors out in the open air. What PSI should they be run at and type of nozzle?

Anonymous-0 · Jul 31, 2013

you need lots of air when sandblasting, lots and lots of air :wink:

Josh in Pa · Jul 31, 2013

They need lots of air. 100 cfm or more? You can work slowly with less air, but your compressor needs to maintain 100 psi give or take through an open orifice at the end of the hose. The smaller the orifice, the smaller the sand that will fit through it, and the more likely it clogs up. Google texas blaster. They seem to be reasonably priced and well made.
Josh

Mark-Ia · Jul 31, 2013

Hire someone with a SODA BLASTER. Seems to work as good and no sand to get in where you don't want it.

gene bender · Jul 31, 2013

You can do a good job with a compressor that will maintain 70lbs and a nozzle that requires around 70cfm the media you use depends on your desires where to purchase, cost, location and if you want to reuse it. I use ceramic nozzles they last pretty good using sand i get in the bulk 26 a ton have my own 55 gal steel drums. I do cool the line fron the compressor to the pot in a container of cold water this stops the condensation in the air line made my own pot from a 100 lb lp tank works well.

David G · Jul 31, 2013

Realistically, you will want an industrial compressor, I just hire this out.

Dr. Walt · Jul 31, 2013

For "delicate" metal, ie: Copper, Brass, Aluminum, Pot Metal, etc. use Soda or Glass Beads.

rusty6 · Jul 31, 2013

I have only ever blasted small items so I don't know how practical mine would be for a whole tractor. It is just a small cheap attachment I bought at Princess Auto using sand I sift from my own gravel pit. I don't recall the cfm on my compressor but it is a big 40 gallon tank and never runs out of air pressure. Condensation is a problem plugging the tips sometimes even with a water trap on the line.
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Siphon-Guns/Siphon-Feed-Abrasive-Blasting-Gun/6320360.p

John B. · Jul 31, 2013

I made my pressure pot out of an old air tank I saved from a scrap road tractor. I have a 125 CFM portable gas powered air compressor and it maintains 100 psi at my blaster and I use 3/16" or smaller ceramic tips. I works very well. I've blasted a lot of tractors and sheet metal with it. Only thing that wears out on it is the cramic tip and the ball valve behind the tip. The tips do last a long time though. I had four that I used for 15 years. Yes you'll need an air compressor that will keep up with the 10-20 cfm these tips require.
Restoration tools for the enthusiast

Mike in Mn. · Jul 31, 2013

I have a pressure pot blaster that holds 90lbs of sand, bought it from Northern tool years ago and a NAPA commercial compressor, 5hp, 80 gallon tank. I have a sharp filter/regulator mounted right on the blaster plus all the filters and lines in the shop, never have a problem with moisture. The amount of air needed depends on the size of the nozzle used. I run 80 psi and a 1/8 inch nozzle, never run out of air and that set up is suppose to do about a square ft. of area per minute, which is about right. I use fine white silica, it costs about 11 bucks for 100 lbs at the local hdw. store. The nozzle will last for about a ton of sand. I have used this set up for more than 20 years and am more than happy with it.

Steve in VA · Jul 31, 2013

Even in the open air, using sand [aka silica] can have long term health consequences. Make sure you have a good quality respirator.

Josh in Pa · Jul 31, 2013

Gene,
Do you have a water trap at the blaster? I have thought of cooling the air with a tub of water in the summer, but then i would have condensation in the line. I guess the water trap at the pressure pot would catch that?
Josh

gene bender · Jul 31, 2013

those tips need like 70 cfm

gene bender · Jul 31, 2013

Yes i have one at the pot works great. I run 1/2 pressure line about 50 ft coil most in the plastic 55 gal barrel i cut in half sure works good even here in Iowa when the RH is high before that i did have a problem with moisture took a gamble on the idea air line is cold going into the pot and as you know is hot coming out of the portable old Jeager 70 cfm with Continetal motor.reg is set on 70 psi have did a ton of tractors and cults ect with the set-up get sand at the sand place that has washed and screened stuff for sand blasting haul three 55 gal barrels weigh in at around 2200 lbs last i got waslike 40 bucks. And i do screen when filling as plugged nozzles aren any fun.

gene bender · Jul 31, 2013

pressure isnt as important as CFM

gene bender · Jul 31, 2013

Here are the specs on tips for sandblasting with 80lbs pressure 1/8 15CFM 5/32 25CFM 3/16 40CFM 1/4 80CFM

Dr. Walt · Jul 31, 2013

rusty6:

I had one just like that years ago, worked pretty
good but SLOW. I found that for doing large items
such as the sheet-metal on a tractor, etc., take
the old paint & other gunk off with a 9" angle
grinder with a large knotted-wire cup brush on it
(prep work), then finish with the sand blaster.

Doc

KenL · Jul 31, 2013

Bought one from Habor Freight two years ago. Holds 90lbs and works excellent. One of my best buys. I have found that sand blasting works best between 70 & 80 lbs of air pressure. Above and below that the quality and speed of work being done starts to diminish. Also hold at a 45 degree angle.

sand blaster

Basil Greenleaf

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