[jcruz]

I just received my new blasting cabinet from Harbor Freight this week. It's a great piece of equipment but the assembly instructions sucked and there's little operational information. So, a question:

A restoration book I have recommends just going to your local building supply store and using "beach sand". But, there's a big sticker on the front of the cabinet that says "Do not use "sand"" (the word sand is in quotes).

Does anyone use sand in their cabinet? If so, what kind? Or, do you stick with the high-dollar abrasives?

Thanks,

John

1969 Firebird resto...doing my part to keep PY profitable....

[jcruz]

I just received my new blasting cabinet from Harbor Freight this week. It's a great piece of equipment but the assembly instructions sucked and there's little operational information. So, a question:

A restoration book I have recommends just going to your local building supply store and using "beach sand". But, there's a big sticker on the front of the cabinet that says "Do not use "sand"" (the word sand is in quotes).

Does anyone use sand in their cabinet? If so, what kind? Or, do you stick with the high-dollar abrasives?

Thanks,

John

1969 Firebird resto...doing my part to keep PY profitable....

[400 4spd.]

If you have a Grainger's Supply company near by, you can buy different grades of abrasive from them. I bought one of the 960 SE blasting cabinets from TP tools, and it came with 3 types of abrasives. The least aggressive is for soft metals, like aluminum. Save the harder, faster cutting types for heavily rusted steel and thick paint.
If you can find a firm sheet of clear acrylic plastic, cut a piece to tape to the inside of the cabinet glass. After a few hours of use, your glass will become "frosted" otherwise. Just change as needed. Much cheaper than glass.

I wanna be a Chief someday..

[61man]

Do not use sand, most people use glass beads, for most work, You can use other abrasives for different things, but glass beads are for the majority of your work.


http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/Pre1964Pontiacs.html

[jcruz]

I *do* have a Grainger's locally! Someone mentioned it but I didn't know the spelling. I'll defitinely be swinging by....

I ordered 25 pounds of glass bead just to get started. I'm interested in experimenting with different nozzle sizes and with different media.

Sounds like sand is not the way to go. Some of the media seems somewhat on the expensive side and I was just wondering if folks were using more cost-effective alternatives....

Thanks,

John

1969 Firebird resto...doing my part to keep PY profitable....

[61man]

Glass beads will last a pretty good while. I have 100lbs. in mine and it has lasted over a year. I've done several wheels, lots and lots of brackets, exhaust manafolds, and lots of odds and ends. the ceramic nozzles don't last as long. I bought a nozzle from TIP that is made of some kinda hard metal and is suspossed to last 5 times longer than the ceramic. So far I'm Pleased. I think that you will probably wonder how you ever got along without your cabinet after you use it for a while.


http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/Pre1964Pontiacs.html

[wholio]

The advice about covering your viewing glass is good advice. Once your glass gets scratched you won't be able to see much. I go to the local glass shop and get a sheet of 1/16 cut to te right size. The glass cost very little and I tape it over the inside of the viewing port. Unless you have a large compresser I wouldn't get over a 3/16 nozzle and jet. Pick up a foot control for the air and a shop vac for the dust.

[robscar]

my local tractor supply carries several different types of blasting products. yours may also.

[jcruz]

The inside of the window is covered with a thin, clear plastic sheet and replacements came with the cabinet. So, the inside window should be protected.

I must say, this was quite a bargain. $299 with a very large capacity and many accessories.

I'll be blasting away all day tomorrow!!!

Thanks for all the feedback,

John

1969 Firebird resto...doing my part to keep PY profitable....