Using a Blast Cabinet

[coolford]

I have be using this TP Blast Cabinet for nearly 30 years.  My air supply is a 7.5 HP Craftsman oil-less and it is still providing 90 psi continuous.  It has cleaned the parts for seven cars I restored and I have no idea how many tools.  If I plan to paint an item it goes in the blaster.  If you use a blaster, never use it on tools that will not be painted as it will ruin them. I have used various media in the blaster over the years, but presently use Scat Blast as it does the job I desire.  I consider it one of the best tool investments I ever made.

[oldgoaly]

I bought one off a local paper, didn't work. A guy bought it new, used it it started to not work as well he sold it to a buddy of his cheap. This guy could not get it to work right. So I bought it for a 100$, cleaned out the old sand/ media put new in and it worked fine. The sand they used turned to dust(not good to breathe) Still had the original nozzle and pick up orifice.  Extras came with it when new. Got a call from the guy I bought it from he asked how it was working. Like new!  A couple of mods I made, one is a catch pan at the door, keeps the floor clean. and a plastic shield for the glass that is held on by magnets, easy to clean. and added a 2' fluorescent light inside. Also I vent the vacuum system outside with 2" PVC pipe.

[coolford]

Mine is vented outside also with a 2" PVC pipe.  Important to drop the vac canister from time to time to get the dust off the bag and change the media from time to time as you mention, as it turns to dust.

[oldgoaly]

I was doing lots of rusty car parts, the rust dust is not good for the vac system either.

[amecks]

Have either of you tried walnut shells or baking soda?  I would like to have a small bench top unit.
Al

[oldgoaly]

Just sand, glass beads and plastic media. Got to clean it out good when switching!

[coolford]

I have only used the media types that are sold by TP Tools.

[oldgoaly]

I had a couple of buddies with the same cabinet, so we pooled our order and had it delivered to Hershey swapmeet. Carmen was the gentleman I dealt with good guy! saved a bunch of money too! I think the model # was 950 or 960?

[EVILDR235]

We had one at work I used for 32 years. It was a used Mac tool brand. We used glass bead in it and cleaned hundreds of tools and old car parts of my own. I also had the use of a Storm Vulcan parts washer that I used to de grease parts before bead blasting. I miss the use of the tools, but not the job itself.

EvilDr235

[wvtools]

I have cleaned tens of thousands of tools with mine.  I use pretty fine glass beads for ones with no moving parts and walnut shells for ones with moving parts.  You have to be careful with the glass beads not too take off too much. 

I use the same compressor, but mine is not starting up right now.  I need a new control switch.  It has always done a good job.  I also use a 2 inch vacuum nozzle to a shop vac.  I cruddy shop vac is better than a good one.  If it sucks too good, it is hard to move your hands around.  I have benchtop models and have always had a hard time keeping the gloves attached.  I use the plastic shields, but tape them on, and use an external fluorescent light on top of the plexiglass on top.

I would like to get a bigger model like yours.  It probably has bigger pickup tubes.  I have a lot of problems with the walnut shells getting stuck or not flowing right because of the very high humidity where I live.  I have a drop pot type dewatering mechanism in the intake line, but it only helps so much.

I always wear a respirator when I am using it.  A little of the dust gets out, and I do not want silicosis.  Also, I think I am allergic to the walnut shell dust.

[amecks]

I have used baking soda as a media - at work.  Blasting fuel injection parts of steel, aluminum and "pot metal".  I did do a few aluminum motorcycle parts.  The baking soda gives a fine finish and is water soluble, so a rinse in hot water will remove any residue.  It works great but probably not the type of media to use for heavy rust.

[papadan]

Have either of you tried walnut shells or baking soda?  I would like to have a small bench top unit.
Al

Al, I had and used the Harbor Freight bench top blast cabinet for quite a few years. Worked really well. I mostly used black sand in it from HF.

[oldgoaly]

Took a few pics of mine, the tray is just 26ga s/m, lamp is a 24" fluorescent. The window protector is held on by magnets, makes it easy to remove and clean.