I've been lurking here for a while and I would just like to add one
comment. I wouldn't allow anyone to use a blast cabinet for doing intake
manifolds. When I was working as a mechanic we let a fellow use the
cabinet to do an intake manifold and he didn't clean it properly and the
glass beads destroyed the engine. Naturally he blamed us.

If you do bead blast an intake manifold it needs to be cleaned several
times with hot soapy water. Cleaning with solvent, as in a parts washer,
won't work.

Just my .02. I should just add I think this is the best group on the
internet, I've learned a lot while lurking. Can't wait to get into my new
shop and start making chips again.

Regards

Bill


Backlash ) wrote:
: Harold has covered a lot of the finer issues associated with a blasting
: cabinet, so what I'll say is YES, YES, HELL YES, get a cabinet. If you are
: into any type of refurbishing activity, It will be the best money you will
: ever spend. Using glass beads, I use mine for everything from mill scale to
: cleaning .014 carburetor jets and emulsion tubes for motorcycles. Aluminum
: oxide for heavier rust and such. There are 2 cabinets, one is 32" wide, and
: the other is 48" wide. Both have dust extraction systems with bag filters. A
: pair of 5 hp compressors drive the units, to insure continuous use. A 2 hp
: is on standby if needed. Side money can be made by blasting things for other
: people, such as aluminum intake manifolds and such. ($15 bucks, 15 minutes)
: One cardinal rule......Items must be dry and oil free, or you'll clog your
: system.

: RJ

: "Harold & Susan Vordos" wrote in message
: ...
:
: "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" wrote in message
: ...
:
: I've been thinking about purchasing a small and inexpensive (Harbor
: Freight, to be precise) sandblasting cabinet but as I've never used a
: sandblaster I'm wondering if it'd really be what I'm hoping. It
: probably
: wouldn't see so much rust removal duties as it would the removal of mill
: scale from hot rolled steel items like angle iron and flats, but I was
: hoping it could also be used to achieve nice matte finishes on steels,
: aluminum, and plastics depending on the abrasive used. Traditionally I
: rely heavily on things like wet-dry sandpaper and those abrasive plastic
: Brillo-esque pads on the end of an angle grinder, but it seems like a
: sandblaster would be more efficient and do a better, more uniform job.
: Is
: this going to be the case? Or am I really going to be asking too much
: of
: a Harbor Freight sandblasting setup? I suppose I could get one
: someplace
: else instead, but money's tight and I'm not planning on using the
: equipment too heavily anyhow. Would this sort of device do the job, or
: should I be looking to other methods?
:
: You're on the right track where improving surface condition of materials
: is
: concerned. Sand and bead blasting can leave very nice patinas, depending
: on the media chosen and the pressure at which they are applied. In
: reality,
: you'd need a few different medias to accomplish a wide variety of
: finishing.
: Some are even non-destructive, such as walnut shell blasting.
:
: There are a couple considerations for you. One is the size of the
: cabinet. If you buy a small one you're going to find it is too small
: unless
: you are restricted to model type work. My cabinet will accommodate an
: item
: that is 26" long and I consider the cabinet too small for many of the
: things
: that I'd like to blast. While pieces may fit inside the cabinet, it
: isn't
: always easy to blast them end to end, even when turning them over and end
: for end. As items get longer and wider it gets more difficult to access
: them with the gun.
:
: The second thing for you to consider is the amount of air you'll need.
: I
: run a Quincy compressor, two stage, rated at 19.3 cfm @ 175 PSI. My
: cabinet can keep the compressor running almost continually. If you are
: desirous of blasting an item without interruption until it is finished,
: you
: might give the size of compressor you'll need considerable thought.
:
: There are economical ways to get around some of the issues. You can
: build
: your own cabinet if you have any welding capabilities, and use a squirrel
: cage blower to evacuate the dust from the cabinet instead of using a
: vacuum
: cleaner. I have used both systems and prefer the squirrel cage blower by
: far over the vacuum cleaner system. Your circumstances may prevent going
: that direction, however, so give that some thought before making a
: decision.
: I live out in the country with no immediate neighbors so the dust is not a
: problem. The vacuum systems are intended to be used with inside
: discharge,
: but I found the filtering system way too restrictive and time consuming.
:
: I strongly encourage you to get the setup. You'll be surprised at how
: much
: you'll use it if you have it.
:
: Hope this helps~
:
: Harold
:
:



--
William Cavers
Department of Engineering Mathematics
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS
(902) 494-6120