Sand blast questions

I'm new to sand blasting and could use some help. First off, I have a tractor supply table top sand blaster, decent but not big enough. Also I have a HF 10 gal pot type blaster. Sand blasting in the open creates a real mess. I converted it to all 1/2 in fittings, the 3/8's would stop up and clog. I'm building a cabinet, 48x36. Would it be best to hook the pot type up to the cabinet or build it siphon type like my table top? I want something that does a good job and works without getting clogged all the time. I have been using the TS blast media. I got 40/20 right now. I need another gun for the pot type, I was thinking of making one of them. The one's that have made their own out there, tell me what gave you the best results.

The siphon works great for the cabinet as you can re-use the media while still blasting.

The pot style is a one-shot deal.. then stop and refill.

I was thinking about changing to a pot style and using it in my cabinet, that would make it easier to convert to different medias. But that's as far as I've gotten..

I know, I like the fact I don't have to refill. I just thought maybe with the pot deal it'd take less air and work better, but like I said, I'm new at this. I tried hooking the pot up to the table top unit and couldn't get it to work right. Done something wrong.

I have tried a lot of different ways to pick up the sand in my cabinet. I always
had trouble with the pressure pots since they are so sensitive to moisture. The
gravity pick up you stick in the sand never seems to be consistent. I have had
the best luck using the setup that comes on the cheap gravity pots. It is just
a simple plastic fitting with an air hole on the top which helps draw the sand.
I ran the hose up, and drilled a hole into the blast area.[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psuixr9cey.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...pscqzm5kkp.jpg[/IMG]

This has been the most consistent, and easiest to clean out for me.
It would be easy to make a fitting like this, the one in the pic is plastic left over
from a cheap Sears gravity pot.
Rich

Rich, the fitting is just a nipple fitting with a hole in it and you run a I/2 in hose from that to the gun? What keeps sand from leaking out the hole? Can't really see the pic real good.

I have a TP Tools Scat Blast Cabinet and was having feed problems. I did a lot of research, (i.e. reading online) and found a post where a guy was having the same issues. He started using less media and his feed issues went away. So, I gave it a try, I only put 25lbs of a 50lb bag in the cabinet and I have had no feed issues since. I can't believe how well the cabinet works now, no more banging on the cabinet to get the media to the suction tube. I'm very pleased. You also want to make sure you have the correct size orifice and nozzle. My compressor is an IR T30 5hp 2 stage, I run a suction gun at 90psi with an 1/8" air jet nozzle and a 1/4" gun nozzle. Per the chart I'm moving about 1cfm of media. Make sure you have a good water separator. Good luck.

Keith

vht, here's a pic of that plastic fitting:
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps01hiyf4t.jpg[/IMG]

It has a 1/4" hole in it, and I use a 3/8" i.d. hose. This fitting is starting to wear from the sand running thru it, I'll modify a brass fuel line fitting to replace it.
Rich

Sand leaking out is not a problem, the weight of the media keeps it in place.

Thanks for the pics and info.

I switched my table top over to what Richb suggested. It works great. When I get the other 1 built, going with the same deal on it.

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Originally Posted by vht

I switched my table top over to what Richb suggested. It works great. When I get the other 1 built, going with the same deal on it.

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You convinced me! I'm gonna try it. My setup is alot like what RichB shows already, I just need a fitting to connect the hose to... I went to use mine this past weekend and it was a struggle to get it going, plenty of air.. just no media! grrrrr....