Shot Blasters

[acox99 74 1 Cars]

I'm looking to buy a shot blaster to clean up an engine bay that's quite pitted with rust, has anyone tried the eBay jobbies, there reasonably priced, but that concerns me as they could be rubbish. But for the price I think they would be worth a go.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/130427874115

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

You will need a good compressor with a good cfm to do blasting.

[trogboy 17]

As above. The ceramic nozzles wear pretty quickly too - at which point you need lots and lots of displacement to maintain a usable pressure. Setting the blending valve is also "fun" if you have too small a compressor and are constantly waiting for it to catch up. Pretty useful with something like a single or double tool road compressor though which can be hired pretty cheap for a weekend.

[acox99 74 1 Cars]

I've got access to a descent compressor, so that's fine, and you can buy replacement nozzles.

 

I was given a blaster that was bought from frost, and it's aweful, it doesn't flow nicely and takes a long time to make any sort of progress removing rust even if you play with the settings, it just pick up the medium, I've tried glass bead and a heavier slag and in the end I gave up and stuck it in the corner. I think the biggest problem with it was the outlet from the hopper was in the side of the cylinder, and it was flat bottomed, where as these ones are pressure/gravity fed from the bottom of the cylinder that has a cone.

[mrfirepro 127 1 Cars]

I bought this one, as it seemed a very good price.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Magnum-Industrial-Sand-Blasting-Cabinet-Sand-Blaster-220L-Sandblaster-Bead-Grit-/200567742812?hash=item2eb2c4e15c:g:ETEAAOSwGvhUGCnF

 

Generally was quite pleased and it worked well. However the lighting level was almost unusable, so I installed some LED flood lights between the arm holes and above the glass and it's now very easy to see your work.

 

Next time your around feel free to pop in and have a look

[acox99 74 1 Cars]

I have got access to a basting cabinet, I need one to be able to do large areas, for example a panel, engine bay or for chassis work, i can't get it fully basted as its still relatively complete car otherwise I wouldn't bother and just get the whole thing done.

Edited November 4, 2015 by acox99

[Darrens205GTI 10]

I've had an ebay one for about 6 years now, it's not the one you've shown but is slightly bigger and cost me £70 I think. I have used it on and off over the time and am very happy with it. I originally bought it to do my old Sierra underside but have used it for brake calipers, engine blocks and gearboxes. If you are doing panels try it on a scrap one first to get the right distance and angle to save you time and sand.

 

Mine has been really good but does, as was said previously, enjoy a healthy diet of nozzles ​

 

The only other thing to remember is the whole area around you will look like there was a Sahara Desert Sand storm, everything gets covered in a layer of sand. I tend to try and make a canopy with some plastic sheeting around where I am working with my arms inside a bit like a blast cabinet just to control the amount of sweeping up after.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Make sure you use a cabinet of similar, an old tent works well.

It goes and gets everywhere.

[acox99 74 1 Cars]

Thanks Darren that's handy to know, haha I can imagine it stings like f**k after a while if it hits you as well. Sheeting sounds like a good idea. Il purchase one and see what it's like.

[trogboy 17]

If you've got the CFM then they are OK for the money. If you re-use the media make sure you sieve it well and keep it as dry possible as to avoid blockages.