I am using the Harbor Freight 40# blaster with the CH 60 gal compressor at 90 psi. I have a minimum of 50'of steel tubing before an air filter, coalescing filter, then dessicator. I am having trouble getting the system to work for long periods of time. After blasting for a few minutes, the system quits delivering sand. The system is using a lot of cfm of air. The compressor runs all the time. I am wondering if moist air is clogging the sand or if I need to change some of the ball valve settings. Right now all 3 ball valves (line in, down line to bottom, and bottom valve are all wide open). Any tips on getting this system to perform better?

TIA, Kevin

Kevin,
How many CFM's @90 psi is your compressor rated for? What size lines are you using? Most likely your compressor can not deliver the volume of air needed for sandblasting for a long period of time. 80 gallon tank would help.

Mike

I have the same unit. I keep the bottom valve for the media about half open and i adjust the valve for the air inlet to adjust the air pressure.Takes some tinkering to get it right,but cant complain for $79 i guess!Are you screening your sand?All it takes is one chunk to screw it all up?I found using black beauty instead of sand worked a heck of a lot smoother.

Sand blasters can be finiky.
If you have any water in the air, it will collect in the sand pickup and gum up the works.
You need a water trap, or a loose fitting 10 or 15 feet from the blaster works too.
If the sand stops comming out, try putting the nozzle flat against a hard surface for a moment. It forces air back up the siphon tube to unclog jams ithey are there. If you are re-using sand, you must sift it.

Mike: I have plenty of cfm to blast. I am using 3/8" hose to the blaster. The problem is controlling the amount of sand and air.

70isfine: I am using grade 4 sand. It cuts well, and does not clog the tip. I am not re-using sand.

Dave: I have an air filter, coalescing filter and dessicator in line. All rated for much more cfm than I am running. The air may still be wet though. Since the compressor runs all the time, it is very hot air. The filters may not be doing their job. Thanks for the tip to clear the clog.

I am going to the place where I buy the sand. Maybe they can give some advise. I would definitely like a better means of controlling sand and air flow.

Thank you all for responding.

Kevin

I'm with SS_Dave on this one. You probably have some water in the line and that is starting to clog things up. It doesn't take much to slow the feed of sand.

True,but 70isfine is right on track. I have the 90pd unit and really takes some tinkering with the valves. Also make sure all the hose is laying on the ground. Don't keep 1 loop around the top if you know what I mean. Don't fill to the top with sand. And do not use regular sand. BTW,the water trap on mine blew up. Scared the hell out of me. Am lucky I did'nt take a chunk. That's feeding it 90psi.

I spent about an hour last nite trying to use my HF 40 blaster.Used Course black beuty media which I couldn't get to go thru my nozzles then switched to a finer grit black beauty media which was a little better but still clogged up in the nozzle.I finally gave up a n just used my good ole siphon feed craftsman unit with the course media and it worked just FINE.Maybe it'll work with some fine white sand instead of the black beauty,I was SO :mad: at that thing last nite I was ready to pitch in the trash. My problem seemed to be clogging of the nozzle with the media.And I was using the largest nozzle tip that came with it. :confused:

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Rick

I use #100 Black Beauty and it flows like water.I screen it while im loading the hopper.Like i said it only takes one chunk to clog it. The nozzle that comes on the HF unit is junk.I'm going to go with a real sandblaster nozzle like the one Eastwood sells next time i need to use it.

70isfine:

I agree, the HF nozzle is junk. I already replaced it with a nozzle I bought from my local sanblast supply. It works like a charm. I will probably replace those cheapa$$ ball valves as well.

When the thing is working, it does a beautiful job!

Kevin