I'm thinking about getting a blast cabinet to help with my restoration projects. I would like something big enough to handle rims and control arms. Any recomendations?
Thanks
Tom

Tom,
Before you buy one, see if your machine shop will let you try thiers (or maybe rent it) for an hour. Personally, even though we have a very nice cabinet at the shop, I would just as soon pay someone to blast suspension parts rather than stand in front of the blaster for an hour at a time.
Just my opinion,

I've been planning to build one out of a 250 gallon fuel oil container for some time now, when I finally get her done I'll post some pics.

Before buying a blast cabinet, What kind of compressor do you have? What is the CFM rating?
If your compressor is not up to it, you will be wasting your time and money.

Mike

Mike72ss is right on the money. I have a good size cabinet and run a 6hp 60gal with a 3hp 30gal. I have to stop all the time and let the air build back up.

I couldn't imagine not having a blast cabinet if you are going to restore a car. Mine is one of my most used pieces of equipment. Of course you have to have a good compressor, and then you should have a good vac, and in the end that all can cost allot. I'd recommend checking out www.tptools.com (http://www.tptools.com)

I have the 780tl, it's one of the smallest ones they sell, but it will fit a wheel or a control arm. Those items are more efficiently done with a pressure blaster, but you can do them in the cabinet if you want to spend the extra time.

Mike
I have an Ingersol compressor with a 60 gallon tank. At higher preasure I have almost 12 cfm
I think this would be a little on the low side but maybe doable?

It is on the low side, but it will work for short periods of time. If the parts are really pitted and rusty, it will really take a while. Running a blast cabinet is like running without a hose attached, it empties it out in a hurry, which causes the compressed air to heat, which causes water in the line. Make sure you use a good water trap and if possible make a long run of copper or black pipe before you hook up your air hose. I also have the Tptools model 780tl and it works great and long as the air is flowing!

Mike

Thanks for all the help
Tom

I bought a cheap blast cabinet at Harbor Freight. They work well if you first seal all the seams with silicone caulk. Be sure to hook up a shop vac or you'll have dust all over. This cabinet is mainly just to do small parts that are easily lost at a sandblast business, or rare hard to replace parts. Larger stuff like wheels, A arms, etc., it's better to take them somewhere and have them done.

TP for me also. Has been used alot and the finished product is worth the work.

I built mine from the TP plans kit they sell.Works great. My compessor has 16cfm @150psi and it still runs full time when I use it on bigger stuff (ie- wheels/control arms/etc...) You can't have enough air...."it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it" a wise man once told me that....

graemlins/waving.gif

Rick

I have a Harbor Freight also, boy do you need to caulk the snot out of these things and hook up some major vacuum to it to keep the dust down, also, scrap the light and use a magnetic light from on top through the window but for small to medium stuff it works good for the money. I have a 60 gal, 5HP two stage that runs continuously to keep up when I'm going full bore.

Rick, Mine doesn't have a light but I need one. Can you give me some more detail on that?

Originally posted by badboy333:
I'm thinking about getting a blast cabinet to help with my restoration projects. I would like something big enough to handle rims and control arms. Any recomendations?
Thanks
Tom I picked up one from Eastwood a couple years ago, best thing I ever got for the garage. It ran about $600 at that time for the medium cabinet.

I have This One (http://www.tptools.com/product.asp?base%5Fno=970&str%5Fbase%5Fno=960%2DFLX%2DDELUXE%2C731%2DTL%2C78 0%2DTL%2C951%2C952%2C960%2C960%2DLD%2C960%2DSE%2C9 66%2C970%2C976%2C&header%5Ftitle=Abrasive+Blasting+Cabinets%2DLight+ Commercial%2FHome+Abrasive+Blasting+Cabinets&page%5Fname=prod%5Flist%5Fdisplay%2Easp&search%5Ftype=L2%7E54&size1=&size2=&gender=&ShowImages=yes&sq=0&cont=1&intPgNo=1&mscssid=7N0PDNJTHS979HLWRQX3JMU9J4QRF6G8) I'm very happy with it.

Wow,
Jelous that you all have the space for one. I have had a long standing freindship with a local electric motor repair shop. They have a very large setup like the one in the above link. check around in the local car clubs. If you cannot get a big one, borrow it or rent it.

OK ill bite i have this one

http://www.tptools.com/eccStoreFront/tip/product_images/medium/960-SE.jpg

Derek69ss calls mine the Binford 6100. They are nice but take lots of floor space and do require maintainance. The glass and bulbs are a always needing to be replaced. The best media Black Diamond will tear up glass and bulbs in a day. Quality gloves are worth every penny, and ceramic nozzles wear with use. Reclaimer systems plug,and disposal of old media can be a challange.