The first try before didn't work, so, I'll try again.
Today after many months of saving money and doing just what I could afford, I got my blast shop up and running and am cleaning parts. I am using my shed ( 12 x 16 ) for my parts storage and blast shop. The compressor is finally running at 125 - 170 PSI. I am using black beauty blast media in my cabinet. Today I got the 621 bellhousing spotless, upper and lower front and rear control arms done, and when I get the chassis apart, the frame is next. Tomorrow I will be picking up the epoxy primer and the Rage filler for the frame inperfections at my local body supplier. It seems to be getting to be fun again. I was caught up in the boredom and aggrevation getting to this point, not to mention the high cost of buying everything. The next major milestone is to have the chassis blown clean, primed and top coated and engine sitting on the chassis, I hope by labor day.
:hurray::beers:
Roland in NY

Roland sounds like you have passed the same major milestones that many of us had to overcome.....time, space and money :D. Many projects have been shelved while we adjusted to life's demands and were able to start to enjoy the work again. Glad to hear you are making progress, how about some progress photos.

I use Black Beauty on big parts with a siphon blaster outside the shop. It does a great job preparing the metal for paint; smaller items that fit in the cabinet get bead blasted with medium grit beads.

Here is a photo of the subframe from the Nova project, blasted with BB and painted with POR 15. It was under coated when new and that stuff was a real PIA to remove.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/64elcamino/77%20Nova%20project/front%20end/subframeinstall2.jpg

I sent my frame out... I wanted to do it, but the cost/benefit was not beneficial. For $200 it was well worth it. :D

I sent my frame out... I wanted to do it, but the cost/benefit was not beneficial. For $200 it was well worth it. :D

x2, but I do want to get a cabinet.

Phil, it looks great, I hope to be there by end of summer. I was originally going to send it out and have it blasted, but the guy near me wanted $400.00 for the frame only, no control arms, rear end, etc., etc. For about $750 -$800 I now have a bead blast cabinet, compressor, sandblast tank. and handheld sandblaster. Alot was given, rebuilt and whatever else I had to do to save a buck, but it's all there and when I am done with it on my 70 rust bucket, it'll be my son's for whatever he wants to do with it. I am 59 and slowing down a little. But I am trying for a perfect 70 when I am done.

Thanks,

Roland in NY

x2, but I do want to get a cabinet.

I built mine up from the TP tools kit and it has worked great for everything from small parts to larger pieces.

Phil, it looks great, I hope to be there by end of summer. I was originally going to send it out and have it blasted, but the guy near me wanted $400.00 for the frame only, no control arms, rear end, etc., etc. For about $750 -$800 I now have a bead blast cabinet, compressor, sandblast tank. and handheld sandblaster. Alot was given, rebuilt and whatever else I had to do to save a buck, but it's all there and when I am done with it on my 70 rust bucket, it'll be my son's for whatever he wants to do with it. I am 59 and slowing down a little. But I am trying for a perfect 70 when I am done.

Thanks,

Roland in NY

You know the deal, having your own blasting equipment allows you to do a lot of rework until you get it right, paint it and blast it off.:D

Seriously though, if you want that 70 on the money, you are most definitely on the right track.:thumbsup:

Rob, thanks you are the ultimate pro at doing this.

Jason, I bought the cheapo $200 blast cabinet from Summitt that they had on sale about 6 months ago. It needed a bit of tuning but it works great except that the lighting is not sufficient. I am going to install a 150 watt explosion proof fixute in there soon.
I am eager to get the chassis apart to start on it. Looking to get a spring compressor right now.

Roland in NY

Heres a thread Roland I got in on a while back, you might not need it but it has some good info. http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251131&highlight=napa+spring+compressor


Rob

Rob, how long would you say, black beauty abrasive media should last? I used my present load in my machine for blasing about 4 hours / about 5 coffee can full and it doesn't seem to be working as it was. I am thinking about changing out what's in my blast booth and put in new. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Roland in NY

Rob, how long would you say, black beauty abrasive media should last? I used my present load in my machine for blasing about 4 hours / about 5 coffee can full and it doesn't seem to be working as it was. I am thinking about changing out what's in my blast booth and put in new. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Roland in NY

Its more in likely history, mine would be for sure.

I found the more air pressure you have at the blast tip the longer it can be used but each time it does less cleaning. I used to sweep mine up, screen it and reuse but it didn't work good the second time around. For the low cost I just use it once and let it blow away with the wind.

The glass beads in my cabinet only last a short time and I preclean most parts beforee bead blasting.

interesting, I would have thought the BB would have lasted longer. OK then I have to empty out the cabinet and refresh with new stuff. After tonight's storms I may go out and do sonme cleaning. Thanks.
Roland in NY

Old dog learned from young pup today. My son told me I did not have enough BB in the hopper. I added 4 more coffee cans full and it blasts clean agasin........you never know.

Roland in NY