Harbor Freight Sandblaster HELP

[WinDancer]

I borrowed a canister style sand blaster to do my step fenders [they won't fit in my cabinet]. The blast tip keeps clogging- using fine sand- what are you guys using in yours?
My compressor puts out plenty of pressure- is sand too coarse? It has a very small tip, compared to the gun in my cabinet....
TIA

[dwcsr]

You may need a bigger tip or run a air dryer so the sand won't stick together and clog the tip

[thirdstreettito]

Sand can warp the fenders if you arent a pro. Try soda blasting.

[70GMCer]

There might be moisture in the air line mixing with the sand that's causing that.

[myoldchevytruck]

Originally Posted by 70GMCer

There might be moisture in the air line mixing with the sand that's causing that.

I have a canister type from Harbor Freight and this is the same problem I have. Definetly the moisture in the air line.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

Sand can warp the fenders if you arent a pro. Try soda blasting.

Before anyone gets too excited about soda blasting they might want to read this thread....

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=soda+blasting

LockDoc

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I also have the moisture in the air line problem anyone know how to fix it??? Also you guys with blast cabnets what aire pressure are you running?

[cdowns]

i have 3 water seperaters in my lines going to my blast cabinet do to high humidity and being less than an 1/8of a mile from the ocean
cabinet blast pressure for me varies according to what i'm blasting lowest effective pressure seems to be 50 on aluminum and brass stuffup to wide open i50 on things like rusty steel wheels//i use black beuty i think the name of the stuff in my cabinet


i drink soda


all sand is not the same/// i've found that playground sand sucks for blastind due to trapped moisture content and inconsistant size// i always used bagged silica sand size#00 that is manufactured expressly for blasting and always screen before loading into blaster and have very few if any issues with clogging but i have a pressurized pot which is a far superior way to go compared to the $20 cheapo systems/// never had a warpage problem with sand in the 40+years ive been blasting either

[BlueJeep]

I run 60# of pressure in my cabinet with glass beads, more pressure would be nice for the rustier things, but the media wears out much quicker too. I've recently purchased some rubbermaid containers that are low profile and fit under the hopper. This way I should be able to quickly switch from glass beads to sand if I need to do the crusty stuff.

I agree on the can vs. pressure pot blaster. I gave away my canister and now use the HF 40# pot on everything that won't fit in my 48" cabinet. I've only ever used sand and glass beads for media.

If you feel the blaster is plugging due to moisture, put your finger (with a glove on) over the hole in the gun and force the air back up the feed line to clear it out. I have to do this with the blast cabinet in the summer when it's humid out.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Thanks guys ill have to try between 50 to 100 before I just turned it up as high as it would go figureing more is better.... not always I guess..

[Fastfun]

I have a harbour freight sand blaster and I was having the same problem. I use a sreen to sift the sand before I blast and I do not have a problem anymore. I am also in Arizona so I don't have humidity problem.

[shovelhead]

I had a lot of trouble using the harbor freight sandblaster until I bought a better nozzle (ebay item 170245454986). Using (3) moisture filters and this nozzle solved my problems. Good luck to you!

Shovelhead

[WinDancer]

Good stuff, guys. Thanks!
Where do they carry black beauty? Don't want to pay to have it shipped...
I need a filter in my shop line anyway, guess I have to bite the bullet and get one tomorrow and get it hooked up.
I use silica in my cabinet and leave a light in it turned on year-round.
While I was trying to get the cannister going last night I had to change the quick-connect air fitting and decided to do a couple things:
Put together two male and two female adapters. Then when I use something borrowed I won't need to change any fittings- just use the adapters.
The second thing I am going to do is change the tip on the cannister hose to use one of the quick-change male connectors as a tip for the blaster- reversed- they have them for sale everywhere and they are cheap.
Thanks again for the input.
Dave

[Pont406]

I have a HF blaster and I can't get it to work. I gave up on it. I bought a cheap $18 handheld and it's great. My local HF has black beauty in stock.