Sandblaster recommendations for a small shop?

[trevarthan]

I've been planning to buy a compressor and sandblaster for a while now to help restore my 1971 chevy C10.

I've decided the most I can afford will be a 7.5HP reciprocating type compressor. Either this one new from Amazon/NorthernTool, or else a good quality used one on craigslist for half the price: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ2F97M
I know that won't let me sandblast using large nozzles or sandblast constantly. However, I think it will work well for small parts, and I'll be able to use it on large parts with reduced efficiency. I just don't think I can get by without one. The ability to strip paint from metal and repaint is too important.

Feel free to tell me I'm crazy and why, but that's where I've landed on the compressor for now.

The part I'm still undecided on is the sandblaster itself. NorthernTool has this one for $189, and this seems to be what most people use for light duty use: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ct_17798_17798

However, there is also this vacuum blaster for $500: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5367_200435367

It costs more, so there are fewer reviews and I'm not sure what to think of it. The advantage seems to be that you get to recycle your media and make less of a mess, which seems like a really awesome advantage. The disadvantage is that it costs a bit more and it doesn't seem to cut as quickly.

At the moment, I'm thinking the ability to recycle media outweighs (and pays for the price of the blaster) the slower cutting speed.

Any thoughts on this from experienced users? I've never used either type before, so I have no practical baseline.

[trevarthan]

I've been planning to buy a compressor and sandblaster for a while now to help restore my 1971 chevy C10.

I've decided the most I can afford will be a 7.5HP reciprocating type compressor. Either this one new from Amazon/NorthernTool, or else a good quality used one on craigslist for half the price: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ2F97M
I know that won't let me sandblast using large nozzles or sandblast constantly. However, I think it will work well for small parts, and I'll be able to use it on large parts with reduced efficiency. I just don't think I can get by without one. The ability to strip paint from metal and repaint is too important.

Feel free to tell me I'm crazy and why, but that's where I've landed on the compressor for now.

The part I'm still undecided on is the sandblaster itself. NorthernTool has this one for $189, and this seems to be what most people use for light duty use: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ct_17798_17798

However, there is also this vacuum blaster for $500: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5367_200435367

It costs more, so there are fewer reviews and I'm not sure what to think of it. The advantage seems to be that you get to recycle your media and make less of a mess, which seems like a really awesome advantage. The disadvantage is that it costs a bit more and it doesn't seem to cut as quickly.

At the moment, I'm thinking the ability to recycle media outweighs (and pays for the price of the blaster) the slower cutting speed.

Any thoughts on this from experienced users? I've never used either type before, so I have no practical baseline.

[cableguy0]

Your compressor link doesn't work but the pot style sandblaster will work fine for just about anything. It might take a little longer but without a commercial setup everything is going to take longer. For home use that style blaster is fine for everything from frames to individual brackets.

[belldar]

I too am very interested in the same thing. Also the best media to use on exterior sheet metal.

Subscribed

[trevarthan]

Here's the compressor link again: http://amzn.com/B00BJ2F97M

By "pot style", I'm guessing you mean the one without the vacuum.

[russgoodman]

Well since you said feel free to call me crazy....I'm going to call you crazy. That Quincy will run everything you will ever need. In fact, it may be a bit overkill. Unless you have a professional shop with multiple guys running stuff off of that compressor, you should be good to go.

I got the 80 gallon Quincy 5hp 2 stage from Northern Tool and I love it. Very painless purchase (besides shelling out $2k).

I run a pot style pressure blaster from eastwood with it and its fine. Also runs my blasting cabinet just fine.

Also make sure to buy the maintainence kit for it and do so each year so you can earn the 5 year warranty (doubt we will ever need it though).

[cableguy0]

That compressor will handle running an auto shop with no issues. Its overkill for home use but will probably outlive you and your tools. If you have the cash go for it. If your killing the budget to buy it you could spend about 1/3 of that and get a real nice compressor.

[54belair]

When I started my truck project-- I already had the compressor--it was a 5 hp, 60 gal. from lowes , had 11 cfm at about 90 psi. I purchsed a small blaster on wheels from harbor freight----I think they called it their 90# model. With the exception of wearing out the handle/nozzle assy pretty quickly, it worked fine. The true key to blasting is CFM. While my 11.2 worked, it really labored the compressor. 13-15 cfm (at your working pressure) would be much better. good luck.

By the way, between the blasting and the painting on this one project--my new compressor (less than 1 yr.) shot craps and I had to end up buying a new one.

[trevarthan]

Originally Posted by russgoodman

That Quincy will run everything you will ever need. In fact, it may be a bit overkill. Unless you have a professional shop with multiple guys running stuff off of that compressor, you should be good to go.

Excellent. That's exactly what I want. Now what about that vacuum blaster? Anyone worked with one? Worth the extra money?

[Flames97]

That sandblasted you posted has the small opening at the top. I'd find one with the larger opening. I've used one like that and when I bought on I made sure I found one with the large opening for the sand. Way better!
Like this one for example. I just pulled this one up. May have to look around for prices
http://www.toolpan.com/ATD-Tools-840...23_a_7cATD8402

[7dee2]

Pretty happy so far with this compressor. My local store had plenty on had and they were not red? Great price under $1200 Cambell Hausfeld makes them.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-80-...z0v7nxZ1z0wob6

[cdowns]

i'd reccomend getting a greeat cabinet as you will b able to use it rain or snow 12months a year

[motornut]

I have a bucket syphon type but it's messy to use so i picked up a small blast cabnet,
bout two years ago.
i barely fit my seat bases in it,doubt a rim would fit,gona try an intake this week.
really I should have gotten bigger! I had to open the lid to turn the bases over...
My old compressor(220)wired would not have a prob keeping up to this but I sold it when I moved to the townhouse.
bought a smaller one,(8gal)and I always need to stop n wait......a pain

[RANGERdan]

I use this cabinet but added an extension so I could do long parts (bumpers, grill , cross sills etc) I hooked up a shop vac to the extension to remove the dust and put the shop vac outside.