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Harbor Freight Blasting Cabinet Review

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jeremy0711 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jeremy0711 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Harbor Freight Blasting Cabinet Review
    Posted: Apr/14/2011 at 9:38am
you could blast your aluminum with baking soda.

I have my cabinet hooked up to a Delta dust vac for a wood shop. I bought a slide valve for control the suction. I rewired the lights and use outdoor house lighting inside it that has heavy duty glass shelding. I also use old house window panes and cut them down for the window instead of plastic. I have plenty of pvc leads to each side of the garage with regulators and moisture traps to each hose reel. I am also using an 80 gallon Quincy comprssor. I could use a new gun as the tips suck to find. I have been using old metal line fittings from old projects as tips and they work great and last just as long and would cost less too.    
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Johnny Javelin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/14/2011 at 8:50am
One thing to remember when blasting Aluminum wheels, if you plan on polishing any of the surfaces afterwards,DO NOT Blast them! I cleaned some wheels the same way then took them to a Machine shop that specializes in metal polishing and the Guy there advised me not to do that because the surface gets too distorted and cannot be polished correctly. As usual I had to learn the hard way, so I thought I would pass it along so someone else dosen't have to 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nali Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/14/2011 at 12:00am
I use an extractor made from a dyer fan . It works great , so I can see quite clearly the job I do .

It s all made of junk parts , but it works :P




No more car :)
Maybe a 1965 Ambassador Coupé someday .. If I can find a cheap one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote heyjavelin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2011 at 3:56pm
I have been using a HF cabinet in the shop for three years and it has held up well.  On my third light bulb and have gone thru about 50 tear-offs.  When the cabinet was new I had a number of leak problems then I hooked up a shop vac to the air outlet on the right side of the cabinet and I put an automotive air filter over the inlet port on the back (cover by a 4" plastic plug).  This has stopped all the leaks and made it much easier to see when blasting.  After about an hour of use I dump the blast media from the shop vac back into the blaster and keep on shooting. 
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amundaza View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote amundaza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2010 at 9:23pm
Originally posted by RamblinMan RamblinMan wrote:

Yeah, that's what I did.
 
Glad you gave it a try and it worked out for you!  Blast away, Mr. Sand Blaster!
Sincerely,

Greg Taylor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RamblinMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2010 at 9:14pm
Yeah, that's what I did. Thought it was too high, but I could lift it just enough. Built a skid with wheels to get it around back of the shed. This thing is rated at 21 CFM @ 100 PSI and it's built like a freakin tank! SWEET!
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amundaza View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote amundaza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2010 at 9:03pm
Originally posted by RamblinMan RamblinMan wrote:

 
The thing weighs 530# and I'm still tring to figure out how to get it outa my pickup.
 
Do you have an engine hoist cherry picker?  You could use that!
Sincerely,

Greg Taylor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RamblinMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/13/2010 at 1:37pm
I have the HF blasting cabinet. I cut an opening in the top, used a piece of plexi to cover it (screws and silicone) and put a full width light on top. I tried it with my 33 gallon Craftsman oil-less compressor (a headache generator) and it was good for about 20 seconds before the compressor kicked in again. I just picked up a 30 yr old Kellog-American 5hp 80 gallon two stage horizontal compressor for $300. It can work up to 175# of pressure. I can now blast all day!
 
The thing weighs 530# and I'm still tring to figure out how to get it outa my pickup.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nightmistwalker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/12/2010 at 10:21pm
working in the industry for over 30 years most of the shops i ran usually ran a big 10 horse compressers which were what i would call free run which means they only kick the compresser part one when alot of air is being drawn and most time are just free spinning,,doing alot of blasting or d/a sanding creates the most air draw and chance for moisture build up,,most shops switched to the new high pressure pvc pipe due to it does not heat up by air traveling thru it like the old brass or cast iron would do,,always run moisture traps before your tools if you would like your tools to last any length of time. on this big compressers i always suggested to the shop owners that we install dryers to route the air thru to help eliminate any heat and moisture from the lines which is the most effective way to maintain shop levels of air use,,but these are rather expensive and for backyard garages not really neccasary for the part time body man..lol
trying to build a pro touring 1971 Hornet
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote amundaza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/02/2010 at 3:16pm

Just fired up the new compressor.  0 - 140 PSI in 3:13 ... way faster than the old CH compressor (probably 8-10 minutes).  It is also WAY QUIETER than the CH compressor ... probably 15 decibles or so.  I set it on a HD rubber anti-fatigue mat, which is working well.

 


 

Sincerely,

Greg Taylor
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