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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default Sand Blast Cabinet Upgrades

    I purchased one of those red imported sand blast cabinets from a friend who was a bit dissolutioned by its effectiveness.
    Its been sitting around for a while, so I decided now was a good time to take a closer look at it.

    All shop equipment is not always used often and in the case of a sand blast cabinet it probably falls into such a category.
    However if a piece equipment does perform well whne called upon then it will probably get used more often also.
    My intention with this sand blast cabinet was to imprve it where possible to make it something that was going to do what is required of it every once in a while.

    So, I watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to improve my HF sand blasting cabinet.

    There is a bunch of small upgrade ideas offered by guys just like us, that they seem to think will much improve the sand blasting capability of these cabinets.

    It all seems quite logical and most items are really easy to do, so in line with the majority of ideas,
    I
    plan for now is to add castor wheels as it seems a good idea for mobility, but also the unit seems a little too low in height for us westerners, so by adding wheels in my case should help to add a little extra height, so my elbows are better placed when in the glove sleeves.

    Mostly, these upgrades only seem to require my time and a few cheap parts, so I feel like taking it on.

    It became obvious, I needed to watch several videos to help me form an opinion as to which upgrades were beneficial and worth doing.

    So off into the sand blasting wilderness I go.

    plan for now is to add castor wheels as it seems a good idea to make it mobile, but also the unit seems a little too low in height for us westerners, so by adding wheels it helps to add a little extra height, so your elbows are better placed when in the glove sleeves.


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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default

    I will add a shop vacuum hook up to the rear of the cabinet in an existing vent port and seal the top end of the associated duct inside the cabinet.
    Part of these upgrades is to incorporate the changes into the existing situation of cut outs and openings etc without reinventing everything.

    My castor wheel installation will incorporate a shelf for my vacuum cleaner to sit upon and for starters, I will use a small home style vacuum and see how it performs.

    It seems some guys get very involved with a big shop vacuum units and one of those Dust General capture units.
    They are available here, but prices are high and I figure not worth the trouble, unless I prove that the simple home vacuum cleaner does not perform for me and then I may look at going big time...
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Keep an eye on Gumtree or you local Facebook BS&S for a dusty, have seen them here for around $50 or so. Similar to this.
    Dusty.jpg
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    You will find you will go through bags or filters if your workshop vacuum is bag less very quickly if you don’t put a separator on the vacuum line. Dust deputy style ones are available relatively cheaply on eBay. You could also build a cyclone relatively easily and cheaply.
    By far the best upgrade on those cabinets is to change the pickup to a meter valve style.

    Ive rigged mine to use my dust extraction for my wood working tools.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default

    Thanks for your thoughts on the dust capture system.
    The jury is still out but I have no experience with this stuff, so any commnets are welcome.
    If I need one, I'll probably make my own version similar to what I've seen on YouTube, almost zero cost.

    I will however keep a keen eye out for one of those Carbatec units.
    I like good ideas...

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by racingtadpole View Post
    By far the best upgrade on those cabinets is to change the pickup to a meter valve style.

    .
    Hi Can you give more detail ? Thanks

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default

    Here is a better picture of the unit that I have.
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    Same cabinet I have, when you buy them they are essentially just the kit of parts you start out with to make a functional sandblasting setup because out of the box they perform at a less than useful level, as you’ve discovered, they can be made to perform quite well.

    Better lights, a metered draw pipe, reversing the direction of the dust extraction, wheels and a cover for the inside of the door are the common mods. Just the little stuff like attaching a piece of ally or thin ply over the inside of the door so the media doesn’t get trapped in the door recesses and spill out every time you open the door make it way more usable.

    The meter valve is a gravity/suction draw that allows some air into the flow of media to stop the surging you get in standard form.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9N7HvyJNzdE

    If you search Harbor Freight blast cabinet mods there is a big rabbit hole full of things you can do to get them to work better, most of which are low cost small investment of time.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default

    Yes, metering valve is one of the upgrades.
    I've recently done my mod to this part of my cabinet.
    It is more than just metering, it reduces the amount of sand supply to be stored and makes storage in some respects redundant.

    I chose to use a readily available inline control value off the shelf from my hardware store.
    Makes it quick and easy to adjust right at my finger tips.
    If not responsive enough a smaller intake venturi can be added.

    Acquiring a better quality hand piece seems also to be a good idea.
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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
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    194

    Default

    The next thing I have done according to YouTube comments was to put a smooth face on the side opening door.
    The units door has cone impressions formed in it which we are told catch the loose sand and each time the door is openend the sand drops onto the ground/floor.
    No big deal I guess but I could find that to be annoying after a while.

    I just found a piece of scrap sheetmetal, cut it to a rough shape and pop rivetted over the impressions.
    I note some YouTubers just use duct tape.
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  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default

    Next step is to get an hose from my metering unit picture previously upto and inside my cabinet to be connected to the hand piece.

    This hose will deliver sand to the hand piece.
    In addition another hose is required to deliver air to the hand piece.

    From what I have seen most guys just drill a big hole in their chosen location in the cabinet and push the hose thru and surround the hose with a rubber grommet.

    I chose to actually use a mechanical penetration thru the cabinet with brass fittings.
    Not sure if it will be any better or worse but what the heck its done now and I'm out of pocket for a couple of extra brass fittings.

    Sorry about the pic's be om te side.
    Not sure why as in my computer they are the right way up...

    If you do watch any of the related videos, many folks drop their mess work tray down severa inches to achieve a little extra work space.

    For now at least I have chosen not to bother.
    It can be done later if I feel the need.
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  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default

    Another couple of pic's of my hose setup.
    You will note that I put a Tee piece in my air line so I could also have a hand held air gun inside the cabinet to blow dust off my work.

    I am led to believe that this can be a good idea.
    I guess I will know for sure once I get this darn thing upto a stage where I can try it out...
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  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default media

    What are you using planning on using for media , glass beads or garnet ?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2021
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    194

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    What are you using planning on using for media , glass beads or garnet ?

    For now at least I will be using garnett since this cabinet came with quite a large quantity of the stuff.
    Should last me a while I'd say.

    I've never used glass beads before.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    With this setup you made, you can change medium quite quickly and easily. That allows you to use crushed glass to cheaply and very aggressively remove rust and scale; fine garnet to clean metal surfaces, e.g. for welding or just "cleaning"; and glass beads for fine surfaces - 'shinning up', and peening (lower pressure) surfaces so they don't get dirty so easily.
    Lost of experimenting to do! Being able to easily change the media is essential to get good results.
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

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