small sandblaster advice

[schiker]

I am pondering getting a sandblaster (small one $100-$300 max) to clean up the rims on my old '72 tractor. I have a flat and last time the rim was so rusty it cut the intertube several times inflating the tire. Shop had to line the rim with duct tape to work.

I was thinking of cleaning it and repainting it. Then other small clean up jobs busting rust on attachments and repainting as needed. I have just a small home air compressor 115V so low CFM.

Anyone ever used a pressure washer sandblaster wand attachment? I have an electric 1800 psi ~2 gpm pressure washer.

How much difference is there between a name brand like ALC and the Northern Tool house brand. Price is $100 difference or more.

I have used cabinet blasters at previous employers (glass bead) but not sure how much media I used. What is a good size unit for a homeowner?

 

[ak diesel driver]

You can use the really cheap siphon style sandblaster but the key to any sandblasting is the aircompressor.

 

[schiker]

Yeah, I think I understand that I will be limited by CFM of air compressor and moisture is a problem with clumping media (the 2 big issues).

I have a filter/moisture seperator but not a dryer or absorbent filter. Think that will be enough?

Do the siphon feed really feed ok in a home / infrequent type set (low budget set up). When not being used I figure empty and cover up. Store media in a tote wrapped in a heavy trash bags tied shut.

There was a guy down the street that seemed to have a side business sandblasting and he did not seem to have that fancy of set up. I think a few tires I do myself would pay for a my investment for what he charged me to sandblast the center/hub of my rear wheels.

I figure to sand some and not blast off everything but more clean up and get the nooks and crannies etc of irregular and curved parts with blaster.

 

[deejaaa]

the biggest problem with my siphon set-up is mess. hard to reclaim/filter used media. i have a small 100# compressor, it cycled a lot but kept up. i have another 10 gallon tank plumbed in. a cabinet is nice for a lot of reasons, filter media, less mess. but not as portable and uses a little more room. for small jobs, go to harbor freight. there are some cheap ones, cabinets or siphon. if you want an investment to use for years, get a good one and pay for it. it will last and yon can blast enough to have a side business.

 

[deejaaa]

............... moisture is a problem with clumping media (the 2 big issues).

I have a filter/moisture seperator but not a dryer or absorbent filter. Think that will be enough?

Do the siphon feed really feed ok in a home / infrequent type set (low budget set up). .................

i had a problem with clumping, all i had was a filter. driers are the best way to go and if you do a lot, cleaning the head will get on your nerves.

 

[bison]

On badly rusted rims like that(i had a few) i just used a wire wheel on the angle grinder to clean them off before painting,cheap and effective.
Works just as good as sand blasting me thinks.

 

[schiker]

On badly rusted rims like that(i had a few) i just used a wire wheel on the angle grinder to clean them off before painting,cheap and effective.
Works just as good as sand blasting me thinks.

Good call. Thanks for the suggestion. I bought a twisted wire wheel for my 4.5" electric angle/side grinder. ~$15 and pretty quick. Not spotless bare metal everywhere but heavy rust and rust bubbled paint gone. I should be able to clean up and scuff nooks a little more by hand with scotchbrite pad then some sandpaper tommorrow or over weekend if I get time. A couple coats of primer should help even out and smooth it up enough.

 

[Koots]

It'll take lots of elbow grease but doing it with a wire wheel and wire brushes is the simplest and cheapest way.

I used to have to do this a lot working at Canadian Tire in Newfoundland (Rust with a capital R) because the rust would be so bad that the bead wouldn't seat. Copious amounts of bead sealer helped as well but isn't necessary with a tube tire LOL.