Bead Blaster

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dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by dag1450 »

This project is going at a snails pace. Today i finally got it moved into its home in the garage behind the paint booth. I had to buy some expanded wire for the floor. Two final things and i should b ready for a test drive, buy media at tractor supply and get some new tips for the old craftsman gun. I thought for sure the store would have these but no, only on line. Dont get me wrong...i like shopping on line but $10 shipping for 2 little tips the size of a bolt :shock: Im very happy with the homemade glove collars, they r about 3 inches deep and act as good arm rests :lol:
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127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

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dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by dag1450 »

Well im finally done ! I used this last night for the first time. After a few bugs with my pick-up tube and the air intake it is working pretty good. Im using an old gun i had from a small craftsman hopper kit i bought 20 yrs ago so i had to make the pick-up tube that goes down in the media. The media is from Tractor supply $7.00 for 50 lbs, This is the fine stuff and im not sure i like it, it seems to leave the surface really rough and "cut" if u will....i have only ever used play sand which i think leaves a real nice smooth surface. The vacuum water pre filter is great at catching all the dust and media that makes its way in the vac port, nothing in the shop vac at all. Dave
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:beer:
127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

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BigMike
Posts: 1351
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:45 pm
First and Last Name: Mike Andrews
Location: Niles,Michigan

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by BigMike »

Very nice cabinet Dave!
If you think silica sand leaves a smooth surface try some glass bead 8-)

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chzuck
Posts: 362
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:51 pm
First and Last Name: Charlie Zuck
Location: Elizabethtown, PA

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by chzuck »

Very nice job on the build of your blaster!
I use the glass beads most of the time. I only use the Black Diamond for severely rusted items.
http://www.zucksrototillers.com
There is only ONE ROTOTILLER.
147 with 48" mower deck & 42" QA snow thrower
70 with 42" mower deck, 42" blade, & Brinly 10" plow

User avatar
dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by dag1450 »

Thanks guys. I will have to try glass beads. It seems i still might b having trouble with my pick up tube as the volume media is less than i think it should be. If its not too much trouble could u show your siphon pick-ups, or just tell me what it is and how it works ? Thanks Dave
127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

User avatar
dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by dag1450 »

Thank you to Charlie for sending me specs on a pick-up tube. I think i will just modify the 1/2 inch copper one i have made. I will post the new one for all to see. :beer:
127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

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ExDodge
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:41 pm
First and Last Name: Daniel Gibson
Location: Warminster, PA

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by ExDodge »

Dag, that cabinet looks superb! I am sure that it will serve you well for all of your future projects! Keep up the good work.

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dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by dag1450 »

Charlie sent me two kinds of blast cabinet pick-up tube designs, one being a simple tube and the other being an elaborate "underground pipe system.....i went with the easier because i was really half way there with my original pick-up. I think i was fighting two things on my lac of media volume, 1st being my crude tube and the 2nd being a small tip in the gun. The new tube works great, copper was very easy to work with and on the shelf. The new tip is ceramic and about a 5mm hole size, the old tip is a metal of some-sort and is worn but measures about 8mm and really throws the media. I may have to make a new tip to get the volume i want because this seems to be the only size craftsman has.
my first pick-up tube
my first pick-up tube
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old and new tips
old and new tips
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127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

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chzuck
Posts: 362
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:51 pm
First and Last Name: Charlie Zuck
Location: Elizabethtown, PA

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by chzuck »

TP Tools has gun sizes based on the cfm of your compressor. To be efficient, the gun should be matched to the cfm output of the compressor.
http://www.zucksrototillers.com
There is only ONE ROTOTILLER.
147 with 48" mower deck & 42" QA snow thrower
70 with 42" mower deck, 42" blade, & Brinly 10" plow

User avatar
dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by dag1450 »

Just an update to the cabinet. Getting ready for zinc plating i have loads of nuts and bolts to blast. Found a piece of wire lath used for stucco, lined the floor and made a quick basket
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127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

JMotuzick
Moderator
Posts: 1172
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 6:22 pm
First and Last Name: Joe Motuzick
Location: Torrington Ct

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by JMotuzick »

A French fry basket works Great!

User avatar
dag1450
Posts: 2356
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:16 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Gibson
Location: Chalfont, Pa

Re: Bead Blaster

Post by dag1450 »

My Craftsman gun worked grt for yrs....till i ordered new tips. The new ones r ceramic as in pics before, they r awful! Too small dia(mayb 4-5mm) to let any materiel though. I was ready to give up on the gun as no other tips are made for it.......till i got creative. For like $7 i found a piece of 3/8" or 9mm stainless pipe with an id much larger than the ceramic junk. New id is about 7mm, this does not leave much for wear but hey....its stainless right. lol I cut it to length, used the rubber and washer from others and went to town. Did half of one rim in under ten minutes, that paint was thick inside by the hub. No wear yet on the tip that i could see. I will try to time how long that this will last before replacement is needed. The volume of media is perfect! I should b able to net about 6 or 7 tips for $7 bucks :D
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127, 1650, 1572, 1872, 2072 . A mower, blower and blade for each.

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