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Author
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Topic: Sand Blast Cabinet Tear Off Shields
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skips69
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Catlin, IL USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-10-2003 02:23 PM
   
I have a large floor model blast cabinet that has a 12"x24" viewing window. I am currently buying the replaceable tear-offs through a well known supplier (that supports this site). The price for the tear-off's is not bad, but the very high shipping and handling is. I am curious as to where some of you guy's purchase your tear off's, or if you cover your glass by other means that I haven't considered. I can buy very thin plexiglass locally, but by the time I am done cutting it by hand, duct taping it in place, it seems like the tear off's are a better deal........Just wondering if I can save some money here. The tips keep my wallet open as well, they just don't last long enough....................
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-10-2003 02:32 PM
It's funny, but my cabinet doesn't seem to use up the tearoff sheets. I'm still using the same one after three years, although it really needs to be changed right now.I bet you can get them much cheaper than Eastwoods. Have you checked Harbor Freight? ------------------
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skips69
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Catlin, IL USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-10-2003 05:49 PM
You haven't changed one in that long of time? What abrasive are you using, and how often does it get used? I am using Silica sand, and every 3-4 hours of continous use, I need a new tear-off. It gets to hard to see after much longer than that. I use a vacuum also, and that does help quite a bit. I go through inner and outer jets about every 15-20 hours of use I would guess. On those, I have tried the more expensive ceramic style, but they did not last any longer, so I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Harbor freight is a great idea, I had forgotten about them. Any other suggestions from anyone? Thanks for the harbor freight suggestion Steve, I will let you know if it saves some money.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-10-2003 06:10 PM
I use it about 10 times a year, I think, about 3-4 hours at a shot. Mine came with the ceramic nozzles and I'm still on the first one. I use black beauty, which is welding slag. That's probably the difference. I adapted my shop vac to it, too. It's just about impossible to use it without that.One thing I learned last summer that works awesome is I did some blasting at night and shut off the shop lights and just used the cabinet light. It increased the visibility 1000%. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Please remember our sponsors,
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skips69
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Catlin, IL USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-10-2003 09:34 PM
You are absolutely right about the lights. With them down, it makes seeing inside the cabinet so much better. I have heard of black beauty, I'll have to check on it's availability locally. The only reason why I use the silica is because at $6.00 for a 100# bag, it is pretty cheap. Always wear a respirator though, I am sure it sifts through somewhere. What modifications were needed for the shop vac out of curiosity? May be something to look into if I can find the black beauty around here.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-11-2003 08:29 AM
I duct taped a small funnel attachment to the air exhaust port so I can hook the shop vac to the cabinet. Without it, the unit blows dust out of every crevace.Black beauty is about the same price as what you pay for the silica. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Please remember our sponsors,
Mustangs Plus, NPD, Osborn Reproductions, MyFordPerformance.com, and FordRamAir.com
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skips69
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Catlin, IL USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-11-2003 09:06 AM
Oh, I see, so no modifactions to the actual shop vac itself. I have the accomodations already in place on my cabinet and have the shop vac plummed in already. I ran some some extra flexible hose through a slightly raised window in the garage (placed a small section of plywood in the 4" opening and cut out a hole for this). Now I have the vacuum outside about 20' away from the sand blaster. This makes it so much quieter, with the air compressor moved to an outside location as well (and in the cover of a shed). I will look for the black beauty today, it must be less dustier for sure. I am on the hunt for the lenses still. Checked your suggestion and a few more, found cabinets, but the internet sites don't necessarily show lenses. I have some new catalogs ordered now, so we'll see what I can turn up.
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Jim B
Journeyman Posts: 10
From: Chicago
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-02-2003 07:29 PM
I have a blast cabinet too and I have converted the window so that I don't have to use the stick on replaceable sheets. I made a frame out of aluminum, but wood would work. I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit the frame and then install a sheet of shrink fit clear plastic to a strip of double face tape around the edge of the frame. The shrink to fit plastic is the stuff you buy to make temporary storm windown. It costs about $5-8 and you get enough to make 12-20 sheets for the view window. All you need to do after placing the plastic over the double faced tape is to heat it with a heat gun or wave a torch flame over it until it shrinks up to a smooth tight surface.
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skips69
Gearhead Posts: 290
From: Catlin, IL USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-10-2003 08:48 PM
Now, that's a new idea, but I am afraid with the frequent amount I use mine I'd be changing them too frequently due to how thin they are. I did end up taking Steve's idea and changing out the silica for the black beauty. I have been monitoring it for a little while, and the black beauty is the way to go overall. My only complaint is that it doesn't do as good of a job on the thicker stuff like hood hinges, door hinges - basically anything with some thickness to it. And, the other appealing thing about silica is the finish it leaves is better for parts that get clearcoated - more of a matte' finish, and less shiny like the black beauty leaves part's. But, my tear-off's are lasting much more longer, and I found the black beauty here locally for nearly the same price as the silica. I have been permanantly converted. Thanks for the tips everyone!
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