Why is my sandblaster having flow problems?
Another reason why your sandblaster is having flow problems can be due to problem with your hose. If you are facing such problem make sure that your hose does not get bend while using it as it may restrict your sandblasting media flow.
What is a sandblaster used for?
Sandblasters are use to clean metal, glass, woods and plastics. Sandblasters operate on a pressure system or a siphon system. The troubleshooting process is similar regardless of the type of system. The input to a sandblaster is high-pressure air from a compressor, and an abrasive such as silicon carbide.
What should you not do when using a sandblaster?
Do not look into a sandblaster nozzle while the air compressor is connected to the system. Wear a respirator while troubleshooting a sandblaster when it is outside the cabinet.
Why is my pressure blaster not blasting hard?
In the case of a pressure blaster, the mixing valve on the pressure tank may be defective or obstructing the abrasive feed. Inspect the area you are blasting. If you appear to have adequate air and abrasive material, but are getting a reduced blasting effect, change your nozzle.
Why is my sandblaster not picking up sand?
If your blast gun is not drawing any abrasive, turn off the compressed air supply. Remove the nozzle from the blast gun, inspecting the passageway for any obstructions.
What PSI should I run my sandblaster at?
You should use a tank with a minimum of 100 PSI for optimum efficiency with any abrasive sandblasting project. If you work with a lower PSI, you'll add a significant amount of time to your project. If you reduce your blasting pressure by half, your pressure cleaning project will take four times as long.
Why does my sandblaster surge?
If you have media flow through the gun, but have intermittent surging (when the media hose fills right up and gradually empties out), or the gun just does not seem to throw enough bead or grit, you need to adjust the vent opening on your pickup tube to balance the mix and produce an even flow.
Why does my sandblaster not work?
Possible Cause: Too Much Air Too much air is another possible cause. Higher pressure does not equal better blasting. Adjust the pressure in the system between 70-90 PSI and adjust as needed up or down to achieve desired results. Too much air can cause the siphon process inside the sandblast gun to improperly operate.
How big of an air compressor do I need to run a sandblaster?
An air compressor which produces between 10CFM – 20 CFM is ideal for smaller sandblasting tasks. While a compressor which produces between 18CFM to 35 CFM is better for larger jobs where a more powerful experience is needed. While an industrial type of sandblasting needs a CFM of 50 – 100.
How do you build a sandblaster pressure?
0:042:06Homemade Pressure Sandblaster - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's basically a propane tank and then other supplies you can get from hardware stores here's aMoreIt's basically a propane tank and then other supplies you can get from hardware stores here's a diagram I created just to kind of show you the parts of a pressure pot sandblaster.
How do you adjust a sand blaster?
1:112:45How to Adjust the Abrasive Lever - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou'll want to start with the outlet pipe about a half inch above the locked. Position and adjustMoreYou'll want to start with the outlet pipe about a half inch above the locked. Position and adjust from there start at the lowest. Position like this. And come up about a half-inch.
How do you improve sand blast cabinets?
0:436:413 Must have Modifications for your harbor freight sand / media blasting ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I was able to retrofit an oil cooler on there with a water collector separator. And it does aMoreAnd I was able to retrofit an oil cooler on there with a water collector separator. And it does a fantastic job prior to this once it would start spitting water inside my cabinet.
How does a siphon feed sandblaster work?
A siphon blaster works by using a suction gun to pull blast media through a hose, and deliver that media to a blast nozzle, where it is then propelled at great speed into the cabinet. Siphon blast equipment is easier to set up, but it takes more blasting pressure to achieve maximum abrasive impact.
How do you keep moisture out of a sandblaster?
While it's impossible to completely rid the air of moisture, there are products available that can remove moisture from your setup. Dehumidifying the air helps to keep the level of moisture 5 degrees above the dew point to prevent condensation and flash rust.
How does a sandblaster work?
A sandblasting gun, usually a two-handed model, is connected to the port at the top of the canister by means of a specialized hose that can withstand the abrading affects of the sand. When the trigger of the gun is pulled, both the air and sand are forced out as a single entity.
What is a bead blaster?
A bead blaster propels bead shaped abrasive media from an air powered tool toward a surface. Typically the surface has rust, paint, or other undesirable debris on it. The bead blaster then removes the material leaving a cleaner surface. This prepared surface can then be painted or finished in some other manner.
How to Fix Sandblaster Flow Problems?
The Siphon sandblasters come with pressure-blast cabinets, over which the abrasive air and media undergo compression within the pressure pot. They are then expelled through the hose with the help of a blast nozzle. With frequent use of the sandblaster, the equipment accumulates hard sand over the nozzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moisture makes the blasting sand wet, resulting in the abrasive flow experiences a disruption. For that reason, you are bound to use more media than usual to achieve the desired flow. But this should not be the case, and troubleshooting is essential for the purpose.
Conclusion
So, if you own a sandblaster and are aware of its mechanism, it is evident that you understand the troubleshooting procedures as well. In fact, some of the common issues that the sandblaster owners face are mentioned in this guide and the solutions to deal with them. So, check them out and carry on with the procedure.
Why drain water trap when sandblasting?
You should drain the water trap every time you use the compressor in blasting to prevent rust. This is one of the most important maintenance items for sandblasting cabinets. Excessive moisture in the air and abrasive lines can be the root cause of many problems with abrasive flow in sandblasters.
What is clogging the line on a blast gun?
Particles may be clogging the line. If your blast gun is not drawing any abrasive, turn off the compressed air supply. Remove the nozzle from the blast gun, inspecting the passageway for any obstructions. Usually, particles like burrs, paint chips, rust fragments, decals or other particles are clogging the line at either the gun or the other end ...
Why does my air compressor have abrasive flow?
If you have too much moisture in your air or abrasive lines, this can cause abrasive flow issues. This is most commonly caused by having an air compressor that is slightly undersized for the blast cabinet volume.
What is a dry blast cabinet?
The most common type of dry blast cabinet is a siphon blast (aka suction blast) cabinet. This type of blast cabinet has a line for compressed air, and a line that siphons abrasive media to the blasting gun. Here, the compressed air and abrasive mix together, and are expelled through the blast nozzle. Siphon blast cabinets differ from pressure blast ...
What is the number to call for a blast cabinet?
If you are experiencing problems, or have a general question about abrasive blasting, contact us here, or call us at (916) 409-2458. Posted in Blasting Cabinets by Raptor Blaster. Last updated: July 20th, 2019.
Why is the blast cabinet cooler than the air from the supply line?
The blast cabinet is cooler than the air from the supply line because the dust collector blower is circulating air, cooling the inside of the cabinet. The warm air from the supply line is usually the source of condensation. If you are blasting continually, and the air compressor has no time to cool down, the condensation may cause jamming in ...
How to get a fresh blast nozzle?
If your blasting gun seems to be lacking the force it did in the past, it may be time to get a fresh blast nozzle. Drain the water trap (air filter) on your air compressor. Water traps remove already condensed water in the air compressor line.
What is a sandblaster?
Sandblasters are use to clean metal, glass, woods and plastics. Sandblasters operate on a pressure system or a siphon system. The troubleshooting process is similar regardless of the type of system. The input to a sandblaster is high-pressure air from a compressor, and an abrasive such as silicon carbide. Output is a mixture of the air and abrasive.
Where is the drain on a sandblaster?
The drain is located at the bottom of the tank. Use a small crescent wrench to remove the drain. Nothing creates more problems for sandblasting than moisture in the air lines or in the abrasive. Do your troubleshooting in an orderly fashion and maintain a maintenance log which should be kept with the equipment.
What is output in sandblasting?
Output is a mixture of the air and abrasive. There are very few pieces to malfunction in a sandblasting system. Aside from obvious things such as no compressed air, the majority of your problems will deal with moisture in the lines or tanks, and/or valve adjustments.
Is my sandblaster working?
If you can, your sandblaster is working. Unexpected changes like this are not unusual. Clogged abrasive lines will often free themselves if they are moved or bumped. If you can feel the air but are not getting abrasive though the gun, you either have an empty abrasive tank or plugged up feed lines.