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I'm going to buy a sand blaster to start blasting signs. I will mostly be doing HDU but some wood. Does anyone have any information on a decent entry level blaster that will do the trick.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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We have a 7.5 HP 2 stage 80 gallon compressor (220v Single Phase) Husky from HomeDepot. I think it was around $1400. We have a 90 lb. Tip Tools pressure pot and it was around $475 I believe. Together they work pretty decent but big signs are still a pain in the butt. And the sand will choke ya to death if you don't get a air fed hood to wear another $1200 or so. I don't have one and I don't feel safe blasting anymore.
Our last sign was 10' x 2' and it took nearly all day to blast. A lot of the problem was the compressor was working so hard it was staying real damp and even with a moisture trap by the compressor and just before the pressure pot it was getting the sand wet and clogging up.
So we decided we were losing money on these big signs and are subbing them out now but we still make decent money on the smaller ones.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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One more item that you will probably need Rob is a grainframe. About 90% of the stuff we blast is HDU with wood grain. I don't know much about "entry level" equiptment but this I do know, inexpensive is not always the best way to go. The places that you can skimp on money would be IMHO on the pot. Ours is a 250 lb presurized pot. The place you don't want to skimp on is on your air supply. Make sure that you get one that can keep up. Consant presure is a must!! Also a positive presure hood is a must. You might also do a search on the board as this has been addressed before. Good luck and have fun. Feel free to email me or call me at the shop if you have more questions. 1-800-322-5111
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Robert.....I"m the market for blaster also..... If you find something out let me know. Some one that i talked to lately spoke about a 'used' blasting equipment dealer in NH. It was a firm related to the grave stone business. thanks, Bob'T'
-------------------- Bob Timmerman Sunshine Sign Co. Dryden, NY Posts: 70 | From: Dryden, New York | Registered: Nov 2001
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No need to go "balls out" on equipment in the beginning, it would be a shame to spend a ton on equipment only to learn you don't enjoy doing the work!
Start small, it'll help you afford the safety gear and other neccessary equipment, plus have cashflow to pick up some materials.. then if/when that turns out to be a good ROI, you can always upgrade!
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I have been planning to buy a blasting set up for a while now. I had been going to a buddy's shop, 50 miles away, bearing gifts/food in exchange for using his set up. The last time I went out there his big compressor broke down. Its a tow-behind, gas powered, 100 cfm system. I had to rent a system in order to get the work out on schedule. I can rent the whole set-up for $150/day, I don't have to worry about maintaining this stuff (I don't even pretend to be a mechanic) What I will buy is the full face mask breather and a 80 gallon/8hp compressor for normal shop work. A 100cfm system will move an incredible amount of HDU, no sweat. As I sell, I try to gang a couple of jobs together, to help offset the cost of rental that I have built into the bid. No maintanance headaches, just sign work.
-------------------- Bill Dirkes Cornhole Art LLC Bellevue, Ky. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. Posts: 591 | From: Bellevue,Ky. US | Registered: Aug 1999
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Rob, If you want inexpensive, Sears Sells a blaster for about $90.00, it doesnt hold but about 50# of sand at a time. but if your just trying to get a feel for it, then maybe this is the stepping stone you need???? I have used mine a few times, not so good on a large project but for the small things that I have tried it on its OK. as for the compressor, i must agree, dont skimp. If you buy the right size compressor today, you wont be thinking about buying another one tomorrow, when you realize the one you bought today is severely overworked or worse yet undersized for the demands you place upon it.
Good luck!
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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We have a 600lb. industrial pot, a 40 gallon moisture trap & rent an trailer type industrial compressor once a month. Blasting is already a pain, anything less would be lame as hell. No hood?
Silicosis is a slow & agonizing death.
-------------------- Glenn S. Harris
....back in the sign trade full time. Posts: 293 | From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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I have an after cooler on my compressor Rob. Its a lil radiator in the feed line from the pump to the tank.cost was about $100..install easy It cools the air so you dont get the condensation. And there is an automatic drain in the unit as well when the pump finishes a cycle...there is a switch that operates a drain....you can vary the drain time by adjusting Moisture can be a big nuicance when blasting for long periods..plugs the tip I saw an 80 gallon tank one time...the guy sold the unit after many years...they drained the tank of water..figured there was over 50 gallons of water in it TIP makes some pretty nice blasters... shop for a heavy duty nozzle...and invest in a carbide tip...the ceramics dont last too long. and ...yes....take care of your health. I hire most of my blasting now...I swap work with a contractor. He has a big 150 CFM pump...and can blast a 4 x 8 2 sides....a good 1/2 deep ..in about 1/2 hour.. he uses black beauty...cuts fast..he works outdoors...in shorts believe it or not!!!!! Hay..its HIS skin... You probably know it.....but sandblasting is filthy work...specially on a hot sweaty summer day..so make sure to get paid accordingly...
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