harbor freight media blaster

[popeye46]

Good morning,  this might sound like a crazy question but has anyone used one of the 20# pressurized blasters from harbor freight?  We purchased one for my grandsons 64 beetle project and we can't get it to work right.  I think I might have done something wrong but I don't know what.  I can get a lot of air when it is empty but very little comes out when we try using it with sand.  I have a 60 gal. single stage compressor.  Any help woul be appreciated as we would like to blast the entire car. Thanx....Mike

[VDub63 ( Steven )]

If the media is wet / damp, it will clog it up quickly.

[gokart]

I recommend running your sand through a screen to take out the big pieces.

[popeye46]

thanx for the replies and the sand is bone dry and and did run it thru a filter still comes out real slow and doesn't take off anything, it is driving me nuts been on line and can't find anyone else that has this problem.......5 hp 60 gal compressor ..... used to run a cheap siphon sears unit with a lot smaller compressor, wouldn't strip paint but worked fine on rusty parts.

[Gerb]

Is there a sand/air mixing valve on the bottom of the tank? If this valve is mostly closed is could keep the sand from getting through. Try putting it in the middle and trying it again.

[Ruffuss]

I would also not blast long, curved or flat panels (warp from the heat) just about anything on a VW. When I restored Ruffuss I warped the doors and hood so bad they had to be replaced. Better to use stripper and lightly and quickly clean up with the blaster. IMHO! Doesn't help with your problem JFYI.
I have a blaster similar to the one you bought works well, you can borrow if need be

[popeye46]

Great information, wanted to blast both of our project cars but now I am not sure wouldn't want to warp any panels. Great site, thanx for all the help and have a great day.........luv bugs

[Ruffuss]

If your set on blasting use soda or media(walnut shucks, corn cobs, plastic media, etc.)Far less abrasive on thin panels where the worst warping would happen. It's the sand that causes heat and heat is what causes warping. If you've ever sand blasted a part you'll know what I'm talking about heat. That being said there is a place in Plainwell that will blast soda, media or sand by the hour, you can also rent their equipment, their booth(room) and do it your self by the hour. They'll show you how and the rest is up to you.

[popeye46]

Thanx ruffuss I felt like a old putz so went out and played with it some more and guess what My old way of thinking sucks. I always thought that open a little bit is good open it alot and it would be even better, well couldn't have been more wrong......now with the valve on the bottom open half way and the air control valve open about 3/4 I am now able to remove paint from the fenders.....going to locate the place you mentioned and see what the cost is thanx again for all the help I can see this is going to be a very helpful site during our builds.....thanx again and have a nice day.....Mike

[popeye46]

would you know the name of the place in plainwell looked it up and there are a bunch

[bren]

WWW.consolidatedstripping.com

[dubfreak1]

It is Consolidated Stripping & Derusting. Check them out here:

www.consolidatedstripping.com/

I've been there a couple of times and plan to make another trip sometime this winter.

[Deleted]

www.consolidatedstripping.com this is the place