I bought a small blasting cabinet from TP Tools, a firm back East
in Ohio that specializes in blasting materials. Their web site is
http://www.tptools.com/dg/53_Abrasive-Blast-Cabinets.html?page=1
I bought the model 780-TL top loader for around 300 bucks. I notice
this model is on sale now for $329. It's a good piece of equipment
and invaluable to have. This is the floor model, on legs. It is
large enough for most everything I do. If you want an industrial
strength floor model, you're talking real bucks and a lot of space.
Check how much air they require to make 'em go. You need a lot
of compressed air to make these things go, however. I have two
3-horsepower compressors that run full time when I'm blasting.
As far as blasting material goes, it all depends on what you're
doing. There are dozens of blasting materials: some for fast
heavy-duty rust and scale removal, others that are easy on the base
material but slower.
For a general compromise, I bought a bag of glass beads that I use
for everything. I cleaned up the action parts of my Vorsetzer (wood
hammers and action parts, etc.) very nicely without damaging the wood.
I also used it to clean up the cast iron parts. Check the web site
for available blasting materials and their applications.
Ray Fairfield
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