Do-it-yourself sandblasting: how to assemble a useful tool from scrap materials

Dear site visitors "Homemade friend“From the material presented you will learn how to make a simple sandblasting machine yourself from a blow gun and a plastic bottle with your own hands. Sandblasting is intended for cleaning metal surfaces from rust by supplying an air jet. In this case, the simplest and most budgetary sandblasting machine, for which you will need a standard blow gun and a plastic bottle with a volume of 1-1.5 liters.

First, you need to prepare the bottle and remove the strip from the neck (cut it with a knife), then drill a hole directly in the place where the strip was, the diameter of the drill used should be identical to the diameter of the nozzle of the blow gun (can be a little smaller so that the nozzle fits tightly into the plastic hole) In the nozzle Using a pistol, a file is used to cut a hole so that when inserted into the neck of a plastic bottle, the hole is in the center.

Operating principle: Fill the bottle with sand, insert a blow gun , and connect to the compressor. The sand, under its own weight, will fall down, namely into the nozzle where it is picked up by the pressure of compressed air and supplied to the outlet. Everything is quite simple and clear.

Let's look at what exactly is needed to assemble a sandblaster.

Materials

1. blow gun
2. plastic bottle 1-1.5 l
3. reinforced hose
4. compressor
5. sand

Tools

Step-by-step instructions for creating a sandblasting machine with your own hands.

And so, to assemble the sandblasting machine we will need: a plastic bottle, a blow gun, a drill according to the diameter of the gun nozzle.

We cut off a strip on the neck of the bottle located under the cork.

A hole is drilled in the place where the strip was.

We try on the nozzle by inserting it into the drilled hole. Using a marker, mark the place for cutting the technological opening in the gun nozzle. We sharpen it with a file.

Insert the nozzle into the hole. This is what happens.

We seal the joints and secure them with hot glue. We pour sand into the bottle, connect to the compressor and begin work on cleaning the tool from rust.

Attention! It is necessary to follow safety precautions and have the simplest PPE (personal protective equipment) - a respirator, gloves, safety glasses or a visor.

As you can see, sandblasting can be done independently and quite inexpensively. Its power is certainly not great, but it is quite suitable for cleaning rusty surfaces and paint. You can also use the presented sandblasting machine to engrave on glass, metal, and plastic.

We hope the material was useful to you. Thank you for your attention.

If you are engaged in repair and restoration work or own a small auto repair shop, then you cannot do without a sandblasting gun for your compressor. The variety of models in most cases allows you to make a completely informed choice, simultaneously increasing the scope of application of the existing compressor installation.

Classification and application

The main purpose of a sandblasting gun is to pre-clean the car body of stubborn contaminants that cannot be removed by chemical methods. However, the device is also suitable for effectively cleaning any metal surfaces before painting, patination or anodizing.

A sandblasting gun for a compressor uses the injection phenomenon, when a pressure difference is artificially created in the flow supplied from the compressor through a compressed air reducer. Thanks to this, the speed and, accordingly, the kinetic energy of the flow automatically increases. If the air along the way is “weighted” with some fine abrasive material (sand, slag or corundum), then the cleaning efficiency will further increase.

The method of discharging the sandblasting mixture may be different. For example, if you have a powerful compressor with a significant flow rate (from 600...800 l/min), you can use the injection of the mixture through a gun. Ejector sandblasting guns operate on this principle. However, they are less common because they are characterized by increased energy consumption per unit of cleaned area.

In turn, sandblasting injection guns are in many cases more effective than sandblasting chambers: they are bulky and require special care during operation, while the gun only needs to be blown out after each use and periodically inspected at the seal points.

How to use?

After you have chosen and purchased a sandblasting gun model that is suitable for you, you should familiarize yourself with the rules and principles of its use. For example, you need to learn how to refuel the unit correctly.

In general, the process of using the device will vary depending on the specific model. In this regard, before use, be sure to read the operating instructions from the manufacturer - this document is included in the standard package along with the device. Be sure to follow all recommendations and advice from the manufacturer.

However, in addition to the specialized recommendations contained in the operating instructions for a specific model, there are more universal rules:

• It is recommended to carry out surface treatment work in a closed space;
• in order to facilitate cleaning, it is recommended to cover the floor with oilcloth;
• It is imperative to provide high-quality lighting so that processing is as efficient and effective as possible;
• There should be no unnecessary objects in the room, as they can complicate the process.

Working principle of a sandblasting gun

Typical design elements of an injection type device are:

1. Body with handle.
2. Nozzle.
3. Fitting for compressed air supply (in some designs an additional control valve is installed on the fitting).
4. An internal air nozzle with an injection profile in the form of a truncated cone, the diameter of which narrows along the air flow.
5. A control sleeve that provides adjustment of the current abrasive flow rate.
6. A union nut or pin for attaching the internal nozzle to the body, which eliminates possible leaks of the cleaning mixture.
7. Threaded bushing for connecting a tank or other container containing abrasive.

Some designs have a separate abrasive mixture dispensing unit, which is attached to the gun instead of a threaded bushing.

A sandblasting gun for an injection-type compressor functions like this. A nozzle for a sandblasting machine is mounted on the body, the diameter of which must be strictly selected with the pressure developed at the outlet of the compressor and with the diameter of the internal (air nozzle). A tank or hose is attached to the handle. Since abrasive dust easily penetrates into the lungs, the operator must work in a respirator. After this, the compressor is turned on, and the air flow pressure is adjusted using the control sleeve. To do this, you can use the following practical relationships:

• For nozzle diameters of 6 and 2 mm, respectively, the air flow should be in the range of 0.2...0.3 m 3 /min;
• For 8 and 3 mm – 0.3…0.6 m 3 /min;
• For 10 and 4 mm – 0.6…1.2 m 3 /min;
• For 12 and 6 mm – 0.9…1.8 m 3 /min.

Lower flow rates correspond to lower compressed air pressures (and smaller distances from the outlet end of the nozzle along the surface being processed).

The duration of work and the intensity of supply of the abrasive-air mixture are established experimentally depending on the adhesion strength of foreign particles to the base metal and the quality of the surface pre-treatment: it must be cleaned of dust and easily removable contaminants.

During the cleaning process, the gun is positioned at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the surface: in this case, the removal of contaminant particles will be most effective.

Sanding under high pressure allows you to quickly and effectively clean surfaces of dirt. For this purpose, a special device is used - sandblasting, which is used both in auto repair shops and at home. The main problem with this cleaning method is the high cost of equipment and components. If you have free time and a desire to save money, you can try to assemble the device yourself. To create a sandblasting machine with your own hands, you need a powerful compressor; the remaining parts are assembled from scrap materials and elements that can easily be found in the nearest hardware store. The work also requires studying the drawings and strictly following the instructions below.

Design and operating principle of sandblasting

A sandblasting machine is a special device designed to remove rust and corrosion from metal and concrete surfaces. Structurally, the unit consists of the following parts:

• containers for abrasive material;
• a compressor that pumps air under pressure;
• nozzles made of high-strength material through which abrasive is supplied;
• thick rubber hoses connecting parts of the structure.

The operating principle of the device is simple. When the unit is turned on, the compressor supplies air under pressure directly into a container with abrasive or into a special chamber. The mixture passes through the hose to the nozzle of the sandblaster and flows out through the tip with a powerful jet. Upon contact with the surface being treated, rust or old paintwork is quickly removed.

Sandblasting machines can be domestic, up to 20 liters, and industrial, from 100 liters or more

Attention! Sand is most often used as an abrasive for sandblasting machines, but it can also be electrocorundum, metal shot or ceramic chips.

Main components of sandblasting machine

Homemade sandblasting is assembled on the basis of standard schemes, differing in the method of supplying sand to the contaminated part. Despite the existing design differences, the components for both options are the same:

• compressor - a device for pumping air mass;
• a receiver necessary to create the necessary air supply;
• abrasive tank;
• gun - the main device designed to supply an abrasive mixture to the surface to be cleaned;
• hoses.

In order to increase the duration of continuous operation and maintain the supply pressure, it is recommended to equip the sandblaster with a moisture separator. When using a plunger compressor, an oil filter system should be installed on the air intake duct.

The device, regardless of the assembly scheme, forms a combined output flow of air and abrasive. When assembled according to a pressure circuit, sand under the influence of pressure enters the outlet pipe, in which it is mixed with the air supplied from the compressor. To form a vacuum in the abrasive supply channel in ejector devices, the Bernoulli effect is used. Sand is fed into the mixing zone under the influence of only atmospheric pressure.

The existence of many options for sandblasting manufacturing schemes is explained by the possibility of creating it from materials at hand, which often seem unnecessary. To understand the essence of the process, it is enough to consider the general principles of assembly.

Types of guns for sandblasting

Each tool has its own technical parameters. The purpose and properties are determined by the manufacturer of sandblasting guns. There are several types of tools:

• Gun with a tank for abrasive mixture.
• Tool with hose outlet.

A sandblasting gun with a tank is used for frequent, short-term use. The main area of ​​application is car service stations where it is necessary to clean the metal from dirt and rust. In production, barrel models have successfully proven themselves in the processing of dishes and souvenirs. Also, the tool removes scale from metal products. The volume of the gun tank is not large; it requires frequent filling with the mixture during large-scale production.

Sandblasting gun with reservoir (left) and hose outlet (right)

Hose gun models are used for large jobs. The mixture of air and abrasive composition occurs in the body of the sandblasting gun. The hose outlet can be lowered into a container of the required size to perform at a fast pace. A gun with a hose is portable; it is easy to treat hard-to-reach places where you can’t reach with a tank.

Assembling a sandblaster from a gas cylinder

The simplest design for self-assembly is a homemade pressure-type sandblaster from a gas cylinder. The following elements will be required:

• ball valves – 2 pcs.;
• gas cylinder;
• a piece of pipe from which a funnel is made for filling the chamber with sand;
• tees – 2 pcs.;
• hoses with a passage of 14 and 10 mm, respectively, used to transfer air from the compressor and remove the mixture;
• clamps for attaching sleeves;
• fum tape intended for sealing threaded connections of apparatus parts.

In order to assemble the sandblaster, you must perform the steps in the following order:

1. Preparing the tank. Remove all contents from the container, clean the inside surface using non-abrasive detergents and wait until it dries.
2. Making holes in the cylinder. The top one will be used to fill in sand - its size should correspond to the diameter of the selected pipe. The bottom hole is for connecting a tap.
3. Crane installation. The regulator can be tightly welded or screwed through an adapter pipe.
4. A tee and a mixing block are installed behind the tap. Fum tape is used to seal the threaded connection.
5. A tap is mounted on the cylinder valve, behind which a tee is installed.

At the final stage, you should take care of the mobility of the device - weld wheels or handles for moving. To increase resistance to do-it-yourself sandblasting, supports from corners, pieces of reinforcement, and tubes are welded.

Then the elements are connected to create channels for supplying and discharging the mixture:

• fittings are placed on the tee located below and the balloon valve;
• a sleeve with a 14 mm passage for air flow is placed between the mixing block and the tee;
• an injection unit is connected to the unoccupied branch of the tee with a fitting;
• a hose for the finished mixture is connected to the remaining outlet of the lower tee.

To ensure tightness, a screw cap should be installed on the pipe for filling the cylinder with sand.

Option for a sandblaster made from a fire extinguisher

The circuit diagram of a fire extinguisher apparatus is similar to a device assembled with your own hands from a cylinder.

To seal the top of the fire extinguisher on turning equipment, a plug should be made in advance. A sealing rubber ring is put on it, and the part is screwed into the upper neck of the fire-fighting device. The existing hole is intended for filling sand.

At the next stage of manufacturing the sandblasting machine, holes are drilled with your own hands: on the body near the top and in the bottom. The places are pre-cleaned of factory paint, and welded into the holes according to the welding strip. Legs are welded to the bottom of the fire extinguisher, for the manufacture of which you can use a round rod or fittings.

Sandblasting technique

Sandblasting is used in various areas of industry. The devices can perform the following operations:

1. Applying inscriptions on metal, wood, plastic.
2. Cleaning metal surfaces from dirt, scale, rust.
3. Frosting of glass.
4. Cleaning walls to make their surface rough.
5. Cleaning of car parts, industrial equipment, metal structures.

To process work surfaces differently, you need to select the appropriate abrasive material:

1. Quartz sand effectively removes dirt, decorative coatings, and rust.
2. Steel shot changes the surface structure of workpieces.
3. Corundum is considered an expensive universal material. It is used for various tasks.

When working with sand blasters, you must adhere to a number of rules:

1. Check the reliability of the connection of the air supply hoses and abrasive before turning on the compressor. Pressure loss must not be allowed.
2. Check the integrity of the hoses, nozzles, gun, sand container.
3. Fill the abrasive before each use.
4. Do not allow the compressor to overheat. Give the equipment a rest.

We must not forget about the use of protective equipment. Fine dust entering the body can cause a number of incurable diseases.

Guns for sandblasting machines make the work of the master easier, making it more convenient, more productive, and of better quality. An additional unit allows you to regulate the supply of air and working mixture in order to clean parts faster. If you can’t buy a device, you can assemble it yourself.

A sandblasting gun is a very useful and necessary device that can be used in various industries. Using this device, you can clean and degrease metal parts, as well as matte oil.

How to make a machine from a pressure washer

You can also use a Karcher sink or a similar unit of another brand as a compressor for sandblasting. The device, whose original purpose is to wash cars, is capable of creating high water pressure with low water consumption. The task comes down to modernizing efficient, dust-free equipment. For Karcher you only need to make a special attachment for the outlet pipe.

The following materials will be required:

• ceramic nozzle, purchased in a store or made by yourself;
• reinforced hose;
• mixing unit (tee with a nozzle of suitable diameter);
• cylindrical dispenser, supply control unit;
• a tube for collecting abrasive with an air supply channel into a sealed tank.

The sandblasting installation from a high-pressure washer operates according to an ejector scheme. The injected liquid, passing through the mixing block at high speed, forms a vacuum in the sand supply channel. It enters the cleaning zone along with water under high pressure.

Design features

The sandblasting nozzle on the outgoing hose allows the master to regulate the supply of abrasive to the working surface and direct it to the right places. To understand how a sandblasting gun works, you need to understand its design features. The device consists of several elements:

1. A channel through which abrasive material passes under the influence of air pressure.
2. A nozzle through which abrasive particles will fly out of the device, hitting the material being processed.
3. Handle with switch. It can be made of plastic, metal, or coated with a layer of rubber for better grip.
4. Regulators for air and abrasive supply.

The most important element of this design is the nozzle. It is important to be careful about the material used to make the nozzle. If it is thin metal or plastic, the nozzle will fly apart from the impacts of the abrasive after a short period of use. The best nozzles are those made of tungsten or ceramic.

Upgrading a blow gun to sandblasting

Sandblasting, made from a blow gun, is small in size. The performance and efficiency of the device depends on the power of the compressor used.

To create a mini sandblasting machine you will need the following materials:

• blow gun;
• tee;
• ball valve designed to regulate the supply of abrasive;
• outlet nozzle with clamping nut.

You can use a small fire extinguisher or a regular PET bottle as an abrasive tank.

What tools and materials will be needed

The set of materials and tools for a sandblasting machine depends on what available means the device will be made from. To construct a unit based on a blow gun, you will need to prepare:

• plastic bottle 1-1.5 l;
• a compressor designed for a pressure of about 5 bar;
• blow gun;
• reinforced hose;
• glue gun;
• drill;
• file;
• sharp knife;
• marker for marking.

If you make a sandblasting machine based on a compressor and a conventional sprayer, the list of tools and materials will be slightly different. You will need to take:

• glue gun;
• plastic bottle 0.5 l;
• compressor with low power ratings;
• drill;
• inexpensive sprayer;
• Teflon tape;
• file;
• coupling for transition from external to internal thread;
• knife.

In all cases, when creating a home apparatus for removing corrosion, it is also necessary to prepare an abrasive material in advance. For homemade devices, sand is usually used.

Manufacturing method from a spray gun

Sandblasting can also be done using a spray gun. For assembly you need to prepare:

• a gun that functions as a mixing valve;
• handle with air supply device;
• a plastic bottle that acts as a tank for abrasive;
• tee;
• ball valve for regulating sand supply.

Using an airbrush instead of a spray gun will allow you to apply abrasive at higher pressure due to the smaller thickness of the outlet channel.

Assembly is performed in the following sequence:

1. The gun is bored to increase the diameter of the output nozzle.
2. The mixing tee is attached to the gun.
3. The supply and circulation hoses are installed and attached.

The abrasive is released after the trigger is pressed. The volume of a small plastic bottle is enough to clean surfaces for 30 minutes.

What else can a nozzle and gun be made from?

Making your own sandblasting gun is not difficult. For assembly, you can use a nozzle for a regular ball valve located at the end of the hose for discharging the air-sand mixture. The nozzle is a nut that clamps the outlet nozzle for the abrasive.

The nozzle, in turn, can be made on a lathe. But it is more rational to use a spark plug. The worn-out part is cut with a grinder, while the durable ceramic rod is separated from the metal parts of the structure, and its length is adjusted.

The process of cutting a candle requires appropriate skills. In addition, when cutting, a large amount of dust is generated, and a not very pleasant smell appears. If you don’t have a separate room and the skills to work with an angle grinder, it’s easier to purchase a suitable nozzle in a store.

DIY designs are often more effective than pistols, a wide range of which are commercially available. Therefore, if you have free time, it is wise to spend it on implementing your technical solution, and spend the saved money on other, no less important goals.

Making sandblasting yourself allows you to reduce the cost of purchasing a serially assembled machine by 3–5 times. Maximum savings can be achieved by using a homemade compressor, but it is very difficult to achieve sufficient power. The best option is do-it-yourself sandblasting in combination with a powerful factory compressor.

What happened to you? What did you use to build your own sandblasting machine? Did everything go smoothly or did you encounter any difficulties during the production process? Please share your experience in the comments.

Advantages and disadvantages

The sandblasting gun has a number of strengths and weaknesses. Advantages:

1. Ability to clean various surfaces.
2. In addition to cleaning, you can create an unusual decorative structure of the material.
3. Thanks to its small size, it is convenient to work in hard-to-reach places.
4. The simple design allows you to assemble it yourself after studying the finished drawing.
5. Wide range of choice in construction stores.
6. Increasing the productivity of the technological process, saving time.

1. Short service life. Large abrasive particles quickly damage the structural elements of the unit.
2. High noise level emitted when cleaning workpieces.
3. To make the device last longer, you need to install expensive nozzles.

After each cleaning, it is necessary to sweep away any dust that settles on the equipment.