How to choose a sandblaster for home use

The modern market for building materials and power tools is represented by a huge selection of samples that differ not only in price, but also in their functionality. Most equipment is divided into industrial and household options. Today’s article will be devoted to answering the question “how to choose a sandblasting machine for your home.” I will try to tell you what capabilities such a device has and why it is needed at all. We will look at the main parameters that you need to consider before buying a sandblaster.

Why do you need a sandblaster?

The name of the device itself speaks about its purpose. The sandblasting machine is used to process various surfaces using sand. During operation, it enters the nozzle, from where it flies out under pressure onto the surface being treated. To work with such equipment you will need special sand or other abrasive material.

The sandblasting machine can be used in the following cases:

• for quickly cleaning the surface from dirt;
• if necessary, remove the old layer of paint;
• to remove rust and traces of corrosion;
• during the restoration of old products and giving them a presentable appearance;
• to give glass a matte finish;
• for applying engraving images or drawings.

Before choosing and buying a sandblasting machine, you need to know the main characteristics of this device.

How does he work?

First, a little about how the device works. By design, sandblasting is made of the following components:

• storage receiver;
• air compressor;
• container with abrasive elements;
• spray gun;
• automation and control devices;
• connecting hoses.

Most often, the power and productivity of the device does not depend on the compressor, but on the size of the internal resistance, the maximum pressure and the length of the operating hoses. The principle of operation of the unit depends on the type of sandblasting and may differ slightly, but at the heart of their work is: a compressor that creates air pressure that is pumped into the receiver chamber.

After the appropriate pressure appears, the air flow is supplied to the gun, and soon a vacuum is created, which draws in the abrasive particles and delivers them at high speed to the workpiece.

Sandblaster type

The injection sandblasting machine provides separate supply of abrasive material and air. This reduces the cost of this device, but also reduces performance. The average speed of surface treatment using such equipment is from 1 to 3 square meters per hour. Devices of this type require a fairly powerful compressor, since the air consumption rate is about 1000 liters per minute. Injection options work with light abrasive materials and are used to remove the old layer of paintwork, make glass haze or when aging wooden products.

Pressure sandblasters are more productive devices that are used to perform a large volume of work. The abrasive and air enter in one sleeve. The equipment is used to treat reinforced concrete and metal surfaces from rust, various layers and old paint.

Criterias of choice

When choosing the ideal compressor model, it is important to take into account a number of basic criteria. Thus, the buyer will be able to find the ideal equipment on sale that will suit him in all respects

• Power level. Select equipment whose power ratings will cope with the work you have planned. Please note that for a weak compressor, many procedures may be difficult and take too long. However, when looking for “spare” equipment for your garage, you don’t have to spend money on an overly powerful option.
• Dimensions, mobility. Modern sandblasters are made to be quite bulky, portable or even hand-held. Decide for what purpose you are purchasing the equipment, and whether you will often have to move it from place to place. If you need portable and lightweight equipment, it is advisable to look for more compact and lightweight specimens.
• Specifications. Be sure to study all the technical characteristics of the device you plan to buy. Understand what type of sandblasting is and what conditions it is designed for. This must be taken into account, because dental and jewelry laboratories require their own models, and auto repair shops require their own.
• Brand. It is recommended to buy only branded sandblasting equipment. Well-known manufacturers produce truly high-quality, efficient and safe units, which are covered by a guarantee.
• Device status. Before payment, it is recommended to carefully inspect the equipment for loose parts, missing spare parts and other possible damage. If the condition of the equipment raises even the slightest suspicion, it is better not to purchase it. Look for other equipment or go to another retail outlet.

Capacity

One of the main parameters when choosing a sandblasting machine is its capacity. It must be of such a volume as to ensure continuous and stable operation. Therefore, this factor must be taken into account individually, depending on the planned tasks. The diameter of the sandblasting nozzle affects the speed of the job performed, as well as the volume of air and abrasive required per hour. A nozzle with a diameter of 12 mm will allow you to clean the surface from rust 4 times faster than a 6 mm nozzle. But it is worth considering that the amount of abrasive and air consumed will also be greater. The compressor must have the necessary power to provide the nozzle with the required amount of air and have a kind of reserve that compensates for the wear of the latter.

Based on power, the following categories of sandblasting machines can be distinguished:

• low power – 20-40 liters;
• average power – 50-150 liters;
• devices with high productivity - from 200 liters;
• samples of production and industrial scale - about 900 liters or more.

For home use, it will be relevant to purchase models of medium and low power.

How to choose a Chameleon model

The main selection criteria are considered to be:

• Light scattering (best indicator – 1).
• Optical class (the best option is class 1).
• Angular dependence. Depends on the degree of darkness. 1st class – 1 DIN, 2nd class – 2 DIN, 3rd class – 3 DIN. The measurement angle is 15 degrees.
• Homogeneity (uniformity of glass darkening). The middle part is completely darkened at 13 - 16 DIN.

Which product is better to buy? With indicators 1/1/1/2

To avoid mistakes when choosing, you need to pay attention to the following nuances:

1. Case material, shape and weight.
2. Type of welding.
3. The company is a manufacturer. It is advisable to give preference to proven global brands with a positive reputation. It is imperative that the manufacturer provides a quality guarantee for its products.
4. Possibility of manual adjustment of lightening. For home use, it is better to opt for an automatic screen dimming system.
5. Viewing window parameters. Ease of use directly depends on the width of the window. The main disadvantage of the devices is the excessive fragility of the filter.

Mistakes should not be made when choosing a “Chameleon” mask. The safety of work and the health of the foreman depend on this.

Among the variety of popular models, it is worth paying special attention to products with a diagnostic function and the ability to view information via a monitor. They are considered the best

Stationary and mobile

Sandblasting machines are available both mobile and stationary. Many manufacturers equip devices with additional wheels for possible movement. This is quite convenient, since this option eliminates the need to install an overly long sleeve and allows you not to lose performance. Such equipment is most relevant at construction and any other sites where it is necessary to process various surfaces in several places remote from each other.

Stationary sandblasting machines do not require any movement. In most cases, they are used in conjunction with a special chamber where the product is placed. Its dimensions can vary from a small box with glass to a separate room. The advantage of such chambers is the ability to reuse the abrasive after cleaning it from rust or paint.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of sandblasting machines of this type include the following.

1. Variety of price ranges for pistols. You can purchase simple budget economy class models, or you can choose expensive guns used for decorating glass surfaces and matting mirrors.
2. Small tool sizes. Sandblasters come in different sizes and shapes. You can choose designs whose small size allows you to carry out surface cleaning work in hard-to-reach places and confined spaces.
3. Simplicity of design. You can assemble these pistols yourself at home.
4. Easy to use. Sandblasting is easy to operate. It comes into motion thanks to the control panel or when you press the trigger.
5. Sandblasting models can be assembled yourself.
6. Savings on the cost of cleaning and surface preparation for finishing carried out using traditional methods.
7. Saving time and labor costs. Removing peeling plaster or floor varnish from walls is much faster when using a sandblasting gun than doing manual cleaning work.

There are not many disadvantages to using sandblasting equipment. It can be noted that all pistols have the following disadvantages .

1. They have a fairly short service life. At the same time, it will be lowest for budget devices, compared to the service life of more expensive models.
2. The devices are distinguished by a fairly high level of noise produced during operation. When performing surface treatment with sandblasting, be sure to use a protective suit, helmet and goggles so as not to cause harm to health.
3. The formation of a huge amount of dust, the clouds of which can cause significant harm to the health of nearby people. In addition, dust settles on surfaces and objects located close to where the gun is used.
4. By taking all necessary precautions, you can reduce the level of adverse health effects. By removing or covering objects with a special film, you can protect them from exposure to dust and reduce the time spent on subsequent cleaning after sandblasting.

Shutter types for adjustment

Sandblasters in most cases have shut-off valves or gates, which come in two types. Gate valves are used when using light abrasive materials. For example, sand, nickel slag or Cooper slag. These valves are inexpensive, but will not be suitable if you use heavy metal abrasive materials.

Valve valves – used in combination with heavy abrasive fillers. They allow precise dosing and very precise regulation of the amount of abrasive for cleaning. You can use either cast iron or crushed shot, or granite chips with a diameter of up to 4 mm.

Usage

When purchasing an abrasive mixture in a store, no preliminary preparation of the material is required. But in some enterprises and for domestic purposes river sand is often used. The abrasive is available to anyone and does not force you to think about consumption. But in order to achieve high-quality and safe cleaning, you need to perform preparation steps.

To achieve uniformity, the sand must be sifted. It is better to use a sieve for this. The mesh is selected based on the sand fraction. Many people use mosquito or construction netting, tulle - it all depends on the diameter of the particles. It is better to sift the material 3 times.

River sand contains quartz. Industrial sectors use special dust suppression equipment. There are no such means in everyday life. Therefore, to avoid sand particles entering the lungs, the worker must carefully protect the respiratory tract, and it is also necessary to protect the eyes.

Comparison of electrocorundum and quartz sand for abrasive in the video below.

Additional features

• Most sandblasters are equipped with a remote control. This function allows you to perform an emergency shutdown or reduce the power of the device.
• Devices that require work in a special chamber are equipped with durable glass and a device for placing the product in it.
• Some devices come complete with a compressor. These models allow you not to waste time selecting the right unit.
• The cost of sandblasting machines varies quite a lot. You can view the prices and approximate range at this link https://www.220-volt.ru/peskostrujnye-apparaty.

Types of sandblasting

Such devices can be divided into several types according to their functional features.

1. Tank . In their design they are similar to ordinary spray guns. The tank of such devices is filled not with paint, but with fine-grained sand. Guns of this design are quite heavy due to the weight of the sand container. Similar models of sandblasting guns are used in auto repair shops to clean bodywork and other surfaces of cars.
2. Hose . They have two hoses in their design. One of them is used to supply compressed air, and the second to supply an abrasive substance. Such devices are suitable for work in construction, as well as for frosting glass using the industrial method.
3. Chamber . Such guns are designed for all kinds of processing of small surfaces of glass, ceramic or metal products placed in a special insulated sandblasting container - chamber. Its dimensions are determined by the shape and parameters of such devices.
4. Tubeless . The remaining sandblasting guns are open-type devices that do not have a chamber.

Bottom line

I hope my article today was useful and understandable to you. Now you know what characteristics you need to consider before buying a sandblaster. The determining factor should be the future scope of its future use and the required performance. Of course, you can assemble a sandblasting machine with your own hands. One of my future articles will be devoted to this topic.

If you are not yet familiar with my colleague’s article: “Grounding: which wire should be used in it ,” then you can read it at this link .

Write in the comments whether you would like to buy a sandblasting machine for home use or not.

Rules of application

When hydrosandblasting operates, the pump draws liquid from the reservoir. Connecting it to the water supply is prohibited. This inevitably results in a hydraulic shock that destroys the entire water supply system. You also need to ensure that there is a stable flow of pressure-compensating air. In box-type chambers, although small parts are processed, they are processed in fairly large batches.

In this case, operators monitor the progress of work through a control glass. When working using the open method, you can turn on hydrosandblasting only when using special suits, special shoes and safety glasses.

Waterjet treatment is carried out using:

• glass beads;
• regular and quartz sand;
• aluminum oxide;
• soft blasting.

It is strictly forbidden to direct the water jet at yourself and other workers, as well as at foreign objects other than the workpiece being processed. The composition of the working fluid is selected according to the problem being solved. To reduce the corrosiveness of water, sulfonic compounds are used. The optimal amount of abrasive suspension in the liquid is selected experimentally, but in most cases it ranges from 20 to 30%.

It is necessary to carefully select the processing mode. By varying the proportions of the components in the suspension, it is possible to carry out rough cleaning, fine grinding, and preparation for painting.

​​​ Before starting work, you must carefully check the serviceability of all equipment, the tightness of the hoses and the accuracy of their connections. The first thing to do is start up at idle speed to make sure the equipment is working properly. Only the next step can be the full processing of the parts or surfaces themselves.