DIY Blasting Cabinet

[studda]

Go ahead, make fun of it if you like but hey, it was EXTREMELY cheap to make. I bought a plastic tote, cut two holes in the side of it and taped bread bags in the holes so sand wouldn't come out and wear gloves so it doesn't sting my hands. I cut a hole in the lid and taped a piece of Plexiglas over it so I could see in. I cut a hole in the side to run the air hoses and voila, I have a blasting cabinet. I just dump the sand back into the sand hopper when it starts getting low (I use pool filter sand because 50lbs for $5). I know it doesn't look pretty but it does its job of keeping sand off my garage floor and out of my face. I had everything laying around so the only expense was the cost of the tote, which was less than $10. I need to get a bigger tote so I can blast bigger parts. I got sloppy with the cutting and cut one hole low and one high

[ETsC10]

I think that's a great idea!

[maxxxy]

I did the same thing with an old enclosed crate, probably 1.5'x1.5'x4' inner dimensions (barely big enough to stick my crossmember in. stuck a piece of plexi in the top and cut out holes for some elbow length gloves i had lying around. I also put put some screen door material around a light bulb to protect it from projectile sand, and stuck it in there.

[kaycee]

Cool I'm making one out of a 55 gal barell I picked up from work need to get me a light for it I'll try and get some pics.Good job on your part as long as it does its job thats what counts.

[studda]

I thought about making one out of an old refrigerator. Or at least a bigger tote. The current setup is kind of awkward with a part that is relatively long.

[SeniorVerde]

I'm thinking of the 55 gal. drum myself; when they're sitting sideways, all the sand collects in the low spot. can't decide on the door though.
Post those shots, Kaycee!

[kaycee]

OK here you go need to get some gloves and should be good to go I cut the 1 end out except for a 6" piece at the bottom ,so I could mount 3/4" plywood on and have the hinges stable,allso bought a coupla 2"soffit vents to install for fresh air.If you dont have these and hook up a shop vac it will create a vacum inside the drum. On the big bung hole (LOL) I put a PVC fitting to hook up shop vac to help keep the dust clear.Not done yet but thats the plan

[kaycee]

Hers the other end

[studda]

That thing looks awesome Kaycee. The shop vac is a great idea too. The dust in mine is terrible and I have to take the lid off every now and then to clear it out just to see. Maybe I'll make one out of a barrel like yours. Are you going to put a grate in there or just hold the part with one hand and blast with the other?

[kaycee]

Thanks ,Yep going to put a grate of some sort in there ,I got the soffit vents for a coupla bucks at Home Depot.I built the stand out of some old crap we had laying around so the drum is not attached to it and you can tilt to your liking.So if you want to stand or sit on a stool you can adjust the barell to that posistion.I siliconed every seam on it and took a piece of vacum tubing and slit it down 1 side to slip over the edge of metal that was left over from removing the end to seal the door.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by studda

...I use pool filter sand ...

Studda, PLEASE read your sand bags and make sure it is NOT silica sand (most pool filtering sand is silica sand).

DO NOT USE SILICA SAND FOR SAND BLASTING as it is a serious carcinogen plus the cause of silicosis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

[Hardesty454]

That barrel blaster is AWESOME. Cant believe I never thought of that...

[studda]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

Studda, PLEASE read your sand bags and make sure it is NOT silica sand (most pool filtering sand is silica sand).

DO NOT USE SILICA SAND FOR SAND BLASTING as it is a serious carcinogen plus the cause of silicosis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

Good to know. I don't recall exactly what kind it is as I threw the bag away. I'll change it out though just to be on the safe side. Good looking out.

[68anthony]

Great idea using a drum for a blast cabinet. I might have to use this for my shop.

[maxxxy]

That barrel is a great idea! How do you retrieve the sand to reuse it?

[kaycee]

Used it to blast a little fender bracket the other day ,works like a champ still in the mock up stage but couldn't wait .I am going to make a hopper to catch the media,and weld it to the bottom of barrel.Going to try and make the hopper like a regular blast cabinet,may even make it out of wood.I just have the pickup tube laying in the bottom for now ,this way it will hold about 5" of media on the bottom.Need to get it so a guy can re- screen the media and make it last(I'm a cheap bast#$).Should be able to work on it this week some more,I got some metal road signs from work I'll try and fab something up when the boss isn't looking.Got the gloves and a little floresent light to put in it this weekend. I have about $45 into it now

[studda]

That's a heck of a blast cabinet for $45. You're putting my $10 cheepo to shame. My brother works at a chemical plant. I'll have him get me a free 55 gallon drum and do likewise.