Rat repair.

[cst204x4]

I know how you feel sleeping in a recliner did that for awhile a year ago when I dislocated both shoulders.it sucks. I was off work for 7 weeks,about went crazy not being able to do anything.

[7dee2]

Great info on blast cabinet mods Mike, your making me want one!

[swamp rat]

Its been a while so a small follow up, I'm getting better but not back to work yet, i started P/T this week tho, going 2 days a week but i'm still wearing a sling to protect my bicep when out and about, Dr says only passive movement, no weight bearing. I have been able to graduate to sleeping in the bed but I'm still lucky to get 4 hours a night in a straight shot, i usually find myself falling asleep in the chair a couple hours here and there to supplement.

Back to the blaster my wife helped me return the counter top unit last weekend and got a refund, low and behold about 4 days later i got a coupon for 25% off a single item on the mail, went back today and picked up the stand alone unit, Of course i had to have the store employee load it for me, got it home and with my good arm and wife's help on the other end its now resting on my work table. The bench unit was $120 without a coupon, this unit was $199-25%= $149. I'm glad i did this.

Going to call Mike at Tacoma company to talk more about upgrades Monday, i know I'll buy a light setup and quick change window and maybe even the upgraded blast nozzle and regulator but still debating if i should at least try the stock setup first. Above all, i know its too early for me to assemble this thing.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

...Going to call Mike at Tacoma company to talk more about upgrades Monday, i know I'll buy a light setup and quick change window and maybe even the upgraded blast nozzle and regulator but still debating if i should at least try the stock setup first. Above all, i know its too early for me to assemble this thing.

Believe it or not, I'm still using the original blast nozzle that came with the HF unit after many years. I've replaced the ceramic insert once or twice, but it's a pretty tough unit. The quick change window would be nice, but it only takes a few extra minutes to zip the screws out and back in. The light, extra plastic shields for the window and upgraded gloves would be my first priority along with a decent dust extractor.

Glad to hear you're recovering from the surgery. Slow but steady and don't give up on the PT. You really need it to end up with a full range of motion. Good luck!!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Believe it or not, I'm still using the original blast nozzle that came with the HF unit after many years. I've replaced the ceramic insert once or twice, but it's a pretty tough unit. The quick change window would be nice, but it only takes a few extra minutes to zip the screws out and back in. The light, extra plastic shields for the window and upgraded gloves would be my first priority along with a decent dust extractor.

Glad to hear you're recovering from the surgery. Slow but steady and don't give up on the PT. You really need it to end up with a full range of motion. Good luck!!

Thanks Vic! Yea my arm is only about a 45 degree angle above my shoulder right now, last week i could barely get to level with the shoulder.

Do you have a better way of buying the shield material?

[NONHOG]

I'm currently in camping mode so I see a big ol' camper on the back of that AD rig.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

...Do you have a better way of buying the shield material?

I've been buying them from TP Tools, but there are cheaper sources like this one. Just be sure the size matches your window. Probably won't be exact, but I just mask the edges with 3/4" masking tape anyway. For example, my viewing area is about 10.75 x 22.75 and the film sheets I use are 10 x 21.5. Close enough for me.

[swamp rat]

Before i forget, This truck has been sitting here with a for sale sign on it for a few months now, the floor and front fenders look to be ok but i think there may be a couple dents above the rear window but overall its pretty straight, no price listed just a phone number, I'm tempted to see what they want for it then go buy a rolling and running S10 chassis to put it on, Or just pull the racks and build better ones.. Only question's i would have is 1) what its worth, and 2) what the hell do i want with yet another project LOL!

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Before i forget, This truck has been sitting here with a for sale sign on it for a few months now, the floor and front fenders look to be ok but i think there may be a couple dents above the rear window but overall its pretty straight, no price listed just a phone number, I'm tempted to see what they want for it then go buy a rolling and running S10 chassis to put it on, Or just pull the racks and build better ones.. Only question's i would have is 1) what its worth, and 2) what the hell do i want with yet another project LOL!

Flatbeds are kool! Thinking I'm the wrong person to give advise on this one.

[webfoot]

I have that same benchtop blaster you took back, and it is crap in its "as-delivered" form! The light worked for about 10 minutes, and I definitely need to get a bulkhead for the dust extraction.

[swamp rat]

Been making some progress, have about 90% of my motion back in the shoulder, still doing PT and dealing with being sore from that too, My Dr appt is next week, I'm hoping to be released back to work with no restriction, we'll see but i am still not officially cleared to do any lifting pushing or pulling with my Bicep..

So the past 3 or so weeks i did what i could with the Blast cabinet being a one armed bandit to slowly using the left arm when possible. The Tacoma Company upgrade kit didn't show up until yesterday and today, they have been back ordered about a month or better, I guess these kits are pretty popular! Here's some progress picks, Naturally when you get a F/F product there is always some damage, just cant seem to get away from it, I was able to flatten the front crease to where you can barely see it then used my flange twister tools to straighten the rest to an acceptable level.

[swamp rat]

Talking to Mike at Tacoma Company and watching the sometimes over informational video's i knew there were a few mods needed to be made, the factory intake port on the back panel needed to become the exit port, reason being blasting with the nozzle in the right hand most of the sand is directed to the left side of the cabinet so this minimizes the amount of dust and sand that will enter the exhaust port, also the top of the inner rear duct is sealed off as it also created a easy path for crap to be sucked out of the cabinet, both the cabinet section and lower hopper are assembled and all the joints are now sealed with Loctite Pro Line S30. The quick change window kit uses Nutcerts because H/F got cheap and isn't welding nuts on the back of the viewing panel, plus the slots do not match the holes in the plastic cover well, the trick is to install the plastic cover on the inside and get as many bolts thru it as possible then scribe around the screw heads to find the proper hole center, then use a small round file to carefully enlarge the holes to fit the nutcerts. At this point the inner screen is cut down to sit about 3" below the top of the hopper, and the new inlet holes are drilled and grommets installed. Note: Blast cabinet is sitting on its back for Nut cert install.

[swamp rat]

Marked and drilled the trap door for the new mixing valve, the hole was a little small so i used a drum sander to open it up a bit for a tight fit, then installed.
The light kit is also installed. I also fabbed a inlet duct using my cheapo H/F break forming tool, its pop riveted in place facing to the front of the cabinet and down at a 45* angle per Tacoma Company's spec creating a cross flow. Nice light bulb huh? The upgrade kit packaging was not harmed in shipping nor was the box the bulbs came in from China, that leaves a Factory defect..... One thing i have come to realize is that the Chinese must be in general a very narrow build physically, the holes for the gloves are about 2-3" narrower than my shoulders, I have a feeling someday i may cut out the front panel and flange the cabinet and make a piece with wider holes for the gloves!, of course that would require a bonding adhesive.

[7dee2]

Good news on the shoulder and nice work on the cabinet.

[BossH0G]

Awesome as usual swamp rat.



"Today's Budweiser is tomorrow's Ford''

[Vic1947]

Mods look great, Mike. You dusting parts with it yet?

[swamp rat]

Yet again i am not getting notifications in my email about posts here, BossHOG and Vic sorry for the delay in replying.

I also called Mike and sent him pictures of the damaged light bulb, he sent me a new one free of charge, wrapped it up and put it in the center of the media i purchased, it made the trip just fine.

In the old 4" inlet hole (which is now the outlet) on back of the cabinet comes with a rubber grommet and a cheap plastic plug, for the old outlet on the side (which is now the inlet) has a different sized hose adapter of roughly 2 1/4", i drilled a 2 1/4" hole in the 4" plug and screwed the outlet adapter to it using double stick tape between them for a good seal, to attach this to the cabinet i decided to install more Nutcerts around the hole and sealed the plug to the cab with foam insulating tape. the connection is a 2 1/4" PVC elbow with a reducer in the vacuum end, both ends had to be heated and resized to fit the vacuum hose and cabinet adapter. In the new inlet a simple piece of sheet metal and a magnet is used for an adjustable air gate.

While waiting for my media to arrive in the mean time i still had the air supply to tackle. I had to add new pipe T and quick disconnect to my air manifold and following with the recommendation from The Tacoma Company i made sure to not any restrictions smaller than 3/8" ID, i found a Flexzilla 1/2X50' hose at Tractor supply on sale for $44 This is a polymer hose that's good for 300# PSI, thinner wall than a Goodyear rubber hose so i think it would fit well on your 3/8" hose real. the ID fittings were 3/8" I took it home and promptly discovered that the ends were made with Aluminum.... Yea i'm used to brass and over tightened and broke one of the ends so i took the hose to the local Hydraulic hose maker and had brass ends put in it, turns out they stock the same hose in bulk if i need more. Heres an Ebay link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Legacy-Flexz...441284&vxp=mtr

I searched around for a small vacuum to use and thru Youtube i heard someone say you didn't need a huge shop vac, so i opted for a sears 5 Gal 5 HP unit that comes with a wall hanging bracket on sale for $100, i chose it because with space being an issue i wanted to be able to fit it within the cabinet footprint, also being a wall mount unit it has 2 hoses which is needed for the extra connection to the home made Cyclone dust separator, the Grey piece is a 90 degree electrical PVC conduit, i carefully cut the hole so it would be a snug fit, cut the inner end then placed 2 screws on the inner end to hold it snug and sealed it with the same tube of Loctite sealant i used on the hopper, on the lid i cut 2 reinforcement circles out of a piece of wafer board i had laying around, added the loctite sealant to each circle and after i glued the coupler to the pipe which sandwiched the wafer board circles i used clamps on the circles and let it set up. All the PVC fittings had to be heated with a Burnz O Matic torch and then shoved over the vacuum hose ends and resized, this process works really well for a good fit. I also made a base to set it on with casters so i can move it as necessary in my very cramped garage footprint. I also cut a thin sheet of aluminum to fit the inner door to cover the molded holes in it, i double sticked it in place and sealed the edges with a few layers of sticky back aluminum tape i have had laying around for many years. One last mod i did was to tale a $7 piece of gutter sponge which is very similar to fuel cell foam and i cut a couple pieces to put in the inlet and exhaust channels to hopefully help with media containment, it seems to help a little but not sure of it was worth the effort.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-remot...1&blockType=G1

The project is finished and i couldn't be happier, I didn't use the stock H/F parts so i have no comparison but it works well and it only requires 5# of media so you use it until it breaks down and then load new stuff. I did a test run with the washer bottle bracket, so far no leaks anywhere. The test showed that my vortex bucket seems to work well.

[7dee2]

Thanks for sharing it looks pretty slick Mike, I really like how it's self contained and movable.

[Vic1947]

Looks great, Mike. I also used a 5 gal Sears vacuum and it works great, maybe too great as I've had to modify the dust separator a few time to cut down on the media loss. Your bucket looks like it should do the trick. You'll be amazed at the stuff you find to blast now that you're set up. You probably already know this since you've done a lot of research, but the #1 mistake people make is putting greasy parts in one of these. It will contaminate the media in a heartbeat. That's why I have my solvent tank right next to the blast cabinet. After degreasing and drying with the air hose, the part goes directly into the cabinet. Happy blasting!

[swamp rat]

Thanks guys, i certainly had enough time to think about how to build this thing while healing from the surgery. Vic if your fighting too much vacuum I have a suggestion which I'm going to try soon, H.F sells a router speed control, on amazon its called a fan speed control, or amazon also has a cheaper lamp dimmer version that may work, i think i have one of these in a drawer somewhere so i'll give it a try.

http://www.harborfreight.com/router-...rol-43060.html

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-TT-300...393JMV3EG&th=1

I have an all clear to return to work with no restriction next Monday, still doing PT trying to get that last bit of movement back (its being stubborn) While i know i need to go back this has kinda gave me a taste of retirement, Humm.

I fired up the Rat today and got her turned around and back under the cover so i can start the other side, darned if i'm too short! no more running board and no Nerf bars installed yet, If i would have installed a 2" lift instead of a 4" i could get my foot on top of the sill plate! The wife and i were joking about me needing a small plastic step with a rope attached that I'll have to pull thru the window after i climb in ..... Um.... No! Had to sit on a milk crate and had no mirrors but i got it done ok, I think the Rat was thanking me for firing her back up again!

Here's today's progress, got the passenger outer rocker off to see what I'm up against, I'll be darned of that lower A pillar don't look pretty darned nice! I still need to check it with an ice pick tho. Now I'm wondering if i decide the lower A pillar is good I'm thinking its going to be much harder to replace the floor and inner kick panel patches with the A pillar in the way.

[mcbassin]

Nice progress on the Swamp Rat. Digging the blaster vacuum! Cool idea.

[7dee2]

Hey this side doesn't look to bad.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Hey this side doesn't look to bad.

Famous last words! Good job!

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Famous last words! Good job!

Yea I know, the rust lurks in mysterious places! LOL!


Again guys thanks for the compliments and good wishes. The PT guys and gals worked me pretty good yesterday, I have some sore muscles on my neck and shoulder blades, and back.


So we have a storm rolling in, its suppose to pack a 3 day punch, but the morning news just said something about a 7 day punch thanks to a hurricane off the pacific coast, suppose to have high winds today starting about 3pm, today will be spent checking the car cover and buying supplies.

[First c10]

Glad your back at it!! I am going to make something like that for my Blaster!!