[TR] pressure sandblaster tips?

[Andrew Uprichard]

Gary:

I recently used one of these blasters and the only way I could use it was to
operate the system using the valve under the blaster:  if you close the
deadman's valve the system will clog.  I asked a local body shop and they
confirmed my findings.

Andrew

-----Original Message-----
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Gary Nafziger
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 2:29 PM
To: triumphs at autox.team.net
Subject: [TR] pressure sandblaster tips?

Cleaning up tr-3 fenders:  I purchased a harbor freight pressure blaster and
within half hour ruined the nozzle last summer (ball valve just wore out by
sand going through it).  I wasn't really happy with the blaster as it seemed
to work intermittedly.  It would  blow very well but then seem to get
plugged or almost plugged at times.  I've since replaced the valve with a
deadmans valve but when first using it I got sand blowing out with minimal
pressure.  Not nearly enough pressure to be effective.  I took everything
apart and all lines were clear except for the sand hose from the bottom of
the blaster to the nozzle which was full of sand. 
I have a 4 hp compressor with 25 gallon tank.  It does 9 scfm at 40lbs and 7
at 90.  I know its somewhat small for pressure blasting but think it should
do better than that as it does handle my cabinet blaster ok.  The pressure
blaster is harbor freight 40lbs.
My understanding/experience with pressure blasters is minimal.  My main
question is with the sand hose from blaster to nozzle.  It does have a valve
right under the blaster which can control sand flow.  Should this be wide
open or partially open?  I'm thinking if its wide open then too much sand is
filling the hose resulting in plugging or partially plugging the hose.  But
what will it help to partially close the sand valve?.................
because when I shut off the nozzle to re-arrange the fender or do another
task................. won't the sand continue running into the hose
anyway.........potentially plugging.
Just curious if anyone else has had this problem or if anyone else has more
extensive experience with pressure blasting.
I'm basically cleaning up the edges/corners of fenders and might just resort
to hand sanding and POR-15.LOL

this might be borderline british so sorry!
gary n.
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