hey guys, im looking for a sand blaster to do some cleaning up on my frame but i wasn't sure what kind to get, i've heard that the gravity fed ones are better than the pressurized by some people but other people say the opposite, i was just hoping to get some feedback or recommendations as to what kind to get and possibly where a good place to get them would be, thanks a lot!

 

If your compressor can handle it, get a pressure pot blaster. They are easier to get the flow of sand set for optimal cleaning. Sandblasters use a lot of air to do a good job. A small pressure pot will usually need about 20-30 cfm to work well. A pot that is rated for 15 cfm will actually use more than that flow rate once the tip starts to wear so make sure your compressor is rated for plenty of flow. If the air cannot keep up it really slows the process.

 

If you're just using it for this one job, I'd consider getting someone else to do the blasting. Not only will a good compressor capable of sandblasting cost you up around $1,000, but yopu'll need to wire a pretty big circuit for one that large. I'd expect something around a 60 amp two pole 230 v. branch ckt. to handle the right compressor.
I've got a pretty big twin that runs at 8.7cfm, with 25 gal. upright tank, and it is the biggest I could find that would run on 120 v. It runs all my air tools and sanders, but wouldn't even come close to running a sandblaster.
With my air board it works great, but on the DA sander the motor runs pretty continuously to keep up.