Anyone ever use one of these? For $110 it seems like it would be worth trying out.

 

I have the Harborfreight version of the 20 lbs one. I think I paid $40 for it. It works fine for frames and large parts. You go thru media very quicly.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40925

I have no clue what you know about sand blasting but it is all about the media you use. You can use sand but most of the large bags of sand you get at hardware stores has to much moisture in them. You will not get a nice consitant finsh with them and they tent to plug up a lot. The reason I tell you this is if you are doing small parts the small cabinets are worth it because they reclaim the media. If you are blasting outside you want a media that does not absord moisture. Also make sure you have a good drying system on your compressor.

I use this for hvy rust.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99945

 

$40 is cheaper yet. I actually went into a harbor freight last Wednesday and saw the blast media. I did not see that pressure blaster though. I am going to keep looking for one. I have also found that my compressor won't be up to task, so I am going to need to find a super compressor too. My 5.5hp 30 gallon sears craftsman has done me well for alot of years, it will run any impact tool or whatever I need, but the motor will run nonstop. Time to upgrade that as well now I suppose.

 

I am limited to 110v is my shop I also have Craftsman Compressor. The one I have does very well until you start talking Sand blasting or painting (its says its 5 hp but 2 hp is the max possible with 110v). To run 220v I would need to install a new service in my home (its maxed out). Then run wires out to the detached garage and of course buy the bigger compressor. I would then have to pay to pump up that big compressor every weekend.

For the 3-4 weekend a year I need the larger compressor I rent a gas powered unit for the weekend. Renting 8 hp gas unit hooking it inline with my 2 hp craftsman gives me all the air I need to blast or paint. Getting a true 8 Hp compressor with electicity would require 3 phase power source. Mathmaticly 5 hp is the limit out of 220v single phase. I do keep an eye out every once in a while I will see a contractor selling a used 8-10 hp unit. I would like to get a decent Emglo unit at some point. These industrial grade compressors are designed to run 8-10 hours a day for 4-5 years. If they are not all used up with a little maintenence they would last a hobbiest a life time.

Edit: Don't forget to sign up for the Harbor freight coupons (ya I know coupons are lame). They have been sending out 15% any one Item almost every week. I never do a large purchase from HF without the item being on sale and using a coupon. I think I saw in the flyer that system I posted above was onsale for $49 With the coupon that gets you close to the $40 I paid.

The nice part about getting the stuff cheap is if you do not like it you can sell it for almost what you paid for it. I bought one of HF mig welded a few years back, I out grew it, I bought it onsale for $99 with a %20 off coupon. I put it on CL a year later for $75 First guy showed up ran a bead with it and handed me the $75 and said thanks. I welded up 2 exhausts systems and a few brackets and it cost me like $8.

 

Ok, I am going to sign up. How much is it to rent a compressor? I used to be in Construction, but not any more, I could have brought one home anytime. My Brother still is, I wonder if he has one. Will have to ask, one of those things would power anything.

 

I think the last time I rented one it was 48 for 2 days.

 

I think I am talked into it. Going to look for a killer sandblaster now.

 

Yeah you are right...i never knew about this but now i will surely try..it would be really worth trying this

 

I would definitely give it a try