iminhell Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 This was a project I undertook last summer to aid with stripping my Mustang. Works very well and well worth my time invested in building it. I'd assume any guy doing an automotive restore or just wanting to clean up a few parts now and again will find it quite useful. The parts will vary by what you use as the holding tank/pressure vessel so I won't get into the part numbers for fittings. I'm just going to run through the basics and hope you will be able to figure the rest out. First thing you'll need is a tank. Mine is built from an old air compressor tank, roughly 40 gallon tank: http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L4kEJfLxoIg/ShMod_VYI-I/AAAAAAAAAC8/Q5SpJNonzLE/s144/100_1379.jpg From Sandblaster Now you want a tank that has at least 3 holes in it. One to fill the tank with the media, 1 for the pressure fitting and one for the media to flow out of. If your tank does not have enough you can always drill a hole and weld or have someone weld a fitting on the tank. You will need some type of adjustable valve to regulate the media to air mixture. I choose a swing ball valve style but any type will do just fine. This needs to be T'd in line with the incoming pressure to the tank, you do not want media getting into the valve. So keeping it high on the tank is a wise move. http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L4kEJfLxoIg/ShMoe6FgefI/AAAAAAAAADE/-69cbW6fFUU/s144/100_1381.jpg From Sandblaster You will have to T the line from the valve into the output of the media side of the tank (bottom). It's easiest to think of this as a rudimentary mixing valve, because that is what will take place here. http://lh3.ggpht.com/_L4kEJfLxoIg/ShMoeaa2PcI/AAAAAAAAADA/IF9ujjpcvJk/s144/100_1380.jpg From Sandblaster So all we have left is something to control the flow of media to the atmosphere. For this the best choice is what is referred to as a deadman's valve. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_L4kEJfLxoIg/ShMofnOvmbI/AAAAAAAAADM/owtktujIG5k/s144/100_1383.jpg From Sandblaster I bought this one from Northern Tool and Supply for about $35 (unfortunately I cannot find it on their web site). A similar type can be found here for a conservative price (though I have no clue on the quality of the product). Everything on mine is 12" inner diameter, but like I said earlier this all depends on your choice of tank. You can get up to 1" nozzles, parts etc but I would say that is more for the industrial and not really a home based user size. The first hose I had purchased is the clear type pictured. It was cheap, roughly $0.65 per foot (I bought 20 feet). I am trying a Goodyear hose now that cost me $1.20 per foot (I bought 25 feet). I am trying to not spend the almost $6 per foot for the proper sand blasting hose, but my guess is I'll eventually have to. If you notice I have a jerry rigged way of pressurizing the tank, simple air fitting with a male to male adapter. I would advise against this. Reason being when the tank is pressurized the only way I have to depressurize it is by sticking the fitting in and letting all the air out. With a full tank at 120psi this is a lot that can go wrong and cause serious injury. I would advise using a pressure relief valve similar to what is found on an air compressor. This way all you have to do is pull up and let the pressure bleed out and there is no danger of a flying air fitting. Since we are on the safety subject. Never under any circumstance take any cap or fitting off the tank while it is pressurized. Most people do not realize how much force there can be behind air pressure. I can tell you this much, while playing with another tank that was pressurized to roughly 60psi I took a 3/8" cap off the tank and that cap embedded nearly a foot into the ground along with making a 8" diameter hole. Not something you want any body part to get in the way of. Always ware a breathing mask of some type, there will be lots of dust. I'd advise to ware a face shield over safety glasses because rocks to the face really sting. If you need any help just let me know. Hope you have fun with it. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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