Sandblaster Problem

[windancer]

My sandblaster [cabinet model] has stopped working properly.

 

The only way it will do anything except blow air is if I cover the nozzle and give it a little air for a second. Then it will work for a few seconds but even then it pulses, spitting instead of a smooth flow. It stops blowing sand within a minute or so.

 

I took off the tip to clean it but it was not plugged.

I reversed the tip and that did not help.

 

I made more holes in the pickup tube and that didn't help.

 

I taped the end of the pickup tube off, and that didn't help.

 

I swapped the pickup tube end for end and that didn't help

.

Every time I pull the pickup tube from the sand the tube is full.

 

I took some sand out and that didn't help.

 

I added more sand and that didn't help.

 

I replaced the factory gun a couple years ago and it has worked just fine since then. I have been very pleased with it until today.

The only other thing I can think to try is empty the cabinet completely and refill with new media.

 

Thanks,

Dave

[MLMartin]

Is it overly humid in your area? Damp sand does not flow well.

[Jim Coke]

Greetings Windancer,

 

Sounds like wet media....  I would try replacing the pickup tube with a short hose  10 in or so and stick it in dry sand and try it...  That may show you something...   

 

Jim

[John McPherson]

At school, we have this problem repeatedly. Usually flakes of paint, rust or slag from dirty metal fall in the media, once a handful of chewed sunflower hulls. :o Any foreign matter bigger than a grain of salt will do to plug the line.

 

Completely disassemble the gun, blow it out with compressed air. If you can sight down the pick-up hose for obstructions, fine, if not run a coat hanger thru the pickup line to be sure. Drain and run every last speck of media thru a dollar store colander often. Replace when contamination is evident, or if no longer sharp enough to do a reasonable job. Enough rust will attract moisture and form lumps.

[swedefiddle]

John McPherson has the most often answer.

 

We have been using glass beads for over 35 years, same problem sometimes. A small lumpectomy stuckectomy in the pick-up circuit. :) :)

 

Neil

[Glenn]

My suggestions mirror Johns. Clean the system, run the media through screen wire, and make sure it is bone dry. 

 

Oh yes, keep the cat far away. They like to add *things*, both solid and liquid, to the media when you are not looking.

[windancer]

Thanks to all for the help.

I emptied the media tonight and have new media in front of the shop stove to remove and damp stuff. Will sift it and reload tomorrow and let everyone know if that did it.

Thanks again,

Dave

[windancer]

I sifted the medium and that cured 90% of the problem. Will leave a light bulb burning in the blast cabinet for a few nights, and that should resolve my issue.

Thanks again to all-

Dave

[rbcsaver]

Try a different media, such as Black diamond.

Silicosis is a problem with sand anyway, though probably less in a cabinet.

Steve