Cheap sandblaster - Is ATD OK?

[ikessky]

I can get a 40lbs ATD sandblaster for a little over $100. Does anyone know anything about this blaster? Should it be avoided or would it be good for the small parts and jobs that I am looking to do? I am planning on blasting and repainting the bumper and rims on my truck and then possibly moving on to other areas as time goes on.

[Mooch]

How big is your compressor ?

Mooch

[ikessky]

I don't know the actual specs on the one I would be using, but it is also has a 50+ gallon auxilary tank plumbing into the system. Like I said, the stuff I'm blasting isn't really big and I can afford to take time and let the compressor catch back up if need be. We have ran HVLP paint guns off of it when I painted my boat and it worked just fine.

[Mooch]

I don't know the actual specs on the one I would be using, but it is also has a 50+ gallon auxilary tank plumbing into the system. Like I said, the stuff I'm blasting isn't really big and I can afford to take time and let the compressor catch back up if need be. We have ran HVLP paint guns off of it when I painted my boat and it worked just fine.

The next step up im size by ATD is a better choice in my opinion . But if you don't want to spend the difference the one you are talking about will do ok .

Mooch

[ikessky]

Well, I made my order for the ATD blaster and another order with Northern Tool for a 50lbs bag of AmberBlast media. It is supposed to be a byproduct of paper mills and is supposed to be silica free. It was cheap so I figured I'd see how it works out while I'm looking for a local place to buy some product from. Shipping costs ~$30 for a 50lbs bag of anything to my door.

[ikessky]

Well Mooch, I ended up stepping up to the 90lbs ATD blaster after all. The company contacted me and said they were out of stock on the smaller one and wouldn't get more until July sometime. I really didn't want to wait, so I just spent the extra $50 and got over double the blasting time.

[Mooch]

Well Mooch, I ended up stepping up to the 90lbs ATD blaster after all. The company contacted me and said they were out of stock on the smaller one and wouldn't get more until July sometime. I really didn't want to wait, so I just spent the extra $50 and got over double the blasting time.

A good move as it is a much better unit. Just remember that water will be your enemy . Install a good water seperator at the unit if one didn't come with it .

Good luck

Mooch

[ikessky]

Mooch, what actually makes it a better unit? Is it better built than the smaller unit?

[Mooch]

Mooch, what actually makes it a better unit? Is it better built than the smaller unit?

I wouldn't say it is better built . But in my opinion it is a better designed unit.

Holds more if you need it . Easier to fill with the larger top opening . Just being able to use it longer without having to fill it is worth the $50.00 .

Having to stop to refill is always a pain when blasting .

I would recommend you empty it when not in use for any length of time .

Mooch

[ikessky]

The UPS guy dropped off the blaster tonight and I got it all put together and ready to go. It's got a filter right on the unit, but I'm also going to run another one right off the compressor. I'll try to get some pictures once I get started blasting and painting some parts.

[MaxxdOut]

You need to run that second filter roughly 20-50 feet down line (away) from your compressor for it to be effective. Preferably copper black pipe, so heat can disperse. It sounds as if your compressor is an oil-less small setup, so proper filter placement is very important, considering it will likely be running constantly.

[ikessky]

Thanks for the advise MaxxdOut. I will make sure that the filter is at least 20 feet in line from the compressor. I will occasionally use an oil-less compressor (30 gallon, maybe a little bigger) for some small parts blasting at home, but will mostly do it at our "shop" which has an oiled model with a larger storage tank plumbed in. My goal is to get my own compressor that has at least a 60 gallon tank, but that may not be for another couple years when I build my new garage.