DIY Sandblaster

Here we are with another brand new structure by the ‘make it extreme’ team, a Sandblaster.

This structure is capable for multiple uses such as removing the rust from old objects and coatings as well as writing on many different kinds of materials like glass, stone and others.

Our own design of the particular structure aims to recycle the sand in order to be able to use it more than once.

Step 1: Tanks

Thus, we used two tanks to reach this particular outcome as when the one tank is in use for sandblasting the other one which is not in use, it will be able to keep the sand in it. Therefore, after the sand is ran out from the tank which was used for sandblasting and with the help of some valves the function is reversed by carrying out the same process with the second tank this time. In the future, we are planning to make a recycling system for the sand, as well.

To create the two tanks, first we took four tanks of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to cut them and then, we made two larger ones. Our tanks are linked with screws in the middle in order to enable us to access their inside surface, if it is necessary.

Step 2: Air - Pressure Regulator - Valves

The air is inserted by a robe which is connected with an air compressor and it passes through with the help of a pressure regulator. Then, the air in the tank pressures the sand and another supply connects with the valve, in which the sand is mingled with the air (mixing valve) and next, it moves towards the sandblaster gun within a robe. Therefore, opening the valve we realize that the sand comes out of it in a great speed and hitting our object we have the outcome that we just mentioned above. The inlet of our tank, where the sand is inserted, it opens when the pressure of the tank is in zero and automatically, closes when the air is inserted in our tank. This fact makes the placement of the sand and our sand blaster extremely easy to use.

The indications regarding the pressure applied in our tanks are showed by two pressure gauges that each one is placed per tank. Also, for safety issues, we placed two safety air valves 12 bar on our tanks as well as two exhaust valves that remove the air from the tanks when is necessary.

Step 3: Paint - Test

To make our sand bluster even easier to use, four wheels have been placed to become a movable tool, easy to be used in our workplace, too.

Reaching pressures of 8 bar from our compressor, our sand bluster works great and it has excellent results. Also, putting some water in our tanks, we can clean our place from dirt that cannot be easily removed with the water pressure in our home. In addition, putting some sand in one of the two tanks and water in the other we can transform our structure into a hydro-sand blaster in no time…

Step 4: Video

Finally, our structure with number 0033 is added in our work lab as another brilliant tool.

Comments

[DarkTrancer]

I had to register to post. As a 30 year blaster i can tell you there are many things in this instructable that are not safe.The main reason though is the hose used is far to thin and doesnt look like it has internal strengthening. At the bend point by the guys face in the photo will wear in a week or so and blow out. So , the warning, if grit/shot/bead penetrates your skin to pierce a vein, the air pressure can create a bubble and stop your heart.

Also there is a what looks like a clemo blaster pot in the background (orange cylinder), why not use that?

[Roger_Ramjet]

This is terribly dangerous to consider making without knowing the risks of fabrication with used lpg tanks. Please do not attempt this project.

[iFirefly]

Don't listen to this naysayer! As long as you empty the tanks and fill/flush with water as they did here, there is less than 0% chance of an ignition-based explosion, and with the use of the 14 bar safety pop-off valves, there is the same 0% chance of over-pressure explosion. Just make sure that when welding galvanized metal that you do it in a well-ventilated area and wear a carbon-based filter respirator to avoid breathing the nasty gas that's generated. This was a wonderfully designed and executed instructable and it makes a great weekend project!

[Roger_Ramjet]

My point was just as your reply states, there was no safety advice in the original instructions. It's important to consider the safety of the lowest common denominator and not someone of equal competence as yourself.

[iFirefly]

Bravo! You covered almost everything and I'd like to see this enhanced to used in the "Hydro" mode you mentioned with a water-fill valve and a swiveling funnel to load the blast media. I'd prefer to use recycled crushed glass in a water mixture that results in a "dustless" blaster. I'd also like to see the design of your motorized circle-cutter w/plasma cutter attached. Excellent work compadres!

[MarkF30]

Could you please modify this Instructable to include the necessary Safety Precautions required when attempting to work with LPG Bottles.

Caution is required to ensure that there is no gas remaining inside the bottle along with no pressure.

Please address these items promptly.

[iFirefly]

The DID empty & flush with water, which renders them 100% safe. Why is it that people can't understand their eyes?

[bacardiman04]

No, Just No.

[OllieP5]

https://www.instructables.com/id/Gas-Bottle-Wood-Bu...

this has the instructions explaining how to empty a gas bottle. I haven't tried it...yet, but looks like it should work

[pierremaricq]

bravo !

[NeilIves]

Wow! I loved that!

[Ralphxyz]

Wow, great project great instructable thank you!!

So many questions.

[JavelinScott]

What did you use as a gasket on the mid-tank flange?

[HariKarier11]

Instead of switching between tanks you should have made a dedicated soda blaster a bead blaster. I think you're on the right track and I like the way you have a few things set up but the one problem I see is you could face galvanic reaction between the bronze fittings and the galvanized pipe. If you used ss pipe then disregard, but if you used galvanized pipe you may need to add dielectric unions between the galvanized and bronze fittings. Keep building and experimenting.

[rippa700]

Nice, but I'm not sure that workshop qualifies as DIY. Can't imagine making this in my shed even with quite a lot of 'normal' DIY equipment.

[LarryG7]

This is only going to work for about 5 minutes. Then it will have to be hooked back up to the air compressor.

[the pvc bike guy]

If that CFM/SCFM runs high in the 6.0 to 9.0 at 90 pounds