Tired of blowing through nozzles for our sandblaster and throwing money away, we needed a good solid answer for a better way. A member at Techshop (thanx Ken) gave us a great idea that gave us both a money saver and a longer lasting alternative.

Step 1: Getting Ready

Stuff Needed:

Old nozzle
Calipers
De-burring tool
Tapered end mill
Steel tubing
V-block

Access Needed:

Horizonal Saw
Jet Mill

Thanx TechShop for the access

Step 2: Bringing It In

Using the calipers on the old nozzle, I took the dimensions of it, and ordered the correct size tubing from a local vendor (thanx speedy metals). For our blaster, I needed a .25 ID and a .500 OD tube. Since this was a test I only ordered a 9" piece.

Then I was off to the saw to cut my pieces to length.

Step 3: Working the ID Form

Next, it was off to the mill. Using the Vblock, I clamped the part in and used my tapered end mill to give me a relief at the back end of the nozzle.

Step 4: Boom There It Is

Use the de-burring tool on the ID and that's it. The form on the front is for looks, so there is no real reason for me to pretty our version up. Our nozzles went from costing just over 3 dollars to just under 2 dollars and they last longer with equal wear on the ID.