Sandblasting with your own hands: how to assemble a useful tool
Sandblasting with your own hands: how to assemble a useful tool from improvised means
Before finishing the surface, it must be cleaned of dirt and old coating. Anyone who has ever prepared the walls for painting or removed the remnants of rust from the metal, imagines how much effort and time this process takes. If you do it manually, the result is not always satisfactory. A sandblaster is a device that polishes the surface with sand. To make a sandblaster with your own hands is not such a difficult task.
A sandblaster is a device with which you can clean any surface with sand
What is a sandblasting machine: what elements does it consist of
A sandblaster is a device that delivers sand jets under high pressure, which clean and polish surfaces. The use of the device allows not only high-quality, but also to quickly get rid of dirt or, for example, to frosted glass.
The sandblasting machine consists of a compressor, receiver, tank, gun and connecting hoses
The device is especially useful for small auto repair shops, for owners who like to give old things a new look, as well as just for owners of private houses where it is constantly required to restore order. The most convenient for work is considered to be a sandblasting gun with recirculation, which allows you to use the abrasive repeatedly.
Fact! Of course, there is always the possibility of purchasing a ready-made device on the construction trading platform. But the cost of the devices is quite high, and finding parts in the garage to make a homemade sandblasting machine with your own hands is not expensive and simple.
How to make a sandblaster with your own hands? There are several ways. For this purpose, 2 main structural schemes are used, the main difference of which is the mechanism for feeding abrasive sand into the output cycle. Despite this, both options require almost identical parts to create significant nodes. So, in general, sandblasts consist of such elements:
- the compressor is the main part that pumps air;
- receiver is an element that is most often made on the basis of a gas cylinder;
- a small volume container is made of a fire extinguisher or a freon cylinder, it is here that sandblasting sand is placed;
- the gun through which the abrasive will be supplied;
- connecting hoses.
An industrial-type sandblaster consists of the same components as a household one
All specialists who manufacture homemade sandblasting machines focus on the fact that if you want the device to work longer, then you need to equip it with a moisture separator. If we are talking about a reciprocating compressor, the part should be installed at the inlet stroke of the air supply to the oil filtration system.
What you need to know about the principle of operation of a homemade sandblaster
Whichever type of construction is chosen, the device must form a jet of air-abrasive mixture at the outlet. The pressure system works due to the high supply pressure of the selected abrasive into the outlet pipe, where it is mixed with the air flow coming from the compressor. If we talk about the ejector device, it is worth knowing that here the work is carried out using the Bernoulli effect, based on the creation of a vacuum, which sucks in sand.
There are a huge number of schemes and drawings of sandblasting machines made with your own hands, allowing you to make them yourself. Each inventor prefers to use various unnecessary parts that are at hand, but all designs will work on a similar principle.
Before making a sandblasting machine with your own hands, you need to understand the mechanism of the tool, prepare all the necessary design details. If the elements are assembled correctly, the homemade device will not be inferior to the serial one in any way. It is often possible to design a device with minimal costs.
According to the principle of operation, the sandblasting machine is very similar to a spray gun
It’s interesting! The principle of operation of a sandblast is very similar to the mechanism of action of a spray gun, the main task of which is spraying paint and varnish materials. However, one device can never replace another.
The main element that will be needed for the sandblasting machine is a compressor. It is thanks to him that an air flow under the right pressure is created in the highways of the structure. When air passes through the main hose through the sand intake sleeve for the sandblaster, a vacuum is created, which contributes to the fact that the abrasive mixture is sucked into the main line, where it connects with the air jet.
Then the mixture of air and abrasive reaches the nozzle – hole through which the sand is supplied to the surface under high pressure. It follows from this that, in addition to the compressor, it is necessary to supplement the design with hoses of the desired diameter, connecting fittings, taps and dispensers. To ensure uninterrupted power supply of the working device, you will need an electric cable.
A sandblasting nozzle is an element that forms an abrasive jet with the characteristics necessary for work. You can make a ceramic nozzle with your own hands, because spent spark plugs are ideal for the base, from which the electrode is previously removed. On serial devices there is a steel element having an internal carbide-boron or carbide-tungsten coating. In numerous user reviews, it is noted that such details very rarely serve the owners for a long time.
The sandblasting nozzle forms an abrasive jet with the characteristics necessary for the work
Sandblasting with your own hands: types of devices and advantages of self-manufacturing
Before proceeding to creating sandblasting drawings with your own hands, you should learn more about the device itself and the main types of tools, as well as weigh the pros and cons of relatively self-manufacturing. In general, all devices can be divided into 3 large groups:
Fact! It is recommended to use a pneumatic sandblaster not only when it is necessary to treat heavily polluted surfaces, but also if it is planned to clean a large area. Often the designs are very complex, so they are rarely made independently.
Sandblasting machines can be divided into suction, vacuum and pneumatic
Before making a sandblasting machine, you should study the advantages and disadvantages of such work. Advantages of self-manufacturing:
- if you have all the components and assembly skills of the tool, the creation of the device will not take much time;
- there is an opportunity to save on the purchase of a serial product;
- if you use high-quality components, the device turns out to be even more reliable than the factory version.
Among the disadvantages of self – manufacturing , the following nuances stand out:
- only a person with the appropriate skills can assemble the tool;
- if you purchase low-quality parts, the device will not last long;
- an incorrectly selected and installed nozzle will not only complicate the work, but also reduce efficiency.
The use of high-quality components in the manufacture of a sandblasting machine with your own hands will ensure the reliability of the product
The main disadvantage is that if all the points are not taken into account during assembly, it is incorrect or unreliable to assemble the joints, then there is a risk of injury due to rupture of the valve or the abrasive tank. If, before you start assembling the device with your own hands, consult with a specialist in this field, create a competent and detailed drawing under the guidance of someone who has already done such work, then you will get a reliable assistant around the house.
What components will be needed: how to choose a compressor for a sandblasting gun
The compressor is the most important detail, because the sandblaster will not work without this element. Therefore, the choice should be approached deliberately, at least for the reason that the device is quite expensive.
It should be remembered that the performance of the device will depend on this component. Many people do not advise making a compressor for a sandblaster with their own hands, the capacity of which is 500 l / min. It is optimal when the indicator is at the level of 700 liters. It should also be taken into account that this power should be maintained at a pressure of 8 bar. The main elements affecting the ratio of pressure level and volume are:
The most important detail in the work of the sandblaster is the compressor
- diameter of the abrasive and air hose;
- the material used to make the nozzle;
- length of the highway;
- type and type of abrasive material.
An important criterion on which the choice and operation of the compressor depends is the diameter of the nozzle. The higher the indicator, the higher the pressure; the faster, respectively, it will be possible to clean the surface. You should also pay attention to the pressure indicators – everything depends on the type of material being processed.
The table shows what pressure will be sufficient for processing various surfaces:
| Surface Type | Required pressure, bar |
| Concrete, artificial stone | 3-5 |
| Metal surfaces | 8 |
| Surfaces resistant to mechanical influences | 12 |
It is better to take a device with a certain amount of power, because it is not always possible to think through beforehand where you will have to use a sandblaster, especially since you can make a device of any power.
Main types of compressors for sandblasting machine
Sandblasting machines mainly use 2 types of compressors:
- screw;
- piston.
In most cases, when self-manufacturing, preference is given to piston variants. These compressors are characterized by high performance, but the air is supplied to the main line by certain shocks. To eliminate such a problem, a receiver is additionally installed.
Screw and reciprocating compressors are used in sandblasting devices
Some users also note that piston devices sometimes have problems with oil supply. This leads to the appearance of moisture-oil condensate. The consequence of this nuance is the formation of lumps in the abrasive material, which is why the tool may fail.
The principle of operation of a sandblasting machine with a screw compressor is somewhat different. Here, the device is based on 2 worm-type gears rotating in different directions. The main advantage is the absence of noise and unnecessary vibrations. It is for these reasons, if you plan to assemble a mini-sandblasting machine for home use, it is better to choose a screw compressor.
According to the type of power supply, compressors are divided into diesel and electric. Each of the options has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you plan to assemble a small mobile device, it is better to give preference to the diesel version, the main advantage of which is the lack of connection to the 220 V network.
Accordingly, the device will be convenient to carry around the site, for example, to remove paint from a fence or gate. Another advantage of a diesel compressor is the ability to automatically control the engine speed. This makes it possible to regulate and save fuel consumption.
When self-manufacturing sandblasters prefer reciprocating compressors
The advantage of an electric compressor is lower fuel costs, but there is always a garter to the presence of an electrical outlet. It can be used at any temperature, while for the operation of a diesel appliance in frosty conditions, you will have to additionally purchase a cold start and preheating unit. Diesel engines do not like low temperatures very much.
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If you want to save as much as possible, you can make a device with your own hands using improvised components. In particular, ready-made compressor heads are suitable for operation, which are removed from the pneumatic brake device of cars such as ZIL and MAZ. They can often be found at old showdowns, flea markets or on ad sites. For normal operation of the head, it will be necessary to equip it with a receiver, as well as a frame for convenient fastening of the remaining structural elements.
What parts will be useful as components for making a sandblaster with your own hands
Before you make a sandblaster, you should take care of the availability of the necessary parts, most of which can always be found in your garage, pantry or workshop. Missing items should be looked for at flea markets or in hardware stores. One of the important components is the container from where the abrasive sand will be fed into the main line. Most of the craftsmen prefer to use an old gas cylinder for this purpose.
Important! If a gas cylinder is taken for work, you should carefully look at it so that there are no signs of rust, dents and other damage. In addition to using the cylinder as a container for abrasive, it can be useful for making a receiver for a compressor, however, when disassembling, it is necessary to observe maximum safety precautions.
Without the presence of all the necessary parts, it will not be possible to assemble a sandblaster
In order for the container to be freely filled with abrasive, it is required to weld a pipe fragment to the cylinder. For convenience, a neck should be fixed in the upper part, which will play the role of a funnel for filling sand. You will also need other equipment for sandblasting:
Most of the necessary parts can be found in your garage
Types and types of abrasives for surface treatment
The main consumable for work is an abrasive, under the influence of which the surface is cleaned. Simply sand taken from the riverbank will not be suitable for this purpose, because it has a heterogeneous composition, and its particles differ in different size and shape. All this will subsequently affect the quality of the treated surface. In addition, large grains of sand break up and turn into dust during the cleaning process, and the abrasive itself becomes unusable very quickly, so it needs to be constantly updated.
First of all, you need to remember that only special types of abrasive are suitable for high-quality cleaning. Often it is not only sand, but also other suitable materials of artificial and natural origin. The choice of the option will depend on the specifics of the work. The main parameters in this case are the following:
- hardness;
- size;
- shape.
Interesting fact! In most countries, it is forbidden to use ordinary quartz sand for sandblasting, because quartz particles turn into dust when they hit metal, which can cause severe lung diseases. In addition to the impact on the health of the sandblaster, dust can harm others, even those who are far from the place of work.
Sandblasting machines use such types of sand as river, quarry and industrial quartz
In general, the device of a sandblaster involves the use of such types of sand as:
What can be used, besides sand, to make a sandblasting chamber with your own hands
In addition to sand, other types of consumables are also suitable for the operation of the device:
Steel and cast iron shot is the most durable abrasive
If you view photos of sandblasters, you can pay attention to the fact that the camera is a rectangular structure. Most often it is a box welded from a metal corner, which is sheathed with thin steel sheets up to 1 mm thick. In order to make it easier to control the amount of abrasive during operation, it is best to place a glass or plastic viewing window on the long side.
On the front wall of the chamber, 2 symmetrical holes with a diameter of 100-120 mm are made, into which special tight gloves are inserted. It should be borne in mind that they will be constantly exposed to abrasive, so replacing these elements should not cause difficulties.
The bottom of the chamber is made of reinforced mesh, under which there is a trough for the used abrasive. Convenient operation is provided by lighting. To do this, it is enough to take 2 lamps of the required size. The gun for the sandblaster is placed inside the chamber, and the air is supplied using a hose connected from the outside. Thus, the material will not fly out of bounds, which will make it possible to reuse it. In fact, this version allows you to create a sandblasting gun with an abrasive recirculation system.
Useful advice! If you plan to clean non-standard products of large shape, it is advised to tighten the side edges with a strong tarpaulin. To make the camera as convenient as possible, you should not do work by eye – it is better to prepare a drawing beforehand.
In addition to sand, nickel and cupershlak, garnet sand, glass and stainless shot, as well as electrocorundum are used
How to start the process of making a sandblasting machine with your own hands
The simplest thing you can try to make on your own is a sandblasting gun. This option is a design with a handle, a tip and two fittings: one serves to supply compressed air, the second – to suck sand into the system. If you plan to use the device intensively, it is better to buy a ready-made gun for sandblasting. If the device is supposed to be used on a case-by-case basis, it is quite possible to try to create a design from objects that are at hand.
In order to use the device comfortably, you should start by choosing a nozzle for the sandblaster. It is a nozzle through which a stream of air mixed with an abrasive shoots. If you have the skills and the right tools, you can try and sharpen the part yourself, but most prefer to buy a ready-made element made of tungsten carbide or boron. On average, the parts are designed for 100 or more hours of operation, while cast iron or ceramic elements last for 2-3 hours of operation.
Important! When buying or self-manufacturing a nozzle, it should be borne in mind that the material must be designed for the impact of abrasive sand, which increases due to the high feed rate. For these reasons, it is required that the material withstand mechanical friction.
In accordance with the size of the nozzle, a sandblasting gun is produced, to which the fittings and the handle are then connected. The most primitive design is assembled from several fittings for water pipes, a tee, as well as a plastic tank for sand.
Very often spark plugs are used to make the nozzle
In a simplified version, a cut plastic bottle fixed in the upper part of the structure acts as a container. This kind of installation is easy to assemble in just a few hours. The course of work will look like this:
- sand is poured into the bottle;
- the gun is connected to the bottle;
- compressed air is supplied to the gun from the compressor.
How to make a sandblaster with your own hands from a gas cylinder
On the web, you can find a large number of videos of “Sandblasting with your own hands” that show how to make devices from a gas cylinder. This particular version is considered not only durable, but also reliable. It is important to follow the instructions while working to avoid accidents. For manufacturing, you will need to use such parts:
- propane or freon gas cylinder;
- powerful compressor with a capacity of at least 500 l/min and a power of 3 kW;
- ball valves regulating the supply of air and abrasive sand;
- a fragment of a water pipe made of steel with a thread and a plug, which will be used as a funnel for sand intake, the optimal diameter is 2 inches;
- tee with thread marked “DN 15”;
- rubber two-meter sleeve with a diameter of 14 mm;
- hose with a cross section of 10 mm, length of at least 5 meters;
- 5-meter gas hose with a diameter of 10 mm;
- clamps and fittings for hoses, it is better to take with a stock;
- nozzle;
- sandblasting nozzle for compressor;
- fum tape for reliable sealing and sealing of docking nodes.
Sandblasting devices made of a gas cylinder are considered not only durable, but also reliable
The nozzle, as already mentioned, can be purchased or made independently from a car candle or a metal rod. The main thing is to remember that 80% of the convenience and quality of work will depend on this detail: it is thanks to the nozzle in the sandblaster that the necessary pressure is provided.
In short, to make the nozzle, you will need a piece of metal rod 3 cm long and 1 cm in diameter. The first 2 centimeters of length are drilled to 2.5 mm, the remaining segment should have a larger diameter – about 6-6.5 mm.
Step-by-step assembly of a sandblaster with your own hands: video
After all the parts necessary for manufacturing are prepared, they proceed directly to assembly. First you need to completely release the cylinder from the gas. To do this, unscrew the valve and wait until the gas is completely released. You need to be extremely careful, because if you ignore this stage, unpleasant consequences are possible. To be sure that the gas has completely left the cylinder, it is recommended to insert a hose pre-connected to the compressor. Then a complete pumping of the gas mixture is carried out.
After the tank is completely empty, 2 holes need to be made in it: one at the bottom of the cylinder (with a diameter of 1.2 cm), the second on the opposite side. It is in the second hole that the crane with a section of 2 inches will be installed. A pipe of the same diameter is attached here. Then the following actions are performed:
The nozzle attached to the hose must be secured with a clamp
At the last stage, the compressor is connected to the mixer using a 10 mm hose, after which you can try to connect the installation and start operation. If it is necessary to increase the sand supply capacity, an additional fitting is attached to the tank, the other end of which is connected to the compressor.
Sandblast with your own hands from a fire extinguisher: brief instructions
When using a cylinder for a fire extinguisher, it turns out almost the same device as in the case of a gas cylinder, only of a more compact size. The disadvantage of such a design is a small container for sand, which will need to be constantly filled. The compact size and convenient transportation of the device are considered significant advantages.
Fact! It is much easier to make a sandblast from a fire extinguisher due to the fact that the valve is unscrewed much easier than in the case of using a gas cylinder.
As in the construction of a gas cylinder, you will need to make a hole in the bottom of the fire extinguisher to fill in the sand. Then a threaded fitting is attached to the completed hole. To make the structure stable, it is recommended to weld metal legs to the balloon. This technique will also help to ensure that the hose is connected from below.
To create a full-fledged structure, you will need to purchase a set of fittings and a crane. In general, the finished installation will look like this:
- a crane is installed at the outlet of the cylinder from the fire extinguisher;
- on the left side, the output is performed, where the compressor will be connected;
- an outlet for the sandblasting sleeve is being prepared on the right.
Also, to create a sandblaster from a fire extinguisher, you will need to purchase a set of fittings and a crane
Then you need to connect a compressor to the device, as well as install a sandblasting gun purchased or made with your own hands. The resulting small device is considered an ideal option for performing small jobs.
How to install a sandblaster on “Kercher” and other alternative manufacturing options
Inventors who like to assemble tools from improvised tools or other devices on their own offer to use a variety of materials in their work. Thus, they manage to manufacture devices of various types, for example, a sandblasting gun with a sand collection bag that allows the abrasive to be applied several times in a row, or a variety of recirculation-type devices. At the same time, devices designed for completely different purposes are often used in the work.
One good example is a homemade sandblaster made on the basis of a high-pressure washer. Most often, the equipment of the company “Kercher” is taken for work. As a result, it turns out to assemble a dust-free sandblasting machine that allows you to effectively clean even complex impurities.
Washing during operation creates high water pressure, while it is important that the liquid consumption is minimal. In order to get an efficient dust-free installation, you will need to assemble a sandblasting nozzle on the outlet pipe. In addition, other components will be needed:
One of the variants of a homemade sandblasting is a device made on the basis of a high-pressure washer
- homemade or ceramic nozzle;
- high-quality reinforced hose;
- node for mixing, you can use an ordinary tee, the main thing is to choose the part you need diameter;
- the feed adjustment unit, which is a cylindrical dispenser;
- a pipe for sand intake, supplemented by an air supply path to a closed container with an abrasive.
The finished water-type sandblaster from the sink will work according to the ejector system. In this case, high-pressure water in the process of rapid passage through the mixing unit creates a vacuum in the abrasive feed unit. After that, the sand along with the water is ejected under high pressure.
Among the features of using such a device, the following point can be highlighted: despite the small water consumption, the abrasive is supplied very intensively. This allows not only to clean the surfaces, but also to mat the glass.
Useful advice! In order for a device made of a high-pressure washer to stably supply abrasive, it is necessary to use fine sand of uniform dispersion. Fine, sifted river sand is suitable for household work.
With the help of a sandblaster made of “Kercher”, it is possible not only to clean surfaces, but also to mat glass
How to make a tool from a purge gun and a spray gun
Another option is a sandblaster from a purge gun, characterized by high efficiency, but with small dimensions. The device is especially appreciated by motorists engaged in bodywork. The following parts are prepared for manufacturing:
- pneumatic type blowdown gun;
- tee for plumbing work;
- ball valve, with which the supply of abrasive will be regulated;
- outlet nozzle with pressure nut.
As a reservoir for abrasive material, a light cylinder from a fire extinguisher or even an ordinary plastic bottle is suitable. After connecting all the parts, the device is connected to the compressor.
On the basis of the spray gun, it is also possible to make a sandblasting machine
Another popular manufacturing option is to use a spray gun as a base. In addition to it, other elements should be prepared:
- a handle equipped with an air supply mechanism;
- mixing valve, which is taken from a spray gun;
- abrasive tank;
- tee;
- ball valve regulator.
It is necessary to start work with the penetration of the spray gun, so that it is possible to use the nozzle of the right size. After preparing the part, a tee for mixing is connected to the gun. At the end, hoses are attached to ensure the flow and circulation. The abrasive feed is started using the trigger button. The volume of a small tank is enough to clean small parts or surfaces for half an hour.
Following the instructions, you can create a powerful sandblaster for large-scale work or make the device simpler. In this case, it all depends on the skills and details that are available. Before choosing a specific design, it is better to immediately determine the front of the work that is planned to be solved with the help of the device.
