Speed Blaster

[NIB-98TJ]

http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/155444_lg.gif

Anyone ever use one of these? I'm trying to get a feel for how fast these things are. If I used one to clean up a salvage yard D60, about how long would that take? Under an hour?

I don't mine it being a little slow. I don't need one very often.

Thanks for any help,
NIB

[camarobryon]

I have the HF one and it works ok, I have used it on the smaller parts I need to blast. Just make sure you get all the road grime off first because it will not take it off if it's to thick.

[camarobryon]

oh it also took me about an hour to blast 6 15 inch rims front and back to get them ready to powdercoat.

[NIB-98TJ]

oh it also took me about an hour to blast 6 15 inch rims front and back to get them ready to powdercoat.
That sounds about right for what I need it to do.
Thanks all for the responses,
NIB

[actionpaintball]

Needle gun works well too...then get into the blasting

[JamesD]

I have the exact same one. It makes one hell of a mess, gets clogged very easy and the trigger sticks sometimes. The sand does not last long in it so you will be refilling it often.

James

[yota_kid]

I have the exact same one. It makes one hell of a mess, gets clogged very easy and the trigger sticks sometimes. The sand does not last long in it so you will be refilling it often.

James
x2 We have one here in the powdercoating shop, and its great for touch up on big parts that either need to be blasted w/the pressure pot outside, such as an axle, or are last minute.

But alot of times you can find a decent used pressure pot, or even a siphon feed for cheep in the want ads, or craigslist.

just my .02

[Green Truck]

I use the speed blaster for small jobs. I keep my sand in a recycle bin along with a funnel and a kitchen strainer, the one with like 1/8" holes. When it does clog, just hold the tip down on whatever you are blasting and pull the trigger for a second. This will backfeed the clog 99% of the time. I have also noticed that lower pressures work better ~40-60psi~

For bigger jobs I use a pressurised tank blaster from Harbor freight. When you get all 4 valves adjusted right it works much faster than the speed blaster with less sand. I paid around $75

[76scoutman]

I've found for larger projects like axles and such that it's not worth my time, making a HUGE mess, etc to use any of the open blasters. Just take it to someone and $20 later you get a better quicker job without all the fuss. Pay another $20 and some places will prime and paint as well. Jake and I have been using a place in Owens X-roads with great results and I think there is a place not too far from you too.

[NIB-98TJ]

Thanks for all the replies. I went ahead and ordered one of those Speed Blasters and some extra nozzles. I don't anticipate that I will use it a whole lot, but I think it will come in handy for some smaller stuff.

Thanks again,
NIB

[MedwayJunkyard]

If you have a fair amount of Road grime on a large part:

Use a scraper on it first. Get as much slime & sludge off as humanly possible. Load part in to a pick up bed, or small trailer. Find a car wash. Use degreaser/engine cleaner from parts store. Give it a few minutes then pressure wash. Reapply degreaser, use a wire brush if needed.

We do this with transmission before taking them to our builder. Makes him happy when the case isn't all slimed up. Guys that sand blast for a living prefer you do this as well. It will lower the cost of the job as they don't have to do this step.

Grease & undercoating will make blasting media worthless to reuse.

[NIB-98TJ]

OK, finally had a chance to try out my new Speed Blaster. That thing works great. I was running it on a 100' hose with 100 psi at the regulator. That thing just peeled the paint and rust right off. I should have bought one of these things years ago.

I'm sure it's slower than the bigger units. But it's so damn easy just to pick it up throw some sand in it and start blasting.

On the D44 I was cleaning up, I would estimate that it cleaned about 1 square foot per minute. I would also estimate that the sand reservoir is good for about 1-1/2 to 2 square feet.

Great little tool for $44. :D

NIB