So I am starting to restore a 68 Mustang coupe. I figured I would need a sand blasting cabinet to do the small parts. I went to Harbor Freight (I don't do this for a living just one car and done) and got the standalone cabinet. I read all the reviews and can fix the seems leaking etc. What I am wondering is do I need to connect a vacuum system to it to keep small particulates down or is that not needed? If it is needed any ideas or places to look for how to? I just got the quarter welded in next is the tail light section then stripping paint and fixing some small spot rust spots.

mlarv5 wrote:So I am starting to restore a 68 Mustang coupe. I figured I would need a sand blasting cabinet to do the small parts. I went to Harbor Freight (I don't do this for a living just one car and done) and got the standalone cabinet. I read all the reviews and can fix the seems leaking etc. What I am wondering is do I need to connect a vacuum system to it to keep small particulates down or is that not needed? If it is needed any ideas or places to look for how to? I just got the quarter welded in next is the tail light section then stripping paint and fixing some small spot rust spots.

If your cabinet has an approx 3" 'port' on the end like mine, yes, hook up a shop vac, you'll actually be able to see!

nova wrote:

mlarv5 wrote:So I am starting to restore a 68 Mustang coupe. I figured I would need a sand blasting cabinet to do the small parts. I went to Harbor Freight (I don't do this for a living just one car and done) and got the standalone cabinet. I read all the reviews and can fix the seems leaking etc. What I am wondering is do I need to connect a vacuum system to it to keep small particulates down or is that not needed? If it is needed any ideas or places to look for how to? I just got the quarter welded in next is the tail light section then stripping paint and fixing some small spot rust spots.

If your cabinet has an approx 3" 'port' on the end like mine, yes, hook up a shop vac, you'll actually be able to see!

Thanks I know there is a port of some sort on the side I am not sure of the size or if it is open or not. I will look when I get home tonight.

You can also build a dust trapping mechanism using a bucket, some pvc pipe and an extra hose

a shop vac will clog up quickly with sand.

f575gtc wrote:You can also build a dust trapping mechanism using a bucket, some pvc pipe and an extra hose

a shop vac will clog up quickly with sand.

Thanks I did build a water separator before the shop vac. It works like a champ.

I have one of the biggest cabinets Harbor freight has on its web sight it has its own Vacuum system that works great, Bought mine years ago used from a guy that was moving and couldn't take it with him I got very lucky and got it very cheap.
I use Glass in mine Its about 5 feet wide 2 feet deep and about 5 feet tall.
You wanna find a good Gun with the steel tips the ceramic ones were out way to fast. Last I checked they carried a different model now that doesn't have the same style gun and all the optional guns they carried last I checked were the guns with ceramic tips. the steel tips last forever and our worth the price when you can find one.