Need a little Blast Cabinet media advice

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 1:46 pm
I have wanted a blast cabinet for a long time and finally won this one – sight unseen other than these photos – on an online auction.

It is a Zero Blast-N-Peen Sand Blasting Cabinet, no idea of what model it is, no idea what nozzle size it has or really anything about it. I will be picking it up next Tuesday. Good thing is that it did come from a hot rod shop.

My Eaton 7.5HP V4 80-Galloncompressor is virtually brand new (<4 hours) and I have a decent air filter/drying setup, so good clean air.

First thing that I will do while installing it is check for any missing, broken pieces on the unit.

So, after a fair amount of extensive time (30 minutes?) of research on what blast media I should plan on using, I have come to realize the following:

• I don’t know what media that I should use?
• I don’t know where to purchase the media?
• I don’t know how much should I get?

I saw a couple of posts from Dennis regarding a pressure pot system “Buying a Good Glass media in 80 grit works well…” and “I tried Alum Oxide one time, I didn't care for it too aggressive on metal surfaces. Just digs in too much.”

I have seen glass bead mentioned quite a few times and good ol HF has 50 lbs for $70 (prior to any coupons) and I would not need to pay shipping.

* Should I start out with glass beads or something else?
* If I do need parts, should I start with the manufacturer or is the a MediaBlastCabinets-R-Us.com?

Blast Cabinet.JPG

Blast Cabinet 2.JPG
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 4:57 pm
Number one is to make sure your exhaust system is working properly.
Trying to see in a dust filled cabinet is the pits.

I just ordered another 100 pounds of this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224307677655

The 40-80 grit will eventually break down into a finer grit but works great for stripping to clean bare metal. It is also easier to see in the cabinet when using glass as opposed to Black Diamond or other coal slag type media.

Lower control arm being removed from car:
Control Arm Lower on Torsion Bar.JPG


After a trip through the blast cabinet:
Lower Control Arms Blasted 1.JPG
1968 Coronet R/T


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2022 10:18 pm
Thanks! I knew you guys would come through with the real world knowledge.

I ordered 100 lbs and now I have been going down the exhaust filter rabbit hole.

Do you think that one of the cyclone filters, the kind over a five gallon bucket, placed in-between the blast cabinet and the exhaust filter/fan would help? Maybe put a little water in the bottom of it?

I use one on each of my router tables and they work fantastic in that situation.
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 7:17 am
Media choice totally depends on what you are blasting. Glass beads for mostly aluminum. Walnut, or plastic for delicate parts, plastic, fiberglass. Crushed glass for most steel stuff. Silicon carbide for etching glass. I use aluminum oxide, because I work on stuff that is REALLY rusty. It's the most aggressive, but also leaves a nice finish, if you use the finer grit.

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PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2022 9:14 am
OldFatBald wrote:Thanks! I knew you guys would come through with the real world knowledge.

I ordered 100 lbs and now I have been going down the exhaust filter rabbit hole.

Do you think that one of the cyclone filters, the kind over a five gallon bucket, placed in-between the blast cabinet and the exhaust filter/fan would help? Maybe put a little water in the bottom of it?

I use one on each of my router tables and they work fantastic in that situation.


Sounds like it would plug up very quickly to me. The filtration system you have on there should have parts available to ensure it works properly.

I have to clean my filters after so many hours of use.
1968 Coronet R/T


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 8:43 am
OldFatBald wrote:
Do you think that one of the cyclone filters, the kind over a five gallon bucket, placed in-between the blast cabinet and the exhaust filter/fan would help? Maybe put a little water in the bottom of it?

I use one on each of my router tables and they work fantastic in that situation.


what are ya trying to help?

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 21, 2022 4:22 pm
tomsteve wrote:
OldFatBald wrote:
Do you think that one of the cyclone filters, the kind over a five gallon bucket, placed in-between the blast cabinet and the exhaust filter/fan would help? Maybe put a little water in the bottom of it?

I use one on each of my router tables and they work fantastic in that situation.


what are ya trying to help?


Keep the overall dust down and let the filter last longer. That is what the cyclone filters do for my router tables.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:58 am
chopolds wrote:Media choice totally depends on what you are blasting. Glass beads for mostly aluminum. Walnut, or plastic for delicate parts, plastic, fiberglass. Crushed glass for most steel stuff. Silicon carbide for etching glass. I use aluminum oxide, because I work on stuff that is REALLY rusty. It's the most aggressive, but also leaves a nice finish, if you use the finer grit.


chopolds wrote:Media choice totally depends on what you are blasting.

I couldn't agree more!!!!!!

In my Cabinet I use a Very Fine "GLASS BEAD" for almost ALL my blasting needs it works good on almost all stuff, I use my Pressure pot for frames, differentials, large cast iron and the like I use that Glass blast 80 grit stuff.

The Glass blast 80 grit is just too course for me in my Cabinet for general use on small parts such as Pot metal, Aluminum, Brass, copper Stainless parts along with Steal. It will work don't get me wrong, I just like a less aggressive media for general parts cleaning going from control arms to Carburetor parts is not a Problem with Glass Bead BUT it would be a Huge mistake to use that 80 grit Glass blast on non ferrous metals of any kind.

Glass bead is my Go to for 99% of all my blasting on everything without damage EXCEPT Glass itself lol I even use it on Painted interior parts I am going to paint. Heck I have even cleaned Cams and Pistons with it and crank shafts without damage just polish with fine Emery clothe after. you cant do that with Glass blast 80 grit NO WAY!

There is Blast media charts out their that explain whats best to use on what when.
But for me Glass Bead is Best and will always be my go to for all my Blasting when I can get the part in my Cabinet.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

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PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:43 pm
I picked up my online auction blast cabinet last week and decided to take it to my (work) shop before bringing it home the Pig Barn shop to clean it up and fix anything if needed. I think that it is a Clemco (maybe a BNP 55?). And it came with a set of hood hinges!! The “Hemi Magnum” emblem will be tossed!

I had already went and got all excited and ordered 100 lbs of the crushed glass that 68 uses. Later I may get some glass “beads” per Doright and Chop’s advice to go with it. We will see when I dig into my 63 Suburban project.

I found a manual for a BNP 55 online at http://49yfftsnlm811f7233q3laj4-wpengin ... 23350m.pdf

• Is this a “Suction” style setup?
• Where do I dump my 50 lbs of glass? Just in the cabinet?
• It doesn’t seem to have an air regulator, should I add one or just use my wall regulator (kind of like I do for my sprayguns)

Blast Cabinet (6).jpg

Blast Cabinet (4).jpg

Blast Cabinet (parts).JPG

Blast Cabinet (9).jpg
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2022 9:58 pm
What I think is the original exhaust has been disconnected and replaced with the Cyclone DC-1500 dust collector. Which I can still get parts for if needed.

The yellow hose has a male air fitting and goes into the foot pedal.
The black hose has a male air fitting and goes into the rear hopper?
The red hose goes from the other side of the foot pedal and then into the rear hopper?

• Should I have a setup like the one labeled “Figure 6”?
• Shouldn’t there be only one air fitting in?
• How do I hook this thing up?
• What air pressure (80 psi)?

Blast Cabinet (Disconnected).jpg

Blast Cabinet (Hoses).jpg

Blast Cabinet (Filter).JPG

Blast Cabinet (3).jpg
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