tips and tricks H/F blasting cabinet

[Vega$69]

I have been using the small H/F cabinet for years and it's done the job perfectly without complaint.

I installed a cheap light and use the plastic sheets that came with it. I use it primarily for rust removal on small parts and bolts, nuts etc. I use iron oxide media.

[David Pozzi]

I'm using a cheap siphon sand blast gun in mine. I have 170 psi shop air available but I found the media flow is reduced at that pressure. The pressure backs up in the gun. I use a regulator to around 90 psi and get a better media flow.
Drilling out the air jet can cause so much air to flow, you don't get as much suction on the media hose. I put a vacuum gauge on mine to set pressure.

[minendrews68]

Where are you guys getting the replacement clear covers that go over the window. Harbor Freight doesn't carry them. As a Matter of fact Harbor Freight doesn't carry any kind of replacement parts. I bought a soldering gun and the tip burned into. Went back to HF and was told that the soldering gun was a expendable item so they did not carry the tips as a replacement. go figure!

[minendrews68]

Originally Posted by minendrews68

Where are you guys getting the replacement clear covers that go over the window. Harbor Freight doesn't carry them. As a Matter of fact Harbor Freight doesn't carry any kind of replacement parts. I bought a soldering gun and the tip burned into. Went back to HF and was told that the soldering gun was a expendable item so they did not carry the tips as a replacement. go figure!

ok, since I last wrote this I went with the Tacoma sandblast cabinet redo. My HF cabinet was around 15 years old but still looked brand new. I never used it because it was a piece of junk. I was reluctant to buy the Tacoma parts but after reading up on it I bought it. Guys, like daylight and dark. I use my HF cabinet all the time now. If you guys want any information I can help you out. Let me know.

[waynieZ]

How much does the Tacoma kit run? I heard it makes a world of difference.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by minendrews68

ok, since I last wrote this I went with the Tacoma sandblast cabinet redo. My HF cabinet was around 15 years old but still looked brand new. I never used it because it was a piece of junk. I was reluctant to buy the Tacoma parts but after reading up on it I bought it. Guys, like daylight and dark. I use my HF cabinet all the time now. If you guys want any information I can help you out. Let me know.

Mine seems to work okay, but I am interested in this kit. Where did you get it? Their Ebay store doesn't list them.

[minendrews68]

Wow, I'm up to date. Sorry guys for not getting back with this, but here goes.
Mike Tacoma and his wife own Tacoma Blasting Company. They are based out of Idaho, I think. Somewhere in that vicinity. I think I spent close to $500 for the kit I got, but man, is it worth it. I use mine for just about everything now.
It's funny I used to really crank up the pressure to get this cabinet to work but it never functioned properly. Now I use about 5 cups of media and run 45 lbs of pressure at the cabinet. Sounds crazy but it works.


Address: 124 Star Ridge Rd. Hope, ID 83836

Phone: 208-264-5543 / Mobile: 509-684-6756
Email: [email protected]
Business Hours: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm (Pacific)
Closed Saturday and Sunday

They were so far behind when I ordered mine it took about 2 months to get the kit. Be patient. Very nice people too. You'll have a lot better chance of getting a hold of Mike on his mobile number (above). Call him around 8:00 am (ID. time) is the best time to get him.

Do a search on youtube of Tacoma Blasting Cabinet tips. A lot of good information there also.
Again, I'm sorry for taking so long to get back on this. Let us know what you decide to do....

Carl

[camcojb]

I have one of the HF cabinets. The cabinet is fine, sealed it up extra and no leaks. But I suspect the gun is crap. I've tried 5 different medias and multiple pressures, and none work well at all, clogs the hose constantly. I quit using it for now, going to research different blasting guns. Don't have $500 to fix it, hoping I can come up with a cheaper solution. Don't need any more features, just need it to suck up media.

[camcojb]

So for the heck of it I decided to try a cheap gun from Amazon. Used the same pick up hose and tube that came with the HF cabinet. Wow, what a difference, works great! No clogging, strips metal immediately. Now I can actually use my blast cabinet. Just an FYI for those in the same boat.