How to assemble a powerful compressor with your own hands for sandblasting

How to assemble a sandblasting machine at home

Sandblasting allows you to quickly and efficiently clean surfaces from dirt and frost glass. The first type of operation is in great demand in small auto repair shops and even private garages. The problem is that the equipment sets on the market are expensive. At the same time, let’s say a home craftsman has a fairly powerful compressor. In this case, you can assemble a sandblasting machine with your own hands, using, literally, discarded items and parts that can be bought at any hardware store.

How to work with a sandblasting chamber.

Another container should be placed on the bottom edge, which will serve to collect used abrasive material.

Make sure that it is removable, otherwise the camera will not serve you for long. There should also be a hole on the top edge or at the top of the side edge through which air will flow.

It should be placed on the side where your working hand is, because in this case the risk of injury from the consumable is minimized. Please note that a sandblasting machine made with your own hands must fit into a container, and for this you need drawings.

To make it convenient to work in a container, it is worthwhile to provide lighting in it. There are no specific requirements for choosing lamps; you can choose the one with which it is most convenient for you to work. Most often, fluorescent lamps are installed in the chamber.

You will also need to make a hole with a flap or door through which you will supply the parts for processing. Remember that not all sizes of parts will fit in this chamber, and if the part is too large and inconvenient to work with in the chamber, you will have to work with it outside using sandblasting machines. To learn how to make a sandblasting machine with your own hands, you can watch the video.

Design and operating principle of a sandblasting machine

Do-it-yourself sandblasting can be assembled based on two design schemes that differ in the physics of supplying abrasive material to the output path. However, they will have almost the same list of significant nodes.

A compressor is the main device for pumping air.
A receiver that can be made from a gas cylinder.
The container for the abrasive material is of a fairly small volume, which is made from a freon cylinder or a fire extinguisher.
The pistol is the main tool of the installation operator.
Connecting hoses.

Important! To ensure long-term operation and stable parameters of the abrasive mixture, the sandblasting machine must include a moisture separator. If a piston compressor is used, it is recommended to install an oil filtration system in the air inlet path.

Any homemade sandblaster should produce a stream of air-abrasive mixture at the output. In this case, the pressure circuit uses pressure to supply abrasive to the outlet pipe, where it is mixed with the air flow from the compressor. A household ejector-type sandblasting machine uses the Bernoulli effect to create a vacuum in the abrasive intake path. The latter enters the mixing zone under the influence of the atmosphere.

The drawings and diagram of a homemade sandblaster, according to which you can assemble the device at home, are extremely diverse. The reason is that artisans use what is at hand for their products. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider the general principles by which homemade sandblasting equipment is built.

Sandblasting machine operation

The main principle of operation of this machine is the release of consumables along with air or liquid under considerable pressure. All this works thanks to a compressor and tubes that deliver air or liquid.

The abrasive material coming out of the sandblast easily removes the top layer of the surface you are working with.

What can sandblasting be made from?

To understand how easy it is to make sandblasting with your own hands, it is enough to dwell on the operating features of each structural unit. In this case, the selection of available parts or finished products becomes obvious.

Mixing unit. Sand for sandblasting and compressed air from the compressor come here from two hoses. The output is a ready-made air-abrasive mixture. In this case, no requirements, for example, the volume of the mixing chamber, are imposed on the unit. On this basis, you can use a regular plumbing tee to make it.
Control devices. A normal manual sandblaster should be able to adjust the air flow and the intensity of the abrasive material. In this case, no requirements are imposed on the control device. At home, this role is well performed by water ball valves made of steel.
Connection points. To connect the hoses, conventional fittings are installed on the portable sandblasting machine. They can be equipped with clamps for secure fastening. All these components are easy to buy in stores.
Receiver. This part of the design is needed to facilitate the operation of the compressor and stabilize the pressure. You will definitely need a receiver if you want to get a powerful sandblast with your own hands. This device can be made from a powder type fire extinguisher with a large housing capacity. Another option is to make a receiver from a gas cylinder.
Abrasive chamber. The components for its manufacture may differ depending on the type of installation being created. For example, an ejector-type mini sandblasting machine is assembled with a plastic bottle for abrasive. A pressure installation will require a durable container made from a fire extinguisher or a freon cylinder.

Important! The connection diagram for moisture separation and oil collection devices depends on the specific product purchased for this purpose. However, most of the models on the market will only require the manufacture of an outlet from a plumbing tee onto which the hose fittings are mounted.

Sandblasting machine from a plastic bottle

Creating sandblasting from a plastic bottle does not require too many materials: the basis is a sandblasting gun, which you can make yourself, and a bottle.

As mentioned earlier, a sandblasting machine is used to clean a huge number of types of surfaces from dirt and corrosion, but sandblasting from a bottle is a fairly mobile device that allows you to easily clean small surfaces.

A sandblaster is used to clean most surfaces, but it can also be used to make metal, for example, shine.

Making sandblasting with your own hands from a bottle is not at all difficult. Sandblasting is made from a blowing gun, taps and a plastic bottle of a certain volume you need: a tee is attached to the gun device and the bottle is connected.

It is important to note that you cannot use a metal nozzle, because under the influence of sand it will collapse over time. Connect your device to the compressor and you can start cleaning.

Algorithm for making sandblasting from a gas cylinder or fire extinguisher

The simplest sandblasting design that you can do yourself is a pressure-type installation . To make it you will need (the principles of selection and purpose of the components are described above):

ball valves, 2 pcs;
freon cylinder, gas or fire extinguisher;
a piece of pipe to create a funnel for pouring abrasive into the chamber;
tees, 2 pcs;
hoses with internal diameters of 10 and 14 mm for releasing abrasive and supplying air from the compressor, respectively;
fittings and clamps for fastening hoses;
plumbing fum tape for connecting structural elements.

How to make sandblasting with your own hands at home: drawings and assembly steps

Sandblasting allows you to quickly and efficiently clean surfaces from dirt and frost glass. The first type of operation is in great demand in small auto repair shops and even private garages.

The problem is that the equipment sets on the market are expensive. At the same time, let’s say a home craftsman has a fairly powerful compressor.

In this case, you can assemble a sandblasting machine with your own hands, using, literally, discarded items and parts that can be bought at any hardware store.

Design and operating principle of a sandblasting machine

A compressor is the main device for pumping air.
A receiver that can be made from a gas cylinder.
The container for the abrasive material is of a fairly small volume, which is made from a freon cylinder or a fire extinguisher.
The pistol is the main tool of the installation operator.
Connecting hoses.

Important! To ensure long-term operation and stable parameters of the abrasive mixture, the sandblasting machine must include a moisture separator. If a piston compressor is used, it is recommended to install an oil filtration system in the air inlet path.

A household ejector-type sandblasting machine uses the Bernoulli effect to create a vacuum in the abrasive intake path. The latter enters the mixing zone under the influence of the atmosphere.

What can sandblasting be made from?

Mixing unit. Sand for sandblasting and compressed air from the compressor come here from two hoses. The output is a ready-made air-abrasive mixture. In this case, no requirements, for example, the volume of the mixing chamber, are imposed on the unit. On this basis, you can use a regular plumbing tee to make it.
Control devices. A normal manual sandblaster should be able to adjust the air flow and the intensity of the abrasive material. In this case, no requirements are imposed on the control device. At home, this role is well performed by water ball valves made of steel.
Connection points. To connect the hoses, conventional fittings are installed on the portable sandblasting machine. They can be equipped with clamps for secure fastening. All these components are easy to buy in stores.
Receiver. This part of the design is needed to facilitate the operation of the compressor and stabilize the pressure. You will definitely need a receiver if you want to get a powerful sandblast with your own hands. This device can be made from a powder type fire extinguisher with a large housing capacity. Another option is to make a receiver from a gas cylinder.
Abrasive chamber. The components for its manufacture may differ depending on the type of installation being created. For example, an ejector-type mini sandblasting machine is assembled with a plastic bottle for abrasive. A pressure installation will require a durable container made from a fire extinguisher or a freon cylinder.

Important! The connection diagram for moisture separation and oil collection devices depends on the specific product purchased for this purpose. However, most of the models on the market will only require the manufacture of an outlet from a plumbing tee onto which the hose fittings are mounted.

Algorithm for making sandblasting from a gas cylinder or fire extinguisher

ball valves, 2 pcs;
freon cylinder, gas or fire extinguisher;
a piece of pipe to create a funnel for pouring abrasive into the chamber;
tees, 2 pcs;
hoses with internal diameters of 10 and 14 mm for releasing abrasive and supplying air from the compressor, respectively;
fittings and clamps for fastening hoses;
plumbing fum tape for connecting structural elements.

Sandblasting is produced according to the following algorithm.

The camera is being prepared. To do this, gas is released from the fire extinguisher or powder is poured out, and the contents are removed from any cylinders under pressure.
Holes are made in the cylinder. From above - for pouring abrasive (corresponding to the diameter of the selected tube), from below - for welding the tap.
The tap for adjusting the supply of abrasive can be tightly welded into the cylinder. Another option is to pre-install an adapter onto which the regulator is screwed.
After the tap, using fum tape, a tee and mixing unit are installed.
A tap is mounted on the cylinder valve, followed by a tee.

The assembly of the main structure is completed by welding wheels or carrying handles. Support legs will also help so that the sandblaster is not only mobile, but also stable.

What to make a nozzle and gun from

A homemade sandblasting gun is also not difficult. It can be made using a nozzle on a ball water valve installed at the end of the air-abrasive mixture supply hose. This output element is a clamping nut that secures the nozzle for ejecting the abrasive.

The last structural element - the nozzle - can be made of metal by turning the part on a lathe. However, it makes more sense to make the nozzle from a spark plug. To do this, the old part is cut with a grinder, separating the durable ceramic pillar from the metal structural elements and forming a suitable length.

Important! The process of separating the desired part of the candle inevitably results in the formation of a huge amount of dust and an unpleasant odor. Therefore, if you do not have the skills to work with an angle grinder and a workshop, it is recommended to buy a ceramic nozzle in a store.

It is worth especially noting: homemade designs often show better results than a ready-made sandblasting gun, many models of which are presented in retail sales. Therefore, it is wise to spend time creating your own solution, which does not require significant financial investments.

Alternative manufacturing methods

The many options for homemade sandblasting are determined by the needs of the owners and the different materials available. You can make your own effective installation using products intended for other work. For example, a high-pressure washer unit will help you assemble a dust-free sandblasting machine with your own hands. Below are several working and effective options for homemade installations.

From a pressure washer

You can assemble a sandblaster from Karcher. This car wash creates high water pressure with low water flow. To obtain an efficiently operating dust-free installation, you just need to assemble a special nozzle for the outlet tube. Required:

a self-made or store-bought ceramic nozzle;
reinforced hose;
mixing block, a tee with a suitable fit diameter is suitable;
feed adjustment unit, cylindrical type dispenser;
a tube for collecting abrasive, equipped with an air supply path into a closed container with sand or other material.

Water sandblasting from Karcher operates on an ejector circuit. High-pressure water passing through the mixing unit at high speed creates a vacuum in the abrasive supply path. Sand flows in and out with high pressure fluid.

The water sandblaster of this design has some features.

The flow intensity is high with low water flow. This allows the installation to be used for glass, frosting or other processing.
For stable feeding, an abrasive of uniform dispersion and small fraction must be used. For domestic use, fine, sifted river sand is suitable.

From a blow gun

Small and efficient - this is how sandblasting from a blow gun can be described. This device will allow you to carry out, for example, body work with fairly high efficiency. However, the performance depends entirely on the compressor used. To assemble the device you will need:

ready-made pneumatic blow gun;
plumbing tee;
ball valve for adjusting the abrasive supply;
outlet nozzle with clamping nut.

The design is not complicated. How to assemble it can be seen in the next photo.

Compressor designs for self-production

The main types of air compressors that you can make yourself are:

Piston - in them the piston makes a reciprocating movement. The operation is controlled by the intake and exhaust valves. Such devices are most widespread.

Screw - compression and pushing of gas is carried out by two screws that rotate towards each other. The space between the rotating shafts decreases, so the gas entering it is compressed.

Diaphragm - they have a crank mechanism, it acts on the membrane through the drive fluid. As in piston devices, valves are responsible for the suction and injection of gas. The productivity of such installations is low, although they can create quite strong pressure.

Gears have a chamber in which the gears rotate towards each other. The compressed gas moves around the periphery. Such devices have good performance, but high pressure can only be developed when working with liquids.

Rotary-vane - they have a rotor and a stator. The stator is a hollow cylinder with polished internal surfaces. The rotor has grooves in which the plates move. As it rotates, the volume in the space between the moving and stationary elements constantly changes. The compressed gas is pushed into the supply line. So far, such installations have not become widespread. The problem is the seal between the plates and the walls.

How to assemble a sandblasting chamber at home?

If you often work with small parts, it is recommended to make a sandblasting chamber yourself. For comfortable and safe work with parts in this design, you will need to make protective glass on the top edge of the container.

For greater convenience, you can make it at an angle. Protective glass is extremely important when working with a camera, because consumables flying out under pressure can seriously damage the skin. This is also why you should handle parts strictly wearing safety glasses.

It is impossible to process parts with bare hands in a sandblasting chamber, so gloves are attached to the side edges of the container, and the homemade sandblasting itself, made with your own hands, is carried out and attached inside the chamber.

Gloves and protective glass wear out over time, so it's worth stocking up on them in advance. It is also strongly recommended to choose them from those made from high-quality materials, because this will not only extend their service life and will not distract you during work, but will also protect you from injury.

Note!

DIY vices: simple and reliable homemade vices from A to Z (190 photos)
Do-it-yourself vibrating table - selection of materials, components and assemblies for a vibrating table with a step-by-step manufacturing description
Do-it-yourself grain crusher - operating principle, types and features of creating a device for processing grain crops

What can a compressor unit be made of?

The installation uses a number of auxiliary devices. They are needed to regulate the work process and supply compressed air.

1 – pipeline for filling oil; 2 – starting relay; 3 – piston compressor; 4 – copper-plated pipelines; 5 – reinforced hoses; 6 – air filter; 7 – filter for liquids and fuels and lubricants; 8 – suction hole; 9 – pressure control relay; 10 – distributor; 11 – safety device; 12 – tee; 13 – receiver (capacity for accumulating compressed gas); 14 – pressure gauge installed on the pressure reducer; 15 – compressed air dryer (oil and moisture condenser); 16 – pneumatic automatic engine start.

A compressor unit can be assembled from individual components; they are used to complete the device being created. It is worth considering what and how the structure is assembled.