The best sandblasting machines TOP 11 popular models in 2022

A sandblasting machine is a device that organizes the most powerful supply of sand-air mixture (abrasive). He prepares the abrasive, regulates the intensity of its consumption, and forms a “torch” with the required characteristics from sand and air. Used for cleaning metal, wood, plastic and concrete surfaces from dirt, paint and rust. It works in conjunction with injection equipment - a pneumatic compressor or a high-pressure water pump.

The operating principle is based on an ejector or pressure abrasive supply circuit. The pneumatic compressor can serve both ejector and injection circuits; hydraulic pump - only ejector and only in a special design. Each case has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, there is no single correct or universal blasting apparatus. When choosing a sandblasting machine, you should take into account the specifics (conditions, volumes, required processing accuracy) of the work. For normal work with sandblasting, the correct compressor is important - a compressor with a small receiver simply will not have time to pump in a sufficient amount of air. Read about choosing the right compressor in a separate article.

Dry fine-grained materials – quartz sand – are used as an abrasive; slag powders; glass, cast iron or steel shot (in order of increasing particle strength). Small abrasive particles in size do not exceed microcraters of oxidized metal in areas of corrosion. Therefore, they do not sand (like a metal brush or sandpaper), but knock out the rust. Reducing time and improving processing quality.

Pay attention to the following video. The effectiveness of a sandblasting machine in removing rust, dirt and abrasion-resistant coatings is many times higher than that of any other method:

The capabilities of the equipment are in demand by both amateurs and professionals. Scope of application of these devices:

• auto body repair;
• decorative design of glass (mirrors);
• polished stone processing;
• and other similar works

The potential of a jet cleaning apparatus is limited by the capabilities of a pneumatic compressor (air method) or a high-pressure washer (water jet method). The only advantage of waterjet cleaning (and even then, only for an amateur who has a high-pressure washer and does not need to process large volumes) is the low price of the sandblasting nozzle. In other cases, the low profitability of the cleaning process does not allow the use of this method.

The level of comfort and accuracy of working with the device is determined by the spraying elements:

• for most devices this is a “gun” (nozzle holder);
• for dust-free ones - a design with a circular brush, an integrated nozzle and an outlet for a vacuum cleaner;
• for stationary models - working chambers with a fixed sprayer;
• high-pressure washers have a nozzle with an additional abrasive tube.

The sandblasting machine is structurally simple; it can be assembled independently in a home-made environment. For amateur work, a similar device may be sufficient:

If you need a more serious device, my article will help you make a first impression about the most popular models on the market. In this article I will reveal the nuances of the device and operation:

• sandblasting machines for a “garage” auto repair shop;
• professional equipment for stationary and mobile services.

When choosing a device, pay attention to the following characteristics:
Table of main criteria for choosing sandblasting machines

The performance of jet cleaning devices stated in the documentation is a reference value, because the real indicator is determined by the current combination of many factors and is completely unstable.

This article will cover the following models:
Summary table of sandblasting equipment models

Rating of sandblasting machines

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What is sandblasting and where is it used?

Today, in any hardware store you can find equipment suitable for home and work. Users of such a device are usually:

• workshops engaged in engraving or electroplating;
• enterprises working with pipelines;
• companies for glass processing, matting, and the formation of complex patterns on the surface;
• service stations where you can paint the body and repair the car.

In addition to these, a sandblaster is an important tool in shipyards and small workshops where woodworking is carried out. Also, such a device will come in handy for various utility companies whose task is to clean facades and other building structures.

The general mechanics of the installations remain unchanged. The device acts on the surface using an abrasive. He, in turn, comes out in the process at tremendous speed. The particles that come out literally tear scale and rust off the metal and knock out small grains of sand from the glass.

Important! Treatment with steel balls will make the material smoother due to the effect of leveling the surface and strengthening it with impact.

Do-it-yourself sandblasting: how to assemble a useful tool from scrap materials

Before finishing the surface, it must be cleaned of dirt and old coating. Anyone who has ever prepared walls for painting or removed rust from metal can imagine how much effort and time this process takes. If you do this manually, the result is not always satisfactory. A sandblaster is a device that polishes a surface with sand. Making sandblasting with your own hands is not such a difficult task.

A sandblaster is a device that can be used to clean any surface with sand.

Choosing a sandblasting machine

Now the market offers a large number of sandblasting machines that can be used to treat the surface of any object. They differ not only in appearance, but also in technical characteristics and cost.

When making a choice, a potential buyer should pay attention to several important characteristics:

• tank volume;
• type of device;
• shutter type adjustment;
• installation mobility;
• ease of use.
• presence of remote control.

Classification

Today, two classifications of sandblasters are offered. The first classification divides the device into three types according to where it is used:

Another type of classification is based on the method of supplying the abrasive:

Principle of operation

Sandblasting equipment is used to process metal, stone and glass surfaces. To understand how effective such devices are, you need to know their operating principle:

1. Using a compressor, pressure is built up and air flows into the tank. It is pre-filled with abrasive material.
2. The air mixes with small solid particles. The master opens the valve.
3. The mixture is supplied to the gun through the connecting hose.
4. After pressing the trigger, the abrasive is supplied to the working surface through the gun nozzle.

The speed of sandblasting depends on various factors: compressor power, diameter of connecting hoses, nozzle size. We must not forget about the capacity of the hopper for abrasive material. The larger the volume, the less often you need to add new powder consisting of durable particles.

What to look for when choosing a sandblaster

For simple and low-volume work, such as removing paint, sanding wood, frosting glass, an injection type of equipment with a productivity of up to 5 m² per hour is suitable. In this case, an overly powerful compressor is not needed, but special attention should be paid to the design of the gun.

For large-scale work, a pressure apparatus will be required. Its main characteristic is the volume of the abrasive capacity. After all, the larger it is, the fewer downloads you will have to perform. Most often, containers are designed for 100, 150 and 200 liters. However, it should be borne in mind that devices that are too bulky are difficult to transport.

It’s good if the sandblaster has remote control. This increases its safety during operation.

Compressor

This part of the sandblasting machine is responsible for the power of the entire unit. Its main parameter is pressure. It should be at least 6-8 atm.

There are two types of compressors: piston and screw.

1. The piston type is a common one; as a rule, one gets acquainted with the operation of such a unit. A small jet is compensated by installing such a compressor in small-sized devices.
2. Screw compressor - it is more powerful and produces a larger jet. Such a compressor is mounted in large-sized devices.

Container for ambrosia

The volume of the device is selected taking into account the power of the compressor. Low compressor power leads to a small tank volume (up to 30 l). Average power – capacities up to 140 liters. High power indicators are found in devices with capacities up to 250 liters.

Gun

The performance of the device and the ease of use largely depend on this detail. If the nozzle diameter is larger, the jet power will be less, but the processing speed will be higher. If the nozzle diameter is smaller, the opposite is true. According to this logic, you need to choose the most suitable pistol.

Step-by-step assembly of sandblasting with your own hands

After all the parts necessary for manufacturing have been prepared, we proceed directly to assembly. First you need to completely empty the cylinder of gas. To do this, unscrew the valve and wait until the gas comes out completely. You need to be extremely careful, because if you ignore this stage, unpleasant consequences are possible. To be sure that the gas has completely left the cylinder, it is recommended to insert a hose previously connected to the compressor. Then the gas mixture is completely pumped out.

After the tank is completely empty, you need to make 2 holes in it: one at the bottom of the tank (1.2 cm in diameter), the second on the opposite side. It is in the second hole that a 2-inch tap will be installed. A pipe of the same diameter is also attached here. Then the following steps are performed:

The nozzle attached to the hose must be secured with a clamp.

1. A DU-15 steel tee is welded to the bottom of the cylinder, where the sand will collect. Only high-quality welding will ensure the tightness of the connection.
2. To ensure stability of the structure, a tripod should be welded or the wheels should be secured. The second option will greatly facilitate the transportation of the device from place to place.
3. After completing the frame manufacturing work, they begin fastening small components. A fitting is placed on each thread, and all functional units are sealed with fum tape. It is important to ensure that all connections are tight.
4. Threaded bushings are mounted on the open ends of the installed tee. One of the outlets of the pipe is closed with a 14 mm hose, and the second with a copper tube with a diameter of 10 mm. A reinforced sleeve is attached to the copper pipe.
5. A 14 mm fitting is connected to the valve on the cylinder. Then you need to take a 14 mm hose and fix it (using a collet clamp) to the cylinder, the other edge is attached to the tee with a clamp.
6. A sleeve is mounted on the remaining free end of the tee, connecting the tee mixer with the nozzle.

At the last stage, the compressor is connected to the mixer using a 10 mm hose, after which you can try to connect the installation and begin operation. If it is necessary to increase the sand supply power, an additional fitting is attached to the container, the other end of which is connected to the compressor.

Safety precautions

A person working with a sandblasting machine must always take into account safety rules.

When working, you need to follow three very simple rules.

1. Protect skin and eyes. Since abrasive particles fly out of the device at great speed, you need to use a closed helmet to avoid severe damage to the skin. Getting particles into the eyes is especially dangerous.

2. Protect your respiratory system. While working with a sandblasting machine, the owner of such equipment may notice the creation of a powerful dust stream that can enter a person’s lungs, causing allergies and inflammation. To prevent this, it is necessary to use respiratory protection. The simplest option is a breathing mask with filters. Some people prefer air-supplied helmets, like those worn by scuba divers.

3. Protect your hearing. A sandblasting machine is a tool that creates a lot of noise during operation. Its source is the compressor. If the user remains in the work area for too long, he may suffer injury to the middle or inner ear. To avoid this, you need to use protective sound-absorbing headphones.

Important! When working indoors, care must be taken to ensure proper operation of the ventilation system.

If the sandblasting machine is used correctly and safety rules are followed, the equipment will last for many years, and the person himself will avoid injury.

Do-it-yourself sandblasting using a fire extinguisher

When using a cylinder for a fire extinguisher, the result is almost the same device as in the case of a gas cylinder, only of a more compact size. The disadvantage of this design is the small sand container, which will need to be constantly filled. Significant advantages are the compact size and convenient transportation of the device.

On a note! Making a sandblast from a fire extinguisher is much easier due to the fact that the valve is much easier to unscrew than when using a gas cylinder.

As in the gas cylinder design, you will need to make a hole in the bottom of the fire extinguisher to fill it with sand. Then a threaded fitting is attached to the hole made. To make the structure more stable, it is recommended to weld metal legs to the cylinder. This technique will also help ensure that the hose is connected from below.

To create a complete structure, you will need to purchase a set of fittings and a tap. In general, the finished installation will look like this:

• a tap is installed at the outlet of the fire extinguisher cylinder;
• on the left side there is an output where the compressor will be connected;
• on the right, the exit for the sandblasting hose is being prepared.

Also, to create a sandblaster from a fire extinguisher, you will need to purchase a set of fittings and a tap.
Then you need to connect a compressor to the device, and also install a sandblasting gun purchased or made by yourself. The resulting small device is considered an ideal option for performing small jobs.

Pros and cons of using sandblasting machines

This device is used everywhere - in the garage, in home workshops and in factories. It has many advantages and disadvantages.

pros

1. High cleaning speed. Not only human experience is responsible for this, but also the device itself, or rather the configuration embedded in it.
2. Large selection of abrasives. Sandblasting equipment supports the operation of their equipment on a variety of abrasives.
3. Ability to work with different materials. The device can work with any tile and any wooden floor, which is important.
4. Quick removal of irregularities. To do this, it is worth using high-quality, albeit not always cheap, devices.

Minuses

1. The person using the sandblaster must have some skills. He should be dressed in all things that cover his skin to avoid problems.
2. If you produce something on an industrial scale, you need not only people, but also friendship with those who are ready to provide more.

Types and types of abrasives for surface treatment

The main consumable for work is abrasive, under the influence of which the surface is cleaned. Sand simply taken from the river bank will not be suitable for this purpose, because it has a heterogeneous composition, and its particles are unequal in size and shape. All this will subsequently affect the quality of the treated surface. In addition, large grains of sand break down and turn into dust during the cleaning process, and the abrasive itself very quickly becomes unusable, so it needs to be constantly renewed.

First of all, you need to remember that only special types of abrasive are suitable for high-quality cleaning. Often this is not only sand, but also other suitable materials of artificial and natural origin. The choice of option will depend on the specifics of the work. The main parameters in this case are:

• hardness;
• size;
• form.

On a note! In most countries, it is prohibited to use ordinary quartz sand for sandblasting, because quartz particles upon impact with metal turn into dust, which can cause severe pulmonary diseases. In addition to affecting the health of the sandblaster, the dust can harm others, even those far from the work site.

Sandblasting machines use such types of sand as river, quarry and industrial quartz.

In general, the design of a sandblasting machine involves the use of such types of sand as:

1. Regular river. The material must be sieved to obtain a homogeneous composition.
2. Career. Somewhat finer than river material, but in addition to sifting, the material requires additional washing.
3. Industrial quartz. A derivative of ordinary sand, obtained by sifting and dividing into fractions. The cost is 3 times more expensive than the river one.
4. Special crushed abrasive. Obtained as a result of crushing quartz rocks. High efficiency in this case is ensured by the acute-angled shape of the grains, which has a good effect on the surface.