Off the Trailer
- Thread starter mrudman850
- Start date
Its not the Sand Blaster that has a psi rating, they all run between 90 and 120 psi. What you have to worry about is having a compressor that can keep up with job, a sand blaster is an air hog. I have a Campbell Hausfeld sand blaster from Amazon, basically the same thing as from HF, less than $20. It works great but I only use it for small jobs, my job-site compressor only has a 4 gallon tank, 120V... It just can't keep up with the air demand.
Long story, I'll keep it short... I had a 80 gallon 220V compressor from SEARS, it lasted two weeks. I was disgusted and returned it, not wanting an exchange. Also, the 'blasting media' (black 80 grit sand) can run $60 to $80 a bag! Even if you go rent a big compressor for a weekend, the cost of that plus the sand just makes it worth it to take it to a yard and have it professionally done. I paid $125 in So Cal, Stingy Sailor got his done for $80 up in WA... Be careful, Hawk got gouged in FL and they charged him $225. Anyway, you just have to run the numbers and see what is a better value for your time/money.
FYI, if you already have a big compressor and you only have to buy a $20 blaster, you can get away with using cheap Home Depot sand bags. Paver Sand is usually a good grit and what you want to look for is consistent size sand with no chunks that clog the hose. Also, put a moisture filter in-line on the hose; I have two, a big one just after the compressor and a small one at the blaster gun connection. Keeping the air dry will prevent getting the sand wet which clogs the feed tube or the gun.
Just to confirm range I paid $100.00 to have mine done -- also in Eastern, WA. Paid cash-- and quite sure my Benjamin went into the beer fund jar
I'm investigating going this route. I don't want to epoxy and fair until next fall so I may defer
If you do have a big compressor or can borrow one from a neighbor for free... And you can get the sand cheap, like the stuff T-Cat quoted... Sandblasting at home is a great idea since you don't have the hassle of lugging that 500 lb keel into a truck and then down to wherever and back again. An auto engine hoist (cherry picker) is a great tool to lift it by the keel pin and be able to blast all sides. Its good to splash it down with acetone to rinse off the dust, displace water vapor, and then you get the epoxy on it right away. With all the tools and supplies on-hand and one assistant you can literally do the job in a single day.
https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/concrete-cement-masonry/bagged-concrete-cement-mortar/black-blast-blasting-sand/p-1444445322601.htm
This is what I used. Took about 2.5 bags. They also sell the sandblaster. I have a 2HP 110volt compressor. For the most part it kept up OK.
I did not try to fair it. Just painted over the slightly porous surface with cold galvanizing paint from a rattle can. I did it because I had noticed the boat was not as fast as it had been the year before. Even though the surface is not glass smooth, my speed did return. The surface was very typical of a cast surface. In my case, that seemed to be good enough.
This is what I used. Took about 2.5 bags. They also sell the sandblaster. I have a 2HP 110volt compressor. For the most part it kept up OK.
I did not try to fair it. Just painted over the slightly porous surface with cold galvanizing paint from a rattle can. I did it because I had noticed the boat was not as fast as it had been the year before. Even though the surface is not glass smooth, my speed did return. The surface was very typical of a cast surface. In my case, that seemed to be good enough.
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