what changes in a sandblast gun to make it more economical on air?

[steveo3002]

http://www.angloscotabrasives.co.uk/blast_guns_page.htm

looking at thier bhe7 gun , says it will run off the small hobby compressors and someone off a forum has also reccomend it does work well a while back

just wondering what would they have changed to make it work off the small compressors ? as i already own a gun and would have a bash at adapting that instead

 

[brightspark]

nothing changes on a suction gun apart from jet size ,heres one i made

 

[DanielW]

It will work but the smaller compressors run out of air pretty fast on grit/sandblasting.

I think the change would be in a smaller tungsten nozzle?

 

[steveo3002]

yeah i realise it will still be dependant on the small compressor , but would still be nice to be able to blast the odd small item once in a blue moon

 

[brightspark]

its the air blast jet that has to be reduced not the output nozzle

 

[rtbcomp]

For the BHE7 you have the option of 1.5mm, 2.5mm and 3mm air jets. The smallest one is used with 1.5hp compressors.

So you will have to fit a smaller air jet to yours.

EDIT - you have the choice between 4.5mm and 6mm abrasive nozzles.

 

[optima21]

its the nozzles and air jets that they change (tells you on their page) but here's a pic of them too, the BHE7 ones are on the right

 

[steveo3002]

do you own one optima? i think it might have been you that suggested it sometime ago , id bookmarked thier page for when i had some ££ to spend

 

[optima21]

yes I do, its pretty slow going with it on a 2.5hp compressor though, but I find that running it at 70psi it will work continiuously, but its better to remove as much rust as possible by other means first.

 

[steveo3002]

ah good stuff i think i might get it , hoping the pot can be used off my aldi one

 

[marlinspike]

I would be interested in knowing how you get on. I bought the Aldi sand blasting kit when I got my Aldi compressor and it was completely useless. I think I have also read on here that there are other ways of producing more oomph from the compressor like a bigger diameter airline, changing the euro fittings for others etc., but haven't really got my head round that as yet.

 

[brightspark]

I would be interested in knowing how you get on. I bought the Aldi sand blasting kit when I got my Aldi compressor and it was completely useless. I think I have also read on here that there are other ways of producing more oomph from the compressor like a bigger diameter airline, changing the euro fittings for others etc., but haven't really got my head round that as yet.

u cant get more air out of the compressor than it can produce but u can increase the size of your fittings and hoses so it so doesnt restrict the flow of air from the tank to your tools

 

[rtbcomp]

.......... changing the euro fittings for others etc., .........

The Euro fittings are probably better than the standard PCL ones.