DIY sandblasting machine. Do-it-yourself sandblasting chamber - a useful and inexpensive device Do-it-yourself sandblasting box

A sandblasting machine is a device used to degrease and clean finished parts, as well as frost and engrave glass.

The finished device is expensive, so there is an excellent alternative: making a sandblasting machine yourself. Such an installation will not be inferior in quality to expensive equipment and can be easily assembled from scrap materials.

The principle of operation of the device is to push the abrasive out of the gun nozzle under high pressure. Thus, the sand jet cleans the surface being treated: removes rust and matts the glass.

Photo of homemade sandblaster:

Components of a sandblasting machine

The main components of a sandblasting device:

• a compressor that supplies air under pressure;
• abrasive container: plastic bottle, gas cylinder;
• air duct;
• reinforced hose;
• abrasive fraction;
• gearbox;
• abrasive spray gun.

The design of the gun includes the following parts: mixer, nozzle, levers for supplying compressed air and abrasive.

It is better to purchase a ready-made compressor, since it is quite difficult to make a device with your own hands that would supply particles at a speed of 500 liters per minute. In addition, the air supply motor must have an automatic subcooling mode.

The nozzle is an important part of the device. It must be made of heavy-duty material: boron or tungsten carbide. Ceramic and cast iron nozzles are short-lived: they fail after several hours of operation. However, if one-time processing is carried out, then it is enough to use a cheap ceramic nozzle.

Sand sifted through a sieve is usually used as an abrasive at home. Depending on the desired result, choose a small or large fraction from 0.5 to 3 mm. Use regular river sand– undesirable. It is better to take sand rock from quarries.

Often used at home baking soda. It perfectly polishes and cleans surfaces. But for large areas it is not advisable to use soda, since you will need a lot of it. For fine and delicate processing, ready-made mixtures are used.

Basic designs of sandblasting machines

Depending on the nature of the work, use different kinds sandblasting machines. For decorative glass processing, a sandblasting chamber is required.

Devices are used to clean parts open type. Open type devices, depending on the method of abrasive supply, are divided into the following types:

• pressure;
• injection;

The drawings of these installations show significant differences between them.

The principle of operation of the pressure apparatus is to supply air both inside the installation and into the dispenser of the container with sand. The air flows are mixed and then compressed gas enters the hose with the nozzle. The last element sets the shape and pressure of the sand stream. The pressure apparatus is used to process large surfaces during long hours of work.

Pressure installation diagram:

In an injection device, air and sand move through different hoses. As a result, a low pressure is created, which is optimal for short-term work.

Injection installation diagram:

The best scheme for homemade sandblasting is a suction apparatus with an injection supply of abrasive.

Sandblasting machine from a gas cylinder

A fairly popular device for cleaning large surfaces is a homemade sandblaster made from a gas cylinder.

Photo of a sandblasting device from a gas cylinder:

To build this design, you will need the following details:

• propane or freon gas cylinder;
• compressor, power up to 3 kW and capacity up to 500 l/min.
• ball valves that regulate the passage of abrasive and air;
• line segment steel pipe from the water supply 2 inches with thread and plug; serving as a funnel for pouring sand;
• tee with thread DN 15;
• rubber hose up to 2 m and with a diameter of 14 mm;
• a piece of hose, 5 m long, with a diameter of 10 mm;
• gas hose 5 meters long and with an internal passage of 10 mm;
• fittings and clamps for hoses;
• nozzle made of high-strength material;
• FUM tape for sealing and eliminating corrosion on metal parts.

You can grind the nozzle (injector) yourself, but it is better to buy a ready-made one. This is a critical part that provides the necessary jet pressure and its direction. The nozzle should be made of boron or tungsten carbide, since the ceramic part will quickly wear out and become unusable.

The nozzle can be purchased ready-made or made by yourself. To make the nozzle, take a metal rod 30 mm long and 10 mm in diameter. The internal hole in it should be bored to 2.5 mm for a length of 20 mm. The remaining part of the rod is bored to a larger diameter - 6.5 mm.

The equipment assembly process occurs according to the following scheme:

1. Drain the gas from the cylinder and unscrew the valve. There should be no gas left in the container, as this is fraught with dangerous consequences. To thoroughly clean the gas, insert a hose into it, which is connected to a compressor, and pump out the remaining air.
2. Two holes are made in an empty tank: one at the bottom of the cylinder, with a diameter of 12 mm, and the second, opposite, in the place of the tap, with a diameter of 2 inches. The inlet pipe should have exactly the same diameter.
3. At the bottom of the cylinder, where the sand will drain, a steel tee DN 15 is welded. The welding should ensure good tightness of the connection.
4. In order for the structure to stand stably on the floor, a tripod or small wheels should be welded to the bottom of the cylinder. The wheelbase will make it easier to deport the device when transporting it from place to place.
5. When the main frame of the device is ready, installation is carried out small parts. Fittings are screwed onto the threaded parts of the pipes. The joints are sealed with FUM tape to make the structure airtight.
6. Threaded bushings are installed on the open ends of the tee. At one outlet of the pipe a hose with a diameter of 14 mm is screwed in, and at the other - copper tube, with a diameter of 10 mm. A reinforced hose is attached to the copper pipe.
7. Next, a 14 mm fitting is connected to the cylinder valve. Then they take a hose with a diameter of 14 mm and fix it with a collet clamp at the cylinder, and the other end of the hose is attached to a clamp at the tee.
8. A sleeve is attached to the free end of the tee, which connects the tee mixer and the nozzle of the device.
9. The mixer is connected to the compressor using a hose with a diameter of 10 mm.

When the structure is fully assembled, you can safely connect the compressor and start using the homemade unit.

To enhance the operation of the device, you can connect another fitting to the sand tank, the other end of which is connected to the compressor.

Sandblasting device of simplified design

Based on the injection assembly, you can make a mini sandblasting machine from a polyethylene (PET) bottle with a volume of 1.5 liters.

Photo of a homemade sandblasting gun:

For a homemade injection device that resembles a pistol, you will need:

• PET bottle;
• ball valve;
• tee connector;
• valve from the spray gun;
• nozzle;
• compressor.

The compressor is designed to supply air. This device must be purchased ready-made.

Step-by-step assembly instructions:

1. Turn the gun body to the dimensions of the nozzle on lathe.
2. Attach a tee-mixer to the body. One of the fittings is connected to the compressor. It serves to move air, and a nozzle is mounted to the other end of the tee to suck in air. A bottle with abrasive is mounted on the third outlet of the mixer.
3. Supplied from the compressor to the gun compressed air.
4. The ball valve is located between the bottle and the tee.
5. The movement of air masses is carried out through the handle of the spray gun, which is connected to the tee.
6. The top of the tank is cut off and abrasive is poured there.
7. By simply pressing the trigger, a stream of sand is released onto the desired surface.

Such a simple device is suitable for one-time use or for short-term processing of small parts - up to 20-30 minutes. In this case, a ceramic nozzle can be used.

Sandblasting chamber

For sandblasting objects small size or vice versa - large surfaces, use a sandblasting chamber. This device allows you to save abrasive material by preventing it from scattering in the air.

Sandblasting camera photo:

It is represented by a metal rectangular box. The structure is made from metal profiles And thin plywood. The outside of the tank is lined with steel sheets. The design is compact, as it even fits on a table.

A viewing glass can be made on one side of the chamber. Holes with a diameter of 10 cm are made in the same wall for gloves. They put their hands into these gloves and perform the necessary actions.

The bottom of the box is lined with wire mesh. There is a tray under the grate onto which the used abrasive is poured.

The chamber is equipped with a gun that releases abrasive powder onto the surfaces being treated. Therefore, in one of the walls of the chamber it is necessary to make a hole for a hose through which air will flow to the gun.

The sand hose can be placed in a tank containing this abrasive. This is necessary for a continuous process: the used sand enters the reservoir, from which the next cycle will occur along the hose.

A closing hatch is made in one of the sides for supplying parts. For convenience, the chamber is illuminated, which allows you to easily control the process. To process the part, you need to put your hands in rubber gloves located inside the chamber and use a sandblasting gun.

Thus, using homemade sandblasting you can make high-quality processing surfaces and parts. However, improper assembly of the unit may result in injury. To prevent this from happening, you need to purchase high-quality spare parts and carry out installation according to the instructions.

The need for effective surface cleaning various products before painting them, suggests the idea of ​​purchasing or making your own sandblasting chamber. These devices, different in size and purpose, will be quite appropriate both in car service stations and in household.

Types of cameras

The sandblasting chamber can be local or volumetric (inhabited). Local chambers are designed for processing small products. Habitable chambers have a large internal volume, where you can place, for example, the body of a car.

When working, the operator is inside such a chamber, so he will need a set of certain protective accessories - a helmet, glasses, gloves for sandblasting, etc. However, it is also possible to remotely control the process of such cleaning (more on this later). In local chambers, sandblasting is performed by creating a working space inside low blood pressure

air. Under conditions of such artificial rarefaction, due to the pressure difference, a sand jet is ejected from the nozzle with the required speed and pressure. By moving the nozzle tip along a certain trajectory, the operator processes the surface of the workpiece. Naturally, in such ejection chambers it is easy to clean small products.

1. Advantages of local cameras:
2. Compactness. Low financial and material costs for.
3. self-production Increased security working, and.
4. environment
5. Reduced energy costs since low suction compressor power is required.

Convenience and ease of sand regeneration for reuse. Inhabited cameras solve larger problems. Their volume must be very accurately calculated in order not only to freely position the object being cleaned inside and provide places for the worker to move, but also to ensure the necessary air exchange. Residential type sandblasting chambers operate on the pumping principle powerful compressor), sand consumption and loss increases. Another problem is the disposal of sand contaminated with cleaning products, which, in turn, requires the presence of effective filter systems.

Buy or make a homemade sandblasting chamber?

For a habitable sandblasting booth, the answer is no: there is too much to consider during the design and manufacturing process of the installation. Moreover, the profile sector of the market is replete with various offers adapted to the desired performance and final energy costs. For example, the price of an inhabited pressure-type sandblasting chamber agreed with individual requirements customer starts from 1.8...2.0 million rubles.

The set of such equipment includes:

1. Housing (it can be made of profiled steel or sandwich panels).
2. A gateway equipped with swing double-leaf gates(in pass-through type cells there is a similar unit on the opposite side).
3. A grating flooring, at the bottom of which there are waste sand collection systems based on pneumatic suction.
4. Ventilation system, calculated for a certain air exchange.
5. Control and lighting systems for the work area.
6. One or more abrasive blast cleaning stations.
7. Protective equipment for workers.

Usually in standard equipment also includes systems for mechanized opening of locks and gates, additional side doors in the walls of the housing, rail tracks with a trolley (for objects that cannot move independently), etc.

Electrical circuit for remote control of a pressure-type sandblasting chamber

Manufacturers rarely provide such an option, believing that it is rarely used in inhabited cameras. Meanwhile, in a service station, where several similar jobs can be performed simultaneously, each camera will require an operator. The productivity of sandblasting cleaning of similar objects can be significantly increased by providing a remote shutdown system for volumetric chambers power plants— compressor, fans, waste collection conveyor, etc.

A set of this remote control takes into account all typical operations that are required for the normal functioning of pressure-type sandblasting units. It consists of the following elements:

• intake valve;
• exhaust valve;
• an electronic control unit that provides some functions for protecting the processing area;
• battery(battery) from any car.

The remote control circuit is mounted on the basis of a pneumatic drive. To activate this circuit, the worker presses the remote control key, after which air flow from the compressor opens the inlet valve while simultaneously closing the outlet valve. As a result, inside the pressure chamber a overpressure sufficient for sandblasting. The control relay has one normally closed and one normally open contact, which ensures fast (no more than 1...1.5 s) activation of the electrical circuit elements for the sandblasting chamber.

When the pressure is released, the relay turns off the drive for controlling the sandblasting stations. Further, if desired, the circuit can be connected to the control elements for opening gates and chamber airlocks.

DIY sandblasting chamber

The complexity of the work on manufacturing an ejector-type sandblasting chamber is significantly less. First, a technical specification is developed (what, in what volume, and by what technology will be purified). Next, installation drawings, from which you can judge the functionality of the camera. The dimensions indicated on the drawing must correspond to the area free space in the workshop where the sandblasting chamber will be installed.

Considering the power of the existing compressor (and it usually does not exceed 6...8 kW), the volume internal space The camera should not exceed (width×depth×height) 800×500×500 mm, while the front panel is usually provided with a bevel at an angle of 45° for ease of operation.

1. The front panel (made of transparent, impact-resistant plastic) should have one or two holes designed for manipulation with the sandblasting gun. The inside of the body is lined with technical rubber, and in its bottom part there is a grated flooring or a retractable tray with a pipe for collecting the waste mixture.
2. A waste separation system is mandatory (it is present in pressure-type chambers with an air exchange of more than 8000...9000 m3/h). Power ventilation units
3. (calculated from the condition that the productivity of sandblasting should be 4...4.5 times less than the productivity of fans).
4. Is there a unit for automatic cleaning of pipelines in the design (by the way, they should not be made of plastic: this material can change its characteristics depending on temperature, which negatively affects the values ​​of pneumatic resistance and the actual performance of the installation).
5. Materials adopted for wall cladding (the higher their elastic characteristics, the more effective the cleaning is).
6. Availability of useful additional options(trolley, rail track, etc.).

The price of the basic configuration of a pressure-type sandblasting chamber should also take into account the presence of several sets of gloves for the sandblasting chamber, protective masks, helmets, overalls and shoes for operators.

In the age of discovery and high technology The present invention is considered to be a sandblasting chamber. With its help you can clean any surface. This unique method helps combat such pressing problems like scale, rust, old paint And so on. In addition, this type of surface treatment is used when applying anti-corrosion materials. Sandblasting is ideal for the surface of stones, glass, metal products and even teeth. The principle of operation is quite simple - a strong air stream sprays abrasive powder or sand, cleaning the damaged areas from all kinds of deposits. There is also waterjet processing, which is based on the use of water or other liquid.

Sandblasting chamber TL28589

Sandblasting is a technology for cleaning surfaces with abrasives.

The use of sandblasting surfaces has already for a long time is popular and does not lose its relevance. When deep cleaning metal structures or facades, oil stains, rust, burnt marks, mold, soot and scale disappear. This technology allows you to remove all excess from the surface and prepare it for further processing. The equipment is also used for complete degreasing of a given area.

Cleaning technology involves using compressed air combined with abrasive particles. By using special equipment high pressure air is supplied, acting on the surface and removing unnecessary particles from it. With low pressure and gentle types of abrasive, you can gently clean modern composite materials that require careful handling, for example, the surface of an airplane, car, boat, helicopter, and others.

Cleaning technology is constantly being improved, and manufacturers are releasing new abrasives for various surfaces.

Principle of operation

Before using abrasive surface cleaning, you must first understand how this equipment works. The operating principle of sandblasting is as follows:

• To begin with, the surface is cleaned by removing layers of dirt and plaque with a dry abrasive mixture, which is supplied under high pressure using special equipment.
• It is necessary to take seriously the choice of material with which the procedure will be performed, since the result is influenced by the size of the device’s hole, humidity levels and other factors.

Well-equipped camera

• When air is supplied to the unit, it combines with abrasive masses.
• Next, under high pressure, the compound is supplied to the desired surface from the “gun” of the device.
• The master must be prepared for the fact that when working with a sandblasting machine, deformation of the abrasive cleaning nozzle occurs.

After completion of the procedure, the surface is cleaned using air supply.

Features of sandblasting

The main feature of sandblasting is the wide range of tasks where it can be used. Today, using the device, you can clean almost any surface by choosing the right abrasive and method of exposure. In addition, after processing the material, its service life is automatically extended up to six times. This allows you to save on repairs - both current and major.

The sandblasting cleaning method allows you to degrease the surface for further processing, clean glass for decoration, and create roughness, thus “aging” the material. The advantage of this processing method is high speed, long-lasting effect, gentle effect and quick achievement of results.

DIY assembly

Buying a sandblasting camera is not a cheap pleasure. Fortunately, today anyone can make such equipment themselves, saving a significant amount of money. You can develop technical specifications yourself, but purchasing them will not be difficult. After this, drawings are created with which you can see functionality cameras. It is necessary to take into account the size of the camera and provide a place where it will be installed.

DIY sandblasting chamber

For any master, a sandblasting chamber made with his own hands will be a real pride. Drawings can also be purchased or developed independently, which is more welcome, since all the nuances and factors are taken into account. The main points that you should pay attention to are the holes; they will be used to manipulate the sandblasting “gun”, as well as technical rubber– it is recommended to sheathe the body with it. A grating and a pipe are installed inside, which will collect the waste mixture.

The sandblasting chamber is assembled from the following elements:

• Regulatory ball valve. It is necessary to control the flow of sand-air mixtures.
• Sandblasting "gun".
• Fasteners with special sealing elements.
• The nozzle is a special cone-shaped nozzle located at the end of the tube. This is what regulates the abrasives coming out. It might be easier to buy already finished part than making it yourself.

By combining all the elements together, the master will receive an excellent sandblasting chamber, ideal for his room.

Before making a sandblasting chamber, you should decide on its area of ​​application. For example, for a device that will decorate glass and mirrors in the future, a sandblasting chamber is recommended. For equipment intended for cleaning surfaces for painting or priming - an open type apparatus and preferably separate room. It is necessary to take into account the scale of production, the resources that will be put inside, the quality of the materials used, the power of the installation and its size.

Option for a homemade sandblasting chamber

The main element of this installation is the nozzle. It is recommended to purchase it. Based on the size of the element, they begin to sharpen the body of the “gun” itself. Next, attach the handle and fittings. This is the most easy option, which takes several hours to complete assembly. One of the main recommendations would be to purchase a compressor that will supply compressed air to the “gun”. As for the abrasive, sand is poured into the bottle and the process can be started. Ventilation is not required in the sandblasting chamber; as a rule, it is installed in shotblasting chambers to ensure visibility. If desired, the ventilation system can be connected through a box - the so-called exhaust duct.

Safety precautions

Whatever one may say, abrasive processing is a risk to human health. The master inhales dust and particles of material poured inside. Therefore, the main safety measures remain the protection of eyes, skin, hearing and breathing. When working with sandblasting, the particles have a speed of 650 km per hour. Improper use may result in serious personal injury to the employee.

The surface cleaning process itself is very noisy and dirty. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the master has special suit and shoes for work, wore gloves made of leather, and also did not remove the sandblasting helmet, into which purified air is supplied. The use of respiratory protection is mandatory.

Selecting the device to buy

To select a quality device, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

• A waste separation system must be present.
• A ventilation unit is welcome.

• There must be a “cyclone” that collects the smallest fractions of abrasive.
• How better material, from which the facing walls are made, the better the cleaning.
• IN good device there must be an automatic pipeline cleaning unit.
• Additional features are welcome, these include a rail track, cart, etc.
• The basic camera kit should include special gloves, a protective helmet, a mask, overalls and shoes.

Sandblasting is one of the best achievements of mankind. This method allows not only to use the device to prepare for further work, but also to use it for the purpose of decorating, cleaning and extending the service life of any surface.

Before you take on homemade sandblasting, you should answer a few questions. This approach will help avoid both unnecessary expenses and a certain amount of disappointment in the future. So, before you start assembling a sandblasting machine with your own hands, you should decide on the main purpose of the device.

If you plan to sandblast decorative glass and mirrors, the best option seems to be a sandblasting chamber. Its dimensions are determined based on the dimensions of the products with which it is intended to work. If you plan to sandblast cleaning of materials for painting and priming, then it is necessary to manufacture an open-type sandblasting machine and to work with it you need a separate closed room.

homemade sandblasting machine from gas log

At what level will the unit be operated? Amateur or professional, business-oriented? Homemade apparatus You can make it yourself. And it will be able to work even at production scales comparable to industrial ones. But the resource put into it must be of a completely different type. It all depends on the quality of the materials used, the size of the installation and its power. This should not be forgotten.

From simple to complex

diagram of a simple sandblasting machine

Let's start with the simplest thing - a sandblasting gun. In its simplest form, it is a handle with a tip and two fittings.

Compressed air is supplied one at a time, sand is sucked in through the second. Of course, it’s better not to make a sandblasting gun yourself from start to finish, but to purchase a ready-made one, especially if you plan to use the device intensively. But for home use It is quite possible to assemble from what is at hand.

First of all, you need to select a nozzle, i.e. a nozzle through which a stream of air with abrasive is ejected. There is no point in sharpening it yourself or ordering it; you will not achieve decent quality and resource. It is better to buy one made from tungsten carbide or boron. Their service life before wear is hundreds of hours, while ceramic or cast iron ones last for two to three hours of work. High abrasiveness of sand, multiplied by high speed feed leads to rapid wear of the output channel.

An example of a homemade sandblasting gun made from a valve from a spray gun, a tee, a ball valve and a ceramic nozzle from a dental machine.

The gun body is sharpened to the size of the nozzle. A handle and fittings are attached to it. The simplest option assembled from several plumbing fittings, tee and plastic container for sand - a cut plastic bottle attached to the top can serve as it.

This sandblasting installation can be assembled literally with your own hands in a few hours. Sand is poured into the bottle, the gun is connected to... Yes, compressed air is supplied to the gun from a compressor or line.

This is the first, but not the last difficulty that a novice sandblaster has to face. You will have to get a compressor, sooner or later. You can rent, of course, but this will be a temporary measure. Alternatively, you can.

Consumables

Let's assume that we have both a gun and a compressor. The time has come to take care of the abrasive as a consumable. Sand, in the usual sense, is not very suitable for the task at hand. Its composition is heterogeneous, the particles have unequal size and shape. Hence the nature of the resulting surface. In addition, grains of sand are broken down in the process, turning into dust. Very soon sand mass becomes completely unsuitable for work. In short consumables dress up buy.

The fact is that for high-quality sandblasting you need special types abrasive Often it is not even sand, but materials of artificial or natural origin. Their choice depends on the specifics of the work and is determined by the following parameters:

• hardness
• grain size and shape

After using it for some time, the author realized that its use on its own was quite limited. For processing large area it's not very effective. Decorative processing complicated by the fact that sand flies into different sides. It turns out that you need a considerable supply of it or you have to make forced stops. Thus, the idea of ​​conducting the process not on outdoors, but in a confined space.

Universal sandblasting chamber

So we moved on to the idea of ​​creating a camera for processing small parts. The design is a rectangular box, welded from metal corner and sheathed steel sheet 1 mm thick. It will be most convenient to place it on a table or stand. A glass viewing window must be provided along the long side of the chamber.

In order to allow internal manipulations, two holes with a diameter of 100 mm are made in the front wall. They secure a pair of matching gloves. Both glass and camera gloves will be subject to wear and tear, so consideration should be given to replacing them.

The bottom of the box is covered with a wire grid; underneath there is a trench that opens into a container for collecting waste sand. Air is supplied to the gun placed inside through a connector in the wall. The sand hose is lowered into the sand container. Thus, the sand is poured back during operation and does not go beyond the working area. Two lamps are used for interior lighting daylight suitable sizes. The design will be more perfect if it is supplemented with ventilation.

There is a hatch on the side through which the product is placed inside. To ensure the ability to process long workpieces, it is better to make loading windows on the sides. Covered with a tarpaulin, they will allow long products to be driven through the chamber.

Pressure type devices

If desired, you can also make a homemade pressure-type sandblasting installation. Its design is not important. Suitable for this purpose metal barrel. The bottom should be cut off and replaced with a cone. A sand seal with a tee is attached to its lower part, to which a hose from the compressor is attached on one side, and a hose with a nozzle comes off on the other.

The author also came across the design of a homemade sandblasting machine made from a fire extinguisher. Only the body of the fire extinguisher was used; a perforated tube was passed through it, after which the container was filled with sand and compressed air was supplied. It turns out to be something like an injector. The design is simple, but it can only be recommended as an amateur device.

The above constructions only describe general scheme and operating principle. If you decide to make a homemade sandblasting machine for long-term use, you should ask: specific parameters and sit down to do the calculations - you can’t do without it. I would like to wish all home-made workers success, and sandblasters in particular.

Sandblasting is universal device, which is used in industrial and domestic conditions. With its help, you can clean the surface from a layer of old coating, dirt, and traces of corrosion.

There are several ways to become the owner of such a useful household device. The first one is to buy it already ready-made option in the shop. This is the easiest way. Its only drawback is high price. The second way is to assemble the sandblaster yourself. This will require investing some effort, but in terms of material costs, this method is much more economical.

How the device works

To understand how to do it yourself, you need to know the principle of its operation. It is similar to the operation of a spray gun used to spray paint (and other paints and varnishes).

The main element of the installation is the compressor. It pumps air, creating required pressure on all highways. As air passes through the installation, it creates a vacuum. Thanks to this, the abrasive material (sand) is mixed with air and enters the main line. From there the flow passes to the nozzle, through which it exits. At the outlet, a stream of air containing sand is created, which moves under high pressure. It is this that is directed to the surface to be treated.

The diagram of the sandblasting machine is shown in the figure.

Basic Installation Elements

Homemade sandblasting consists of the following parts:

• compressor;

• electrical cable for connecting to the electrical network;

• hoses of a certain diameter;

• fittings for connecting elements;

• taps;

• dispensers.

Nozzle

One more important element is the nozzle, without which the device will not be able to perform its intended functions. The nozzle for a sandblasting machine at the enterprise is made of steel and coated with boron or tungsten compounds. This gives the part wear resistance. Less commonly, ordinary steel, ceramics or cast iron are used for production. But such elements are quickly destroyed under the influence of a flow of abrasive material.

At home, a nozzle for a sandblaster can be turned on a lathe from steel using old spark plugs as the material. To do this, take out the metal electrode, which is located inside the candle. True, such a mechanism is characterized short term operation, because it wears out quickly. But its cost is also very low.

Types of devices

The device described above is typical for suction sandblasting equipment. But this is not the only device option. There are only 3 types of sandblasting:

• Suction. This option is easiest to make at home. It is suitable for light cleaning of surfaces. This option differs in that air takes sand from the container and delivers it in the form of a stream.

• Vacuum. This type of equipment operates in cyclic mode. This means that it is ejected to the surface through the nozzle and then sucked back into the chamber for reuse.

• Pneumatic. This type of equipment is used to work on large areas or in difficult to clean areas. A homemade sandblaster of this type is a dangerous device from a safety point of view. Therefore, it is not recommended to collect it. This is due to high pressure in the system and high power.

The supply device can be supplied with air or water. The first option is more common, since its design is simpler.

Abrasive material supply

The abrasive can be supplied in two ways different ways, depending on what sandblasting machines are divided into injection and pressure ones.

Pressure devices are characterized by high productivity and work intensity. In them, air flows simultaneously into the apparatus itself and into the container with sand.

The injection method of supplying sand is characterized by low pressure, so it is used when assembling sandblasting with your own hands. IN in this case air and abrasive material move along different lines.

What you can collect yourself

Making devices at home involves using materials that can easily be found in your garage. In addition, they apply simple designs that work effectively. Taking this into account, you can be guided by a simple diagram, without any drawings.

You can use a gas cylinder as a container for abrasive material (receiver) into which sand should be poured. The hole for filling the cylinder is located at the top. Air under pressure will enter the receiver through a pipe mounted in the upper part of the cylinder, and, together with sand, will exit through the outlet hose located below.

Materials for making the device

Drawings of a sandblasting machine make it clear what parts are needed for its manufacture and in what sequence they need to be connected. One of these drawings is shown in the figure below.

The need to purchase a compressor, which is the main element of the device, was discussed above. Its capacity must be at least 800 liters. It will need an oil separator to prevent the sand from getting wet.

In addition to the compressor, you will need a container to accommodate the abrasive material. Very often, a gas cylinder with a capacity of 50 liters is used for this. Its design allows it to withstand high pressure inside and mechanical damage outside.

A filter will be useful for running water, in which it is possible to replace the filler. Instead of a filter element, silica gel in balls will be poured into the flask (you can buy it at a pet store). The filter is necessary to dry the air before it is supplied to the receiver.

The duration of continuous operation largely depends on the selected nozzle. Inexpensive options(made of cast iron or ceramics) are designed for several hours of operation. In some cases, they last only a few tens of minutes. Therefore, it is better to give preference to parts made of boron carbide or tungsten carbide and capable of withstanding hundreds of hours of intensive work.

In addition, to assemble the device you will need the following parts:

• for air supply (length 5 m and internal diameter 10 mm);

• reinforced hose (2 m long and 2 m internal diameter);

• hose fittings for connecting individual parts of the device with a rubber hose into a single system;

• Collet clamp;

• ball valve made of brass (2 pcs.).

• a pipe with a thread and a plug (the neck will be made from it);

• a piece of pipe with the same diameter and three barrels;

• sealant for connections (fumlenta).

When all the parts are assembled, you can begin assembling the sandblasting machine.

Assembly steps

Homemade sandblasting is assembled in the following sequence:

• Preparing the balloon. If you purchased a used cylinder, it must be emptied of gas. To do this, the valve is twisted completely. The entire container is filled with water, which will displace the remaining gas. After this, working with the cylinder will be safe. Instead of a neck, we screw a pipe with a ball valve. A tee is screwed into it from above, into which two fittings are inserted.

• The supports are welded from 3-4 pieces of reinforcement on the top side of the cylinder. Their length should be sufficient so that the crane does not touch the ground.

• A hole is made in the middle of the bottom of the cylinder into which a tee is welded. One outlet is required for the plug. The second is for the air supply hose (a tubular extension is welded). It is recommended to weld all connections to ensure tightness. You can connect with threads, but then you must use a sealant.

• An in-line filter is attached to the tubular extension using a tee. To the tee - a hose, the other end of which will connect to the fitting at the bottom of the cylinder (near the supports). Connections are secured with clamps. A ball valve is placed at the filter inlet. A fitting is fixed to it, through which the hose coming from the compressor will be connected.

• The gun is assembled from a nozzle, which is connected through a piece of hose to a ball valve. The second end of the tap is connected to a metal tube (about 30 cm).

At this stage, homemade sandblasting is ready. You can weld handles on the sides of the receiver. This will make it easier to carry.