Posted by gtk on Tuesday, January 16, 2001 at 2:40AM :
In Reply to: Air compressors, welders, and parts washers oh my! posted by Tim Way on Tuesday, January 16, 2001 at 1:11AM :
My 0.02 cents worth... First get a 2 stage compressor, period. They are more expensive , but not as expensive as buying too small a single stage unit. Plenty now available for 220 30 amp circuits. Get both a pressure sandblaster and cabinet, as you use them for different things. Pressure sandblaster works good on the heavy stuff, frames, axle housing, springs etc. Cabinet, which uses a siphon feed is good for glass bead or plastic media work like valve covers, fans pulleys. You don't have to worry about damaging the items. Make sure you set up the air distribution system with steel pipe and proper diameter Moisture and sandblasting just don't go together and it can be really frustrating to have a hour down time for every 30 minutes of blasting because the mixing valve is clogged with water. Tip Tools has a build it yourself cabinet, works but the time it takes to build I wish I had just bought a ready to go unit. Get a real parts washer, with the correct cleaning fluids. The time it saves is worth $150 bucks. Waste goes in gas cartons recycled at the local haz mat center. No problems on taking the old cleaner. Lots of migs available, but get the gas bottle. Welds look great with them. I find the flux wire really hard to work with. Get a Tip Tools catalog and get an idea of what's available, then go shopping. Another great tool is the Eastwoood vibrating tumbler bowls for cleaning parts like nuts and bolts. These work great and are worth the money. Lastly find another car guy you can split the costs. You both won't need the welder or sand blaster or part cleaner bath all the time. This way the two of you can get what you needs and keep the expense down.
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