Looking to get into it just for myself friends and family. As the title says looking for decent cheaper equipment to get going. Probably will run the air dry over oven baked to start.
Gunsmithing Budget sandblaster and spray gun for cerakote
- Thread starter VandelayIndustries
- Start date
Eastwood has some nice little bead blast cabinets, I have a couple
you will want the dust collector
www.eastwood.com
you will want the dust collector
Eastwood B40 Modular Blast Cabinet
Medium sized, use anywhere, Modular Benchtop or Leg Mount design.
www.eastwood.com
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The air compressor that can keep up with a sand blaster may cost more than the sand blaster. FYI
have a 5hp electric keeps up with either cab blaster and a 12hp gas to keep up with pressure pot.
Make sure you get a blast cabinet of sufficient length to hold your barreled actions....
Because I already had a compressor, I bought a second one which when connected in tandem with it gives me the CFM I need so I don't need to stop. For just your limited home use, you can always compensate for lack of CFM with larger tank storage to an extent.
Bottom line, if you don't have the CFM to run continuously at 80 psi min you'll need to stop/start- but you still end up in the same place.
ETA:
Don't forget- you need a tank of sufficient length for degreasing prior to blasting- do NOT skip this step... I use the Brownell's bluing tank and cover that I fitted with solvent-proof gasketing to prevent evaporation of the acetone/solvent.
Because I already had a compressor, I bought a second one which when connected in tandem with it gives me the CFM I need so I don't need to stop. For just your limited home use, you can always compensate for lack of CFM with larger tank storage to an extent.
Bottom line, if you don't have the CFM to run continuously at 80 psi min you'll need to stop/start- but you still end up in the same place.
ETA:
Don't forget- you need a tank of sufficient length for degreasing prior to blasting- do NOT skip this step... I use the Brownell's bluing tank and cover that I fitted with solvent-proof gasketing to prevent evaporation of the acetone/solvent.
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You can build an oven on the cheap with a hot plate some stove pipe and some aluminum coated insulation. Oh you need a thermometer also. It actually works really well. I did a few barreled actions. Oh and some metal to bend for legs. Seen it years ago on YouTube. I don’t know if the video is still around.
I’m surprised I still have it. I have not used it in years
Sand blasting cabinet: you can see through the Saran Wrap, your hands go under the towel, sand stays in the trashcan.
If you are doing small stuff like pistols actions and bolt knobs then get a little toaster oven from target for 30 bucks. If you want chassis and barrels then you’ll need to step up but that little oven can handle plenty on its own.
If you are doing small stuff like pistols actions and bolt knobs then get a little toaster oven from target for 30 bucks. If you want chassis and barrels then you’ll need to step up but that little oven can handle plenty on its own.
So after digging into the equipment more, it’s definitely more involved than I anticipated. Some follow up questions, keep in mind this is intended as a diy hobby
1.do I really need an oven? I see there are air dry options for cerakote paint that’s actually a higher heat rating
2. Do I need a spray station or can I just do it outside when it’s warmer?
3. Can I get by with just a spray gun, and sand blasting station? Obviously a compressor and water trap would also be needed.
1.do I really need an oven? I see there are air dry options for cerakote paint that’s actually a higher heat rating
2. Do I need a spray station or can I just do it outside when it’s warmer?
3. Can I get by with just a spray gun, and sand blasting station? Obviously a compressor and water trap would also be needed.
You'll need a way to heat up the metal to get rid of all of the oils. Some use a blowtorch but I wouldn't recommend. You can spray outside or inside with ventilation. You can get by with just using an airbrush even, theres a $19 air brush on Amazon which has the correct nozzle size that I have used in the past with great results. You can actually skimp out on a lot of major tools "required" for cerakote and still have a diy job come out looking nice. One thing you cannot skimp on is the prep work. Degreasing and sandblasting are very important and remember not to touch with dirty gloves or fingers. You will see it in the paint.
If it's a hobby, do the first few things the super simple way. Harbor freight refillable handheld sandblaster and then buy the Preval Sprayers to use with C series cerakote. Those two items will work well and you'll be started for well under $100. Do a few parts and then determine where you want to spend your money. A blasting cabinet will likely be something you want for just the mess alone. Tractor supply has coarse and fine coal slag that will strip things down quickly should you really need to cut through things.
I'm not sure why people point everyone to buy huge cabinets and compressors right off the bat. Try this way first, see if you like it, then decide what tools need upgrading. I have done a ton of random parts over the last few years with just these items. Ovens, compressors, and all the spendy parts can come later when you know what you really want.
I'm not sure why people point everyone to buy huge cabinets and compressors right off the bat. Try this way first, see if you like it, then decide what tools need upgrading. I have done a ton of random parts over the last few years with just these items. Ovens, compressors, and all the spendy parts can come later when you know what you really want.
How are you supposed to adjust flow, fan and pressure with those Prevals? Cheap compressor and a $30 hvlp makes 10000x more sense.
You don't, they work great for me and I've had good results. Is it a 100% pro level job? No, but it looks great and I'd rather have a hard coating like C series than just standard spray paint. Plus crazy inexpensive.
You don’t need to get sensitive about it, I’m just trying to make sure OP gets the best advice he can. I started with the most budget setup possible, so I’m speaking from experience too…
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