Whether you are looking for a sandblasting cabinet for your store or for your personal garage, there are several things you need to consider before purchasing this important industrial tool.
While all sandblasting cabinets are manufactured for the same general purpose, there are many different specifications.
Types of sandblasting equipment
Sandblasters come in several different styles: standard, layered, and portable. While all three styles operate in a similar manner and can use various types of blasting media, there are significant differences in each. Choosing the style that best suits your needs depends on how often you use your blaster and for what purpose.
Standard
These fixed cabinet blasters have openings on the front and sides of the machine. They are ideal for handling small to medium sized objects.
Staggered
Staggered blaster cabinets are also fixed and have a hatch top that opens upward on a hinge to create a larger work space. These cabinets are useful when working with larger or heavier objects.
Portable
Portable sandblasting cabinets, sometimes called mini sandblasters, are great for working with smaller or more delicate objects because they allow you to make more detailed changes. And, of course, benchtop sandblasting cabinets are completely portable, allowing you to work outside of your shop or garage. They offer remote control operation and are often less expensive than other types of sandblasting cabinets.
Once you have chosen the style of blasting equipment that best suits your needs, the next decision you should make is whether you want to use a siphon cabinet or a direct pressure cabinet.
Type of blasting system
The question here is how you want your machine to deliver the abrasive media to the blasting nozzles.
Siphon Blasting Cabinets
Siphon cabinets, also known as suction cabinets, are best suited for light duty applications, general cleaning and light production work. They use a gun to pull the abrasive media into the blasting nozzle and then blast it out the end of the nozzle. This requires more air pressure than direct pressure cabinets use, as delivery is a two-step process.
Construction
The metal used for the frame and body construction also affects the quality and durability of the sandblasting cabinet. While machines with lighter steel bodies are cheaper and work well for occasional use, if you plan to use the blasting cabinet on a regular basis, you will need to purchase a machine with a more robust construction, such as heavy-duty steel.
Lighting
Some cabinet blasters come with internal lighting. While this is not always necessary for daily use, a blasting cabinet with an interior light is ideal if you need additional, focused lighting to help you perform detailed work.
Assemblies
Another more singular consideration is whether the cabinet you purchase is fully constructed or requires assembly. Sandblasting cabinets can take hours to assemble and the assembly can be very complicated, especially if you do not know in advance how these machines are made and how they work.
Therefore, once you have decided on the type of sandblasting cabinet and system and have considered the specific features you want, you are ready to start buying sandblasting machines for sale.