164 Harbor Freight Sand Blasting Cabinet Media Feed Mod

[@mpikas]

There's a bunch of problems here but I'll start with the biggest one- you had the pickup tube installed upside down. The hose is supposed to go over the single tube part, and the sleeved part allows air from above the media to come down to where you're picking the media up, essentially working like the bleed valve that you've added to your feed tube. That gun works well if you get everything else working correctly, I'd guess the easiest way for you go fix what you have now is to add some pressure to the back of your bleed valve when you're running the blaster, that will move the media around where you're picking up from so it can't sit and plug up.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thank you very much for the tips. I appreciate you taking the time to help all of us out.

[@christophercullen1236]

Robert I had a local fabrication shop build a cabinet to my design years ago every few years I have done upgrades on it to make it more efficient !The comment section and your input will held me refinement it more in the future THANK YOU.. Christopher for down under

[@DudleyToolwright]

I am glad that I could help in some small way. There are a bunch of really helpful videos out there on improving the Harbor Freight blast cabinets.

[@Preso58]

I've done all the mods that you've done and my media still surges in the pick up tube but the gun seems to store enough in the body to keep it delivering consistently. The stock gun's internal passages are too small and they seem to choke up easily. Cheers, Preso.

[@DudleyToolwright]

It's weird that when Harbor Freight copied other designs, then didn't pick a better one.

[@Dudleymiddleton]

Isopropyl alcohol - takes me back to the time of cleaning tape recorder heads with ear cotton buds lol

[@DudleyToolwright]

I have cleaned a lot of recording heads myself. some audio, some video. for all of those I used the 99% stuff.

[@danillovv6]

Hey buddy I've been struggling with my cabinet because no matter what improvements i make the media neve comes out and i just have air blowing on the parts. What size is your compressor? I have a 20 Gallon 4.5 cfm. Do you believe the metering valve will work with this air volume?

[@DudleyToolwright]

I have never gotten this cabinet dialed in perfectly and I have a 20 gallon 5hp 12.5CFM @ 90 PSI compressor and it can't really keep up without pauses. I don't think the gun design is very good at all. Read through the comments and I think you will find some helpful suggestions from people that have made other mods.

[@AaronEngineering]

G’day Robert. Man I’m jealous after watching this. I desperately needed a sand blaster today. Was stripping powder coating off galvanised pipe using my lathe. Cheers 🍻. Aaron

[@DudleyToolwright]

I can sympathize. They are however big, bulky, and really messy...at least this one is.

[@dannywilsher4165]

I've had several blast cabinets. The best one I ever had was one I built myself with plywood and stainless tubing. I guess I lucked out and got everything right. It worked awesome. Thanks for sharing!!! I been looking and reading through the book and I love it! Thanks again!!!!!

[@DudleyToolwright]

I bet that if I knew what I was doing, I could make a better cabinet without too much difficulty. Unfortunately, I am completely new to the process. I'm glad you like the book. Enjoy.

[@BobBasshead]

Apparently you never heard of Alvarez Metal Works, he has a 8 part series on modifications to the Harbor Freight media blasting cabinet. The reason you're getting blast media blowing out of the upper cabinet seams is because the vacuum system isn't working properly, you have to watch his videos, very informative.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks. I am not familiar with those videos and will check them out. Much appreciated.

[@LorenP]

You mentioned adding a little (compressed) air to the heel of the 90 to help push the media at time mark 04:30 but I did not see air being used. It looks like you changed from adding a compressed air line to adding an air vent instead. Did you ever try out the compressed air? Years ago I made my own siphon feed system. It was a 5 gallon bucket with a hole in the bottom. I connected the siphon feed tube to the bottom of the bucket in the exact same way you mentioned. I used a Tee instead of an elbow at the bottom and I added a ball valve with compressed air at the bottom to help push the media into the siphon tube. The media was gravity feed down the center T hole and I had compressed air on one T side and the siphon feed on the other T side. It worked and I blasted an entire truck bed. Anyhow, I am rebuilding an old Trinco cabinet and am trying to find videos of how other guys have added compressed air to the siphon tube. Nice video, thanks for sharing your ideas. Thumbs up from Toledo, Ohio =0)

[@DudleyToolwright]

I had and have not yet tried to add air yet, but it seemed like a good possibility. Now I wonder if I should convert this to a wet system (vapor sprayer) since I have the unit outside and it has filled up with rain water. I live in So. Cal. it's not supposed to rain here and I have it covered, but the sun borke down the plastic in just a few months and I didn't notice until it was too late.

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Robert, Some nice modifications... I am sure the cabinet will work much better. Cheers. Paul,,

[@DudleyToolwright]

It is getting incrementally better, but still not as great as I would like. I have very limited sand blasting experience, so I am not sure how much better a top of the line solution is.

[@jpsimon206]

I have very little experience with sandblasting, basically none except for lead shot in a foundry setting. Have you tried carefully measuring a part before and after sandblasting? I've always been curious how much damage it does, adding that much tooth must be removing material and it's hard to imagine that only mill scale and rust or removed.

[@DudleyToolwright]

I was wondering the same thing, but have never actually spent the time to find out. I have only used the sand blasting cabinet a couple of times so far.

[@frederic6998]

it's pretty much nothing, only the weak pieces goes off like rust and paint. If there is things engraved it'll stay. It also depend of what media you use, some are soft some are more agressive and it depend also if you work on stainless steal, wood, plastic etc... But basically if you're not a savage it remoove only the necessary. Just avoid sandblasting your gold bars before painting them.

[@stoptheirlies]

Hi. The dual pipe is to let air down into the media so you can suck it up, like letting air into an oil bottle so you can pour it. Bob. UK

[@DudleyToolwright]

Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas.

[@Toomzer]

I've just done the same mod, for some reason I'm not picking up any media no matter how much PSI or how open or closed my valve is, any idea what im doing wrong?

[@DudleyToolwright]

I have had a lot of issues myself. The media has to be bone dry to work. I lead a pail of desiccant inside my box. Others have suggested that I replace the gun.

[@Toomzer]

@@DudleyToolwright Managed to work it out eventually, my gun was done it was blowing instead of sucking so obviously the media couldent work its way up the media tube. wear and tear I guess?

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday, good modifications, really makes for a better unit, Cheers

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks, Matty. So far so good, but I am probably not done with mods yet. I have very limited experience with sand blasters, so I am sure I will discover a bunch of more things I think need changing as time goes on.

[@NewsThatMatterUsa]

I did this with 1” pipe haven’t had a chance to test yet tho I’m worried I went to big what are your thoughts ?

[@DudleyToolwright]

Clogs are a significant issue, at least for me, so you might be on to something.

[@joell439]

Great update …….. thanks for sharing. I like the desiccant tube idea. Can you elaborate a little more about it? When did you purchase? Do you have it in the original container, or is that a recycled tub? 👍👍😎👍👍

[@DudleyToolwright]

sure. The desiccant tub is a self contained unit that I got from Lowes. It has a fibrous membrane over the top of the tub that lets water in. It starts as solid pellets which dissolve when water is adsorbed. It is fully used when it is full of liquid. Here is a link: www.lowes.com/pd/DampRid-2-Pack-Refillable-Moisture-Absorber/3054901 I am not sure how well it works compared to other solutions. Southern California is usually much drier than it has been the last two years.

[@joell439]

@@DudleyToolwright - thank you so much for the details. I’m in the Phoenix area, so I’m certain it will work well here too 👍

[@bid6413]

Interesting. I’ve got an old industrial blast setup, but it is still siphon. Years ago I built a pressure pot sand blaster, total sand loss, no cabinet. I could adjust the pressure in the sealed tank full of sand controlling how much air pressure pushed the sand to the gun with a ball valve. This pressure system worked so much better than my current siphon system. If you know anyone who has fabricated a pressure pot system out of a siphon system please share where I can see how they did it. Finally I suggest a vacuum to clear the air in the cabinet so you can see better. Thanks for listening to my rant. Cheers, Will

[@markshort9098]

Make it extreme made a pressure pot sand blaster out of old gas bottles

[@bid6413]

@@markshort9098 thank you for your help

[@DudleyToolwright]

I see someone already answered the pressure pot question. Isn't this community great? I wondered about the pressure pot systems. I went into the Harbor Freight sand blasting cabinet purchase knowing zippo about the process and tools. I only chose the cabinet, because I didn't have any place to use an non-contained blasting solution. As it is, my cabinet is on the outside of my garage. No room and wouldn't want all of that grit floating around inside near my machinery.

[@bid6413]

@@DudleyToolwright completely great. Worldwide experience freely shared.

[@warrenmoyses4424]

I use this cabinet in a commercial capacity. Use the updated pickup tube, have enough cfm, change the handpiece and it flies without a metering valve even though the cabinest leaks air like seive. I have 3 cabinets, have used this one for 12 years

[@DudleyToolwright]

That is excellent info, thanks for sharing. It gives me hope.

[@jpsimon206]

That's a great fix. I think you should consider either a long sweep elbow for the bottom, or perhaps a street elbow would be better, since the whole system works off of the Venturi effect, the street elbow narrows progressively through the curve. I think that that narrowing would increase the Venturi effect improving suction.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Interesting idea. Thanks for the suggestion. I am not sure I have seen a street elbow before.

[@frederic6998]

street elbow is just the same as yours but with female on a side and a male on the other instead of both female. The ventury effect is not in that area but it will improove the flow because in yours after the elbow the sand at the exterior in friction with the elbow hit the male pipe that come in the elbow.

[@TheRouletteGamingChannel]

Thinking of buying one of these for my cnc plasma cutting projects.

[@DudleyToolwright]

It's a mixed bag. I still don't have it completely dialed in.

[@Alexxela665]

Could try put a shopvac on it, place I worked had a similar unit and had a shopvac connected to it and if you forgot to turn it on, there'd be a big cloud of dust around the unit

[@DudleyToolwright]

That is a great suggestion, thanks! I bet that would go a long way to solving the problem,

[@RestorationWatch]

@@DudleyToolwright I did and it works great. Nozzle was a perfect fit into the cabinet hole.

[@jpsimon206]

Don't forget to order a new plastic sticker for the inside of the glass. It doesn't take long for them to get so scratched you can't see through them. Staying on top of the protective stickers is the best way to preserve your glass

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks for the suggestion. The cabinet came with a couple of them and I haven't used it too often yet.

[@dirtboy896]

Ive had the same exact problems. I caulked my entire cabinet and it still leaks in the same exact places. The light sucks and the collection tube always clogs up.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Good to know. That way I am more confident that the problems I am having are less likely to be a result of something I did wrong in assembly.

[@bid6413]

Pull air out, or let air in, and the inside of the cabinet won’t be a “pressure vessel”, albeit a low pressure vessel. Using a shop vac, and an adjustable opening vent will probably work fine. Best, Will

[@frederic6998]

14:00 i've made a washer at the precise dimention to pull the nozzle. The trigger quickly ended up unscrewing itself so i had to put thread lock glue in it. But i finally bough an other gun with pedal control. To get the cabinet working properly you pretty much need to invest as much as the cabinet in improovements stuff. Bought a cyclone for the vacum as well. I sealed everything with silicon directly when assembling it, i've added silicon directly on the foam seals and more so i have no leaks.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Excellent tips, thanks. I added foam tape to all of the seams during assembly, but that did not seem adequate. Silicone it is.

[@rsdandy]

Most of the leakage problems on these cabinets results from not pulling out as much air as your putting in. Using a recovery unit or vacuum will all but eliminate the leakage problem.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Vacuum is a good idea. There are two sizeable vent holes, but negative pressure would be a bonus.

[@jpsimon206]

Might be overkill, but it might be worth putting the nipples on the lathe and quickly bore out the weld seam. With Venturi you're looking for the same conditions like a race car being ported and polished. I know you're not building the ISS, but I think smoothing the internal surfaces could be surprisingly effective. Particularly when you think about all the different profiles that different media have. Something like coal slag I imagine would build up against that weld seam.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Another interesting suggestion, thanks. I bet that a smooth bore would improve the flow of sand. On the flip side, how long will the sand have to flow before the bore is smooth? Funny thought, huh?

[@wirefeed3419]

This an old video but the reason the cabinet is leaking at every joint and seam is he is not using a vacuum as designed. Essentially the cabinet is a pressure box every time the gun is used. Try removing the black plastic plug in the side or connector he vacuum to the same hole as recommended.

[@DudleyToolwright]

I appreciate the tips. In actuality there are two exit ports and only one is closed (The one on the left side when facing the window). The other is in the back and is designed to work with a filtration unit. It is wide open and is designed with a trap and sort of a venturi to allow grit to fall back into the unit.

[@NormReitzel]

It's designed to blow air into the media to fluidize it so that it can be picked up as, well, a fluid.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Makes perfect sense.

[@crazyantny9161]

About the only thing that you said and did was mention respirator! Silicosis means you need new lungs, which most people are unaware of

[@DudleyToolwright]

Yes. I beleive you should wear a resperator to prevent silicosis.

[@keltecshooter]

You need to add a dust collection system and not try to perfect seal the cabinet, dont block the vent to the cabinet, the suction will give slight negative pressure in the cabinet and you will not need a respirator

[@DudleyToolwright]

That is a very useful suggestion, thanks. Unfortunately, I haven't the room.

[@classicstangbrn8964]

I too have l.e.d lights in my cabinet, but if you use halogens they will be brite, but they get hot enough to keep your sand dry.

[@DudleyToolwright]

That is an excellent observation. Nice.

[@philipchandler330]

Excellent presentation

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks a lot

[@westweld]

Nice job somthing similar has been on my list for a long time......A guy could build a profitable buisness around harbor frieght improvements.

[@jpsimon206]

It already exists. Swag off road

[@DudleyToolwright]

Very true, but probably not with manual machines like mine. I would have to charge too be affordable. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

[@calholli]

They sell different tips for your gun, to be used with different sized grains of sand. Loosening it is a good trick, but you probably just need a different sized nozzle.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thank you very much. I will look into that.

[@sarahlivingstone8367]

There's so many videos modifying that bottom cover plate in a similar way. Why does no-one drill a hole in the side of the metalwork that that cover closes on,, put a rubber grommet on the hole with a 15mm/22mm tube straight into the media?

[@DudleyToolwright]

That is a really interesting suggestion. I think horizontally mounted inlet tube might be a little bit less effective than a solution where gravity is working with you. Your suggestion definitely is worth some thought. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[@angelargrayjackson1874]

Do you have a parts list for the metering value?

[@DudleyToolwright]

No I don't, but I got all of the pipe fittings at Lowes. This was attempt one at improving the design. I think I still have a way to go before I call it good.

[@MaturePatriot]

Remember, the cabinet was designed by an "Engineer," who probably never worked a day using one, and he was driven by a penny pinching finance officer. Good modifications.

[@DudleyToolwright]

I bet you are right, but if you are going to steal a design, why not choose a better one? Perhaps they didn't know one when they saw it. I hope all is well with you Vernon.

[@melgross]

These things usually work well enough for the home hobbyist. The more expensive models are much better, but the upgraded models are better all around. My Grizzly model is somewhat similar to the HF one, but has two locks per door, and seems to be sealed better. The hose and gun are about the same, so I did a similar fix which works better.

[@jpsimon206]

Have you or a loved one been a victim of mesothelioma due to harbor freight blasting cabinets? Call 1-800 blah blah blah

[@DudleyToolwright]

Twice. we won twice, but the lawyers got everything...

[@jameschuke4104]

My gun doesn't put enough air out i have a 23 cfm at 105

[@DudleyToolwright]

A definite problem, for all of these blast cabinets.

[@mjwint]

Not that long ago you were reviewing a bunch of your metal working books. Have you considered looking at a pneumatic conveying reference text in a technical library near you? Study the problem in front of you before charging down the path to confusion. It will improve the usefulness of your material from "B-" to "A".

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks for the tip. I will definitely look for books on that topic. I realize that adding positive pressure air to the feed assembly would be a big step up, but my compressor is already barely able to keep up with the sand blaster if I pause frequently. However, you points are very well taken, and the topic is very interesting in any case.

[@raulsolisdiesel]

gracias saludos desde mexico

[@DudleyToolwright]

Gracias. Saludos desde Los Estados Unidos.

[@donright4310]

I've done all of the mods I thought were required. Cabinet works wonderfully untill a large piece lodges at the nozzle. That aside blasting will ruin cheaper compressor motors ask me how I know. Don't forget to put a continuous run valve on the air compressor to keep it running the entire time you are blasting. I use the full 165psi available to me for best results but with good dry constant air anything over 75 will do. Save yourself some future expense and get the valve for the compressor

[@DudleyToolwright]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

[@donright4310]

@@DudleyToolwright no problem I've burned up 3 motors before I broke down and bought a quality compressor. Polar air by Eaton seems to stand up to the abuse I give it so far

[@frederic6998]

you've burned the electric motor or something in the compressor like valve on top of the piston or segments etc... ?

[@donright4310]

@@frederic6998 if the motor does a lot of on off cycles it will eventually stop working. The valve maintains an air pressure that keeps the compressor running and only pumps air when it's necessary. Anytime I'm going to sand blast or do a lot of sanding that would make the compressor start and stop frequently I turn the valve on. Just look up continuous run valve for a better explanation. I've burned out numerous motors before I bought a good compressor and installed the valve

[@drefhill]

@@donright4310 my compressor is 42 years old and never had any problem with the motor. Pistons compressors should not run more than 70%, i mean if it turn for 7min it need 3min to cool down. My old one had not enough flow for sandblasting so now i got a 12yo Creyssensac 5300 for 350€ and it work wonderfull, powerfull enough for sandblasting in a cabinet.

[@peteaddis1548]

Please turn the leg bolts around, it's dangerous the way that you've assembled the cabinet and they could cause a nasty accident...

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks for the lookout. I appreciate it.

[@hectora.g1831]

list of materials?

[@4rdF1Hunny]

A dust collector creating negative pressure inside the cabinet will fix those leaks.

[@DudleyToolwright]

That would be a great addition.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DudleyToolwright]

Appreciated.

[@raulsolisdiesel]

very nice. its just what i need thanks

[@DudleyToolwright]

You are welcome!

[@jpsimon206]

You might be the first person to get reverse sponsored by harbor freight. They might start paying you to not review their products!

[@DudleyToolwright]

Too funny, but true.

[@rossilake3430]

While I was watching this video, Harbor Freight commercial popped up. The blue metal twist clamps are great for wood working. I buy sockets and some wrenches from them. Throw in the trunk of my cars. Sure I have Snapon, MAC and Matco... Those never leave the garage.

[@jpsimon206]

I thought that being attracted to water was called hydrophilic.

[@calholli]

No, it's called being a pervert. You leave that water alone.

[@DudleyToolwright]

It is, did I say hydrophobic? Trying to speak in complete, coherent sentences, think about what I am doing, and shooting videos, all at the same time can break a guy.

[@jameschuke4104]

Did all that still not there

[@DudleyToolwright]

I agree. Still not great, but better.

[@USMC-Sniper-0137]

What's with the heavy cast iron piping instead of PVC?

[@DudleyToolwright]

Honestly, I didn't think of PVC which would have been quite a bit cheaper and somewhat more versatile. Doh!

[@erichumbert5562]

But I wonder how long PVC will stand up to sand beating on it?

[@USMC-Sniper-0137]

@@erichumbert5562 There's no sand 'beating on it'. The sand beats on the inside of the pvc flexible air hoses all the time and I've never heard of a hose blow out. The elbow only has slow flow and nothing harsh except for when the sand passes through and is rushing through the hose to the fun. Use Sch. 40 for more piece of mind then.

[@ThePadutch]

Good job but unless you replace the trash HF gun with one of the many quality guns you'll only realize about a 15 to 20% potential gain.

[@DudleyToolwright]

I have had the same recommendation from others. Thanks.

[@jameschuke4104]

Use pressure pot on cabinet the best

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks for the tip!

[@wags9777]

I wasn't aware that this unit was air tight so moisture will only get in if you leave the valve open. I must have got a bad cabinet

[@DudleyToolwright]

The cabinet is definitely NOT air tight. It leaks sand like a sieve. The pipe fittings I added mostly are and if you leave the valve open I would be letting outside air directly get to the media. I am not sure how much of a problem this presents, but I didn't want to find out.

[@garyyorke1080]

Sadly guys no matter how you look at it's got a vent on the side to let the air pressure out or attach a shop vacumn and if I'm right the other side also has a vent to let air in . Logic dictates you put in compressed air at 14cfm and its gotta get out somewhere . My cabinet has a 90 lt a minute shop vac on it and even with the gloves trying to be pulled off the fittings I still get sand leaking out the doors

[@bobd.fletcherjr4912]

🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@DudleyToolwright]

Very kind. Thanks.

[@dane9175]

Try Paintable automotive seam sealer

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks for the tip. Much appreciated.

[@drefhill]

2:18 No it's the opposite. Would certainly work better if you were using it correctly.

[@DudleyToolwright]

Thanks. That is the risk of working with a tool for the first time.

[@debragibson3489]

The HF blast gun is not a very good design

[@DudleyToolwright]

You have that right.

[@C2DSolutions]

I think those cabinets are all made by the "POS" company. Had one... re-plumbed it... eventually sold it.

[@DudleyToolwright]

I feel ya. I did not know enough to know better and now I am trying to improve something that might not be worth saving. As I gain more experience with blasting, I might arrive at the same conclusion.

[@Vjiovino]

You need a vacuum system hooked up.. then you won't leak media so much

[@DudleyToolwright]

That is an excellent point. I really do need something like that.

[@jameschuke4104]

Siphoned cabinets are worthless

[@DudleyToolwright]

I see your point, but they do make reusing media easier.