For etching or cleaning small objects, nothing beats a high-quality sandblasting cabinet for

providing a reliable platform to carry out these tasks. Cabinets can be purchased from any one

of several leading manufacturers—but some people prefer to build their own systems. If you’re

planning to assemble a custom sandblasting cabinet, there are some useful guidelines you

should bear in mind.

Sandblasting systems come in a broad range of sizes. Some are walk-in rooms (often built inside

large storage units). Others are relatively lightweight cabinets that can easily fit inside the

average household garage. Here we’ll explore the steps for assembling a small cabinet that you

can use for sandblasting portable objects.

You need four elements:

1. A sandblasting unit – Pick either a

siphon or a pressure unit.

2. An air compressor – This propels the

sandblasting media.

3. A dust collector – As the name

implies, this holds the dust generated

during the sandblast process.

4. A sandblasting cabinet – This is the

enclosure that contains the

sandblasting media during the

cleaning process.

There are two types of sandblasting units: siphon and pressure.

Siphon systems are the more common and less expensive of

the two. These use venturi pressure to propel sandblast media

through the nozzle of the gun.

Pressure units have the advantage of faster, more efficient

blasting. These systems use a pressure pot to shoot air through

the gun nozzle.

The cabinet must include two holes

for protective gloves and a viewing

window. A slanted window is most

common, but you may develop back

and neck problems from looking

downward. Your cabinet needs some

kind of adjustable port, filter, or

vacuum to allow air to escape.

Otherwise, air pressure will build up

inside the cabinet and compromise

the effectiveness of the sandblaster

gun. You may also have to drill a hole

in the cabinet to allow the hose to

enter. You must ensure that the

opening is very tightly sealed.

Your air compressor is responsible for propelling

sandblasting media into the cabinet.

Be sure to select an air compressor with an appropriate

duty cycle. This refers to the time period that a unit

needs to cool down after use.

A unit with a 100% duty cycle is one that can run

continuously without a break, but you may not need

one of these if you do not intend to operate your

sandblasting system for extended periods.

Sandblasting is messy. You need to ensure that dust doesn’t accumulate inside the

cabinet. One way to achieve this is to install a chute at the bottom of the cabinet

that can be emptied when needed.

There are many types of abrasive materials you may wish to use for sandblasting.

Sand and glass bead are commonly used, but these substances can cause serious

lung issues if inhaled. If you worry about damaging the materials, you may wish to

consider using walnut shell. This substance is among the least abrasive available.

On the other end of the spectrum, silicon carbide is extremely tough and

recommended for ultra-hard materials.

Big A’s Place is a leading distributor of sandblasting cabinets, equipment, and aftermarket

parts. Its online catalog includes a number of prominent manufacturers, including Pirate

Brand, RPB, and Kennametal. The company’s main office is located in Holland, Michigan.

Visit sandblaster-parts.com for more information and to view our extensive inventory.