Q. HOW DO I KNOW THAT THE SANDBLASTER CAN DO THE JOBS AT THOSE PRESSURES?
A. The ACE and the CLASSIC can remove paint & rust right down to 15 p.s.i., but of course, the higher the pressure, the faster they work. For example the ACE was tested on a Ford Transit door, and it took 1 minute and 48 seconds to clear one square foot down to bare metal at 80 p.s.i.
Q. WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF A GRIT FLOWVALVE?
A. In the ACE SANDBLASTER the amount of grit metered out into the air stream is fixed at the optimum amount - the operator only has to select the appropriate blast pressure. Extensive tests have shown that a grit flow valve on its own on the ACE model does not show any great advantage. However, with grit flow being enhanced by gravity on the CLASSIC SANDBLASTER, and in conjunction with its own bottom outlet, the grit flow valve comes into its own, allowing the facility to use very fine (powder type) grits (as low as 30 microns) at very low pressures (5 p.s.i.) whether expendable or reusable (inside or outside of a cabinet) and ensuring constant and controllable grit flow with all grits up to 800 microns and at all pressures up to a maximum of 125 psi. It allows the selection of the most efficient grit/air mixture, which also happens to be the most economical use of grit.
Q. WHAT TYPE OF GRIT DOES THE SANDBLASTER USE?
A. You can use any type of grit, the only restriction is the size of the grit. Particles should be 800 microns (0.8mm) or less to prevent blockages through the 3 mm. nozzle.(500 microns with 2.5. mm nozzle).
If you are working outside, it is advisable to use expendable grit, which is much cheaper and does the job just as well as the more expensive reusable grit which would be more useful within a blast cabinet.
Different types of finishes can be achieved by varying the type and size of grit and the blasting pressure. Low profile grits such as expendable sands substitute or reusable glass beads or alumina, have good flow characteristics and lower abrasive properties, having a peening effect on the surface of the metal, leaving a matt finish. High profile grits such as expendable copperslag or reusable aluminium oxide or silicon carbide have an irregular shape and are more abrasive, leaving an etched finish - this can be very useful giving a key to paint. And you can also use Bicarbonate of soda in the CLASSIC SANDBLASTER Soda Blasting option.
Q. CAN YOU USE THE ACE AND CLASSIC SANDBLASTERS WITH A CABINET?
A. Yes, you can, in fact if you have a cabinet, you can enjoy the best of both worlds, i.e. use either of the blasters to do large areas which do not fit in a cabinet - or by simply putting the hose/nozzle through a hole in the side of the cabinet, enjoy the speed and power advantage of the pressure blaster as well as the fully controllable grit & pressure advantage of the CLASSIC, avoiding all the risks of stuttering and possible uneven flow of suction systems.
Both sandblasters having an autonomy of at least 25 minutes, that would be enough for most jobs within a cabinet. (NOTE: for cabinet blasting in greater comfort, we supply a foot valve for hands off control of the air supply - please call or email).
Q. HOW DO THE ACE & CLASSIC SANDBLASTERS COMPARE WITH A SUCTION SYSTEM?
A. The Ace & CLASSIC being pressure systems will give a more powerful, efficient and flexible blast for the same amount of air then any suction or siphon systems.
Q. WHY IS AIR FILTRATION NECESSARY?
A. When air is compressed, heat is produced. This causes any moisture present, either in the atmosphere or the compressor, to be evaporated. As the air cools down, the moisture condenses, into a mist at first, then gradually into larger droplets. Any air going into a gritblaster must be dry to prevent grit coagulation which will cause annoying blockages.
NOTE: The hotter your compressor runs, e.g.. during warm weather, continuous running, inefficient cooling, any moisture which is evaporated will stay in a mist or aerosol condition longer than normal. This might mean the mist will pass through the filter. This only occurrs in a small number of cases. The easiest solution in this case is to install a mist separator to allow the mist to condense and be collected.
A FILTER (also called a water separator) is designed to separate condensed water and debris from the air line. Water is removed mechanically by the deflector which causes the air to move in a swirling motion. The condensed water droplets are then centrifugally impounded on the I.D. of the bowl and migrate down past the baffle to the water sump. Dry air is then filtered through the 5 micron filter into the air flow.