Tuesday, January 21, 2020

What is a sandblaster?

A sandblaster is a very useful tool for removing debris, such as rust, from a surface.  Sand blasters are amazing tools and when used properly make quick work of removing unwanted debris from a surface.  In addition to removing debris, a sandblaster can engrave glass, carve wood, remove unwanted material from a surface, and prepare surfaces for painting and etching.  The list is too long to completely review.  When you are looking to buy a good sand blaster, we want to earn your business.  Cyclone sandblasters are made in the USA, fully assembled, and most importantly are affordable.


What are you going to sandblast?


If you’re looking to buy a good sandblaster for the money, we can help.  You should start with understanding what you are going to sandblast.  The size and shape of the part(s) is very important.  Additionally, size is important from the dimensions of the part as well as the weight.  For instance, a heavy part may require two people to lift into the sandblaster. Even if you’re lifting a heavy piece by yourself, you only want to lift it as high as needed to get it into the cabinet.  We will cover blast cabinet tops.

This image shows our benchtop model E100-LTC.  Ideal for smaller parts.



This photo is our model 4040 sandblaster.  Perfect for larger parts.  This is one of our mid-size cabinets.  We offer larger cabinets too!  



Visit our website to see our full catalog of sandblasting equipment and supplies.  Made in the USA, Fully Assembled, and Affordable. 










Tuesday, December 11, 2018

2018 Year End Sandblaster Cabinet Rebate





Visit our site for details on this powerful sandblast cabinet.  $1,748.00 + Shipping, get $150 manufacturer's rebate.  Expires 12/31/2018!  https://www.cycloneblasters.com


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Downdraft Tables - Affordable and Easy to Use!

What is a Downdraft Table?

In short, you can use a downdraft table to keep your work area clean when doing any small tool work. Popular with woodworkers because when sawing or sanding, a downdraft table can collect dust and small debris. Typically constructed from steel and using a powerful motor, a downdraft table can make working much more efficient.  Many downdraft tables include perforated steel table tops and large filters to protect the motors. These units are often called downdraft extractors, or grinding tables. Altogether they can be called downdraft systems.
DT-350 Downdraft Table



Downdraft Table Design

Downdraft systems mostly come in two types: stand up or sit down. Which one you choose depends on your specific use. Another characteristic is the motor. In general, the more powerful the motor, the more airflow you can produce. The resulting power is measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). Larger airflow means that the unit can quickly draw dust and debris into the hopper. An important consideration is the downdraft table top. A properly perforated top is important. Perforations that are too large or too small will impact airflow as well as limit what debris can be pulled into the table hopper.

Large Perforated Steel Table Top - Lid Open

Downdraft Table Uses

Before we dig in, you have to be sure that if you are looking for a downdraft system that you select the appropriate type. Our Units ARE NOT designed to work with hazardous material or incendiary/explosive materials. They will not protect you from fumes or explosions. Our industrial downdraft tables serve as a powerful way to contain dust and debris.

Downdraft tables can be used to collect grinding dust and are most commonly used as downdraft sanding tables. Those familiar with power sanding by hand know that large amounts of powdery sawdust collecting everywhere, including on their clothes! With a downdraft sanding table the dust produced is drawn down into the hopper. It can then be emptied later and used for other purposes or simply recycled.

Flip-Top Closed - IMPORTANT - that window flips up too!

Cyclone Model DT-350 Downdraft Table

The DT-350 has 350 CFM of airflow. It has a perforated steel table top designed for maximum downward airflow. A large filter cartridge protects the motor. A large top opens so you can easily place work pieces. A protective window also opens and allows amazing visibility while you are working. The unit is well lit and includes a standard receptacle and on/off switch that controls the light and dust collection. 

IMPORTANT: This unit it is NOT suited for hazardous or volatile materials.

We have many downdraft tables for sale. While it lasts, we can offer one prototype model:

Prototype Available: $650 + shipping.

Please visit our site to get more info and a shipping quote.







Thursday, November 22, 2018

DIY Sandblast Cabinets - Deals on like new & rebates!

Do you just love getting into DIY projects? Ever thought about etching glass or stone? Did you know a sandblast cabinet is not just for industrial applications? These amazing machines work hard no matter where you put them. Cyclone cabinets are high quality welded steel made in Michigan - USA. 
We have a like-new 38"x24" sandblast cabinet available today for $750 + Shipping and it includes a dust collector (photo shown)! We are also promoting our large 40"x40" cabinet for $1,748 + Shipping - also includes dust collector.
See these deals and more at our website: https://www.cycloneblasters.com

Monday, November 19, 2018

What is Bead Blasting?

What is bead blasting?

A bead blaster propels bead shaped abrasive media from an air powered bead blaster gun.  An in depth review of “what is sandblasting” may be in order if this is your first experience with any kind of blasting.  That post discusses the overall “blasting” process.   For now, we will focus on bead blasting.  We hope that if you are searching for a bead blaster for sale, or just are curious that this information helps you.
Any search on the Internet for “bead blaster” or “sand blaster” is going to give you a lot of information.  When we think about “what is a bead blaster” the first thing we focus on is the word “bead”.  Bead blasting is almost the same thing as sandblasting.  The difference is the abrasive media used during the process.  It is the “same” because any type of blasting requires a few key components like a cabinet, gun, air compressor and abrasive media.  Because that last term is important we will spend a minute talking about it.

Abrasive Media

In this discussion, we are going to focus on bead blasting cabinets.  There are other ways to blast without a cabinet.  But we just want to keep the discussion focused and easy to follow.  As you know by now, the cabinet has a few names:  sand blast cabinet, media or abrasive blast cabinet.  Notice anything?  That’s right, the cabinet stays the same, only the media is changing.  The simplest answer to “what is a bead blaster” is simply a blast gun that pushes out a bead shaped media.  Because that is an overly simple explanation we want to add some detail, especially about the shape.

Media Shape

The term bead implies a round shape and that is exactly what we are talking about.  Specifically, we are going to talk about glass beads for a glass bead blaster or bead blaster gun.  The round shape is pretty easy to explain.  Many of us may be familiar with playing marbles as a kid.  If you can picture a marble, shrink that image down and you basically have glass beads.
Glass beads for a bead blaster gun are of course much smaller.

Media Size & Characteristics

Glass beads come in a variety of sizes or “grits”.  Some of the most common are 40-60, 60-100, 100-170, and 170-325.  Other ways of referring to glass beads are course and fine.  More information about glass beads is available by clicking here.  Overall, we are talking about the diameter of the bead.  Bigger (course) beads have more energy and can are more likely to penetrate the surface of the material being blasted.  Smaller (fine) glass beads are better suited for reaching into small spaces and carry less energy.  As a result they don’t impact the work surface as hard and penetrate less further into the surface.  The technical term for this is the “density”.  We won’t go into that here, you can read about that here.  Choosing a glass bead configuration for a glass bead blaster can be tough, but Cyclone can help.

Bead Blaster Cabinets

Earlier we mentioned our emphasis on bead blasting cabinets.  It is worth reviewing some important aspects of high quality cabinets.  First, a good cabinet will be constructed of a solid material.  Steel is a great choice because it is sturdy, lasts an incredibly long time, and is extremely durable.  Next, look for good legs welded to the cabinet.  Bead blasting cabinets have to support the weight of the cabinet, the parts inside, and the glass bead media.  As a result, legs that are unsteady will wobble.  This can be dangerous and frustrating to the person doing the work.
Model BT-20 Small Bead Blaster
Model M4848-TT Large Bead Blaster

What to look for in a cabinet:

  • Welded Steel Cabinet
  • Legs Welded to Cabinet
  • View Window Protection
  • Rubber Bead Blaster Gloves
  • Bead Blaster Gun
  • Sealed Seams Prevent Leaks


    Important Cabinet Characteristics

    Other important characteristics of a quality cabinet include view window protection, comfortable bead blaster gloves, sealing to prevent leaks, and a powerful bead blaster gun.  As a result, these characteristics will give the user a great blasting experience.  All Cyclone bead blasters come equipped with these items and more.

    Cabinet Sealing – NO LEAKS!

    Next, look for a good seal inside the cabinet.  Sealing the cabinet ensures that dust and debris inside the cabinet does not exit the cabinet.  Abrasive dust and debris can be a health hazard and safety risk.  Inhalation of dust and slippery media on the floor can seriously injure or kill the user.  Read a little more on abrasive blasting safety here.  Trust our Cyclone cabinets to not leak.  We seal and quality check cabinets to protect against leaks.

    View Window Protection

    View Window Protection
    An often overlooked aspect of a cabinet is the view window.  Large windows are ideal for observing the parts and work inside the cabinet.  Most importantly, be sure your view window has protection on the inside.  Over time, abrasives will cause “frosting” on the glass and make visibility extremely poor.  Cyclone always includes protective sheets on our view windows.  These user replaceable sheets protect the actual glass from abrasives and keep you blasting longer and with great visibility.

    Bead Blaster Gloves

    Bead Blaster Gloves
    Comfortable bead blaster gloves make the use of the cabinet both safer and more comfortable.  The gloves are connected to the cabinet.  Then, the user puts their hand into the gloves to do the work.  Gloves are important because they protect the user’s hands from the abrasive blast.  Additionally, comfortable and good quality gloves give a solid grip on the bead blaster gun.

    Bead Blaster Gun

    Tungsten Carbide Nozzle - Blast Gun
    Finally, and perhaps most critical, is the bead blaster gun.  Because we are blasting, we can’t do it without a blast gun!  Proper blast gun design can be complex.  A blast gun can be operated with a trigger or foot pedal.  It is up to the user, but a foot pedal operated cabinet can be more comfortable for users blasting for long periods of time.  Trigger blast guns are no less powerful, but holding a trigger for an extended time can be tiring on the user.
    Foot Pedal Blast Control

    Learn more at our web site, and see our current year end rebate!  https://www.cycloneblasters.com














Friday, August 24, 2018

What is a Sandblaster?

Whether a novice or professional, lets' talk about blasting!

Sandblasting is just a name for a process.  It comes from the fact that "sand", just like sandpaper, is an excellent abrasive.  When you use sandpaper against wood, for instance, the sand particles on the paper remove particles from the wood.  A harder surface effects a less hard surface.

Sandblasters use a similar principle.  They force an abrasive out of an blast nozzle at high energy, thus creating a stream of virtual sandpaper at the surface which produces a variety of effects on the surface depending upon many factors.  For a list of those effects please read our article about the surface effects of abrasive blasting.

Usually there is a metal box, or cabinet, that contains the sandblaster gun and parts. An air supply usually from an air compressor is used to provide the energy to propel the abrasive media out of the gun toward the parts. The concept itself is simple and it is known by many names: Shot Blasting Media Blasting Bead Blasting.

Despite the many names for the process.  You must be absolutely certain that you understand the differences.  Sand is simply the media doing the work.  DO NOT use sand in a sandblaster.  There are many safer alternatives.  Silica in the sand was found decades ago to cause serious health hazards.  You are always responsible for knowing what you are doing with any tool, it is no different with blasting.  Common sense above everything else is required.  It's preferred to call it abrasive blasting, media blasting, bead or shot blasting.

Never use sand in your abrasive blaster. The presence of silica in the sand has been proven to lead to harmful lung injury and death. Always use an abrasive free of silica and use appropriate protection and adhere to all manuals and above all else - common sense. 

It comes in two basic varieties: Siphon Feed Systems A siphon feed blasting system uses something known as the "Venturi effect/principle" to draw abrasive media up a tube and out the blast nozzle. High pressure flow from an air compressor passes through a constricted section of the blast gun and creates a difference in pressure where the media tube connects. It is this difference that draws the media up through the blast gun and out the blast nozzle. Siphon feed blasting systems are sufficiently adequate for most users providing abrasive media is available and pressure is constant. Siphon feed blasting systems work well with almost any media except steel shot.  While steel shot is an excellent abrasive, most siphon fed blasting cabinets can't produce sufficient "draw" to make it work.  Steel shot can be a very heavy abrasive and siphon systems do not provide sufficient "draw" to pull the media up from the cabinet hopper and out the blast gun.

Cyclone Manufacturing provides a complete line of siphon feed bead blast systems to economically suit any size project. Click here to browse our lineup! Check out their lineup here:  https://www.cycloneblasters.com/sandblasters/siphon-feed-sandblasters/

Next we talk about Direct Pressure Systems.  These systems utilize a pressure vessel, or a "pot".  Abrasive media is poured into the pot and then the pot is pressurized. The user then opens a valve and the pressure flows out of the pot carrying the abrasive with it. Pressure pots can be connected to a cabinet or they can be stand alone units like our PT-100 and PT-100-SK.

Cyclone also offers a direct pressure blasting cabinet, our DP-38. Direct pressure units can reside on a blast cabinet or as with our units roll on heavy-duty wheels. Direct pressure units provide sufficient energy to push any type of abrasive, at a lower pressure than siphon units.  Check out Cyclone's direct pressure lineup here:  https://www.cycloneblasters.com/sandblasters/pressure-sandblasters/

Cyclone's main website is:  https://www.cycloneblasters.com

They have over 40 years plus in the abrasive sandblast industry and have 5 star reviews on Google for their customer service.
Stay tuned - we have lots more to come!