blasters and blast media question

[nhmaf]

For any of you DIYers or painting and finishing types -
Can I use one of those general purpose pressurized abrasive blaster tanks like harbor freight has for sale with blasting soda and/or walnut media?   Or can I only use soda in a specific soda blaster, and walnut media in, well...

sorry for the naive question - there are some areas that I'm not so learned about, and this is one of them.

[montmil]

Whatcha blasting, Mike?  The initial answer to your questions would be a 'yes'. Your specific goals may likely drive your choice of blast media. Spill it, buddy. Details, desires, dreams...

Monte

[nhmaf]

Maybe I've partially answered my own question - I just discovered that Eastwood sells a combination soda/abrasive media blaster for $279, and it appears that some Sears stores are also carryin it.   To swap over from one type to the other, one has to change the valve, hose, and assorted hardware, perhaps due to the differences in general size of the media.

I'm planning to try to do some of my own painting on my bike, truck, and possibly another bike if I buy one this year.   This would include blasting and painting the R65LS wheels, tank and bodywork.   I'd also like to be able to blast the rust off and repaint my tractor implements: rake, grader blade, woodchipper, loader and to remove rust I'd have to use something other than pure soda.   I'd also like to be able to soda blast things like the R65 fork lowers, carbs, etc to just make them clean, etc.   But as I mentioned, I don't have much experience in this area.  I do know that I'll have to get appropriate protective equipment, respirator, hood, use hearing protection, etc.

[montmil]

Mike,  Be sure to match up your air compressor's output volume, capacity and duty cycle with whatever blaster equipment you purchase. For removing paint from cars and tractors, you'll need a fairly heavy bag of equipment. The low cost, airless compressors will be hard pressed to keep up.

I do love my little homemade, no cost, soda blaster for cleaning Beemer bits.



The complete soda shooter is shown in the bottom-right of the photo. Here's the link for the DIY low-ball soda shooter. It's a hoot to use!

http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

Monte

[nhmaf]

My present compressor is at the lower end of the acceptable range for full duty on the Easton combination unit.   But, I am thinking that I might be able to get by, as I will mostly be doing small pieces at a time, and won't be working against a clock.   The rating on my compressor is rather odd - the compressor portion itself is rated for 8.5 CFM, but the small tank valves and regulator seem to cut into the capacity as the whole unit is rated for 4.9 CFM.  

The siphon blasters are very handy and inexpensive, but the pressure tank blasters can generate much higher media velocity, so I am thinking they may clean and strip better, even if only done in few minute-at-a-time bursts.   I haven't made up my mind yet..  I don't mind hand-sanding body panels, etc, but wheels and odd-shapes with nooks & crannies, nope.