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Steve. Don't bother. Just sub it out. Or else close your sign business and open a sandblasting business. I did it for years! Never again!
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Steve, Unless you're doing a lot of blasting, John's idea of subbing it out works well. You might also look into renting the equipment when you have a large project (or a combination of smaller ones) Wood takes some "big air" but if you're blasting HDU, you can get by with much less power. If you intend to get into it in a major way, call me and I'll put you in touch with the Wood Wizard - he's a great source of info on sandblasting.
Sonny 770-923-9933
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I'm with those that say sub it out. I used to rent equipment and do my own sandblasting. The place I take it to now charges the same hourly rate as the equipment I used to rent and I don't have to take nine showers when I'm through. Sandblasting is noisy and messy.
However, it is fun sculpting a piece of material and complicated stage blasting is easier to do yourself than trying to explain what you want to someone else.
Sandblasting can also be dangerous. If you get into your own blasting, be sure to use a forced air hood, if you using sand and are not doing it in a cabinet. Silicosis is lethal. The average sandblaster died from it 12 years after embarking on that career in the days before filtered forced air.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5114 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I would agree with the above comments...and possibly with good business sense too...but we're not all good businessmen!
I read Dan Antonelli, talking about doing less in house and subbing out more and more, I have come unstuck there with screenprinting in the past, it very nearly cost me fortunes. There are good and bad from both sides.
I personally like to have more control over what I do in my shop, I also like to offer work that I can easily change or redo if the need arises without involving more outside costs. I used to sub out my Edge work but don't regret buying an Edge.
I made the mistake a few yaers back of buying cheap TIP sandblast equipment, it was very small slow, and not professionally built, but was a start.
I have a Clemco system today, everything is heavy duty and built to last, all fittings are easy to replace, just to give an example 90 degree bends are supplied with a stop bung in the bend to allow sand to collect and act as a buffer to prevent premature wear, I have a 1/4 nozzle (6.5mm) and these just screw in and out, the "deadman" is well built and great to use over longer periods, I have never had a blockage or problems as I have with the litle TIP.
Maybe I can take some close up pics this week to show more of what I mean.
I blast very little wood mainly 18lb+ HDU, but you have much better control with more powerful equipment, as other have said an air fed hood is a MUST. I have a Clemco Appollo hood like the one you see in the sign mags with Anchor's sandblast resist ad's, works great witheir own carbon floorstanding filter. I use a large trailer mounted diesel compressor, the rype used for pneumatic jackhammers, its from 1980, I bought it used and it works great. The equipment I bought new and although I am not blasting everyday, it has easily paid for itself, I think it cost around $2,500-$3,000.
The right equipment will last you your lifetime, and earn you loads. This equipment would fit your needs perfectly. If the initial cost is high, check out thru Clemco who rents out their equipment, and buy a set up that is ex-rental, 1-2 years old, you will save more there and have the right gear from the start.
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I was looking at the Harbor Freight website and came accross this unit, do you think this would work? I mainly want to blast only HDU with it. I have a friend who will give me a 80 gallon tank and was thinking of using it as a reserve tank with a seperate compressor (with a tank) feeding air.
-------------------- Tony Broussard Graphic Details Digital Media Loreauville, LA Posts: 395 | From: Loreauville, LA | Registered: Jul 1999
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Thanks guys. I have learned alot here. I think for now i would like to set up shop for house signs like Ed & Anne Smith and a house number underneath kinda thing. But i need to read up more on like what type of power i would need in both the air compressor and sandblater. to blast the signs i metioned above, properly. Just to see if its worth the the time.
Words to live by..."Never try to sandblast a live turkey" it does't work. They don't stay put long enough.
-------------------- Stephen Bender Ideal Signing & Graphics Wroxeter, ON, N0G 2X0 idealsigns@tnt21.com Posts: 44 | From: Wroxeter,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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