Blasted !

[Tropicalcats]

I had a chance this weekend to use my new HF blast cabinet and it was just that a blast to use. I got it just before Christmas along with a 5.5 hp 240 volt compressor. Both worked great. I took the time when putting the cabinet together to make sure it was sealed up tight both with the cheap foam stripping they supplied and running a bead of sealer around all seams on the cabinet. Hooked up my vacuum and all was good. First thing I blasted was my seat tracks and again it was all good.
The problem I had was light in the cabinet even with the one that was included with the cabinet it was not bright enough. I bought a couple 27 LED magnetic flashlights and stuck them on the inside top of the cabinet and that helped. Just wonder if anybody has ideas for a brighter light for the cabinet. The other problem I have is the plastic covers for the inside of the cabinet that goes on the window. They lasted about half a seat track. Should they last longer? Is there a better way to protect the glass? Is it something I'm doing? Or just the way it is and I should invest in a lot of cheap protective film.
Words from Master Blasters is much appreciated.

[72cudamaan]

Are you using a regulator for the pressure? And make sure you're pointing the nozzle away from the glass. I've had my HF blaster for about 4 years and I've changes the glass twice in that time.

[duodec]

I use these as undercabinet lights (the vendor shown was just the first I found, this isn't a recommendation). 

I would use the clear tubes designed to protect fluorescent tubes from the hardware store and put these inside and seal the ends for your environment (if you do you can likely just buy a roll of the LEDs and skip the aluminum channel).  You can run several strips across the top and with care down the vertical corners to provide pretty even lighting, and a modest 12VDC power supply would run them all.  You can also find those power supplies on ebay if you don't have one handy.

Just a thought...

[Topcat]

What type of media are you using?

In a smaller cabinet, lighter weight media at a higher PSI will bounce more deflecting around inside.

Bigger cabinets that are deeper tend to have the glass cover last longer.

[Tropicalcats]

What type of media are you using?

In a smaller cabinet, lighter weight media at a higher PSI will bounce more deflecting around inside.

Bigger cabinets that are deeper tend to have the glass cover last longer.

The only media I have used so far is black aluminum oxide @ 100 PSi

[72cudamaan]

The only media I have used so far is black aluminum oxide @ 100 PSi

That's a very aggressive media. What type of items are you blasting? And you can probably turn down the pressure
to 60-70 psi and still get good results. Black oxide is for heavy rust removal. Glass bead is used for most general light
rust ,scale and paint removal.

[Topcat]

.

[Haddixj]

I thought any silica products were a no go? When I blasted the front frame and firewall on my Chevelle we used that black media in a pot blaster and it worked good but the car had zero rust it was just for stripping paint.

[Tropicalcats]

I was using the aluminum oxide to remove powder coating on my seat tracks. Came off great. Nice smooth finish I had asked around and that was the suggestion for the PC

[Topcat]

I thought any silica products were a no go? When I blasted the front frame and firewall on my Chevelle we used that black media in a pot blaster and it worked good but the car had zero rust it was just for stripping paint.

You need to use a vacuum filtration system ported to exhaust outside on any type of sand/glass media. Silica dust is nothing to be messin around with.

[Tropicalcats]

You need to use a vacuum filtration system ported to exhaust outside on any type of sand/glass media. Silica dust is nothing to be messin around with.

Even with a non lethal  type you want to use universal precautions. When blasting I have my shop vac hooked up to and on. I have a port on the side of the cabinet. Make sure your filter stays clean. I also wear a mask even though I have not seen any media dust escape the cabinet but like I said I took extra care to seal it tight and create that negative are flow.
I removed asbestos for a couple summers while going to school and one of the things I took from that is to always protect your lungs. With that said one of the saddest things I see and deal with daily is people with breathing issues. Not a line I want to stand in.