What is a sandblast cabinet?

Sand blaster cabinets, also known as media blast cabinets or abrasive blasting cabinets, are metal boxes with openings, windows, and attached gloves which allow you to use sand or another abrasive media form, to smooth rough surfaces, remove imperfections in metal, and scrap of old paint or rust.

Types of Sand Blasting cabinet

Sand blasting machines are made in a few different styles: standard, split-level, and portable. While all three styles operate in similar fashion and can use various types of blasting media, there are significant differences to each. Choosing which style will work best for you depends on how often you want to use your sand blaster and for what purposes.

Standard

These fixed cabinet blasters have openings in the front and on both sides of the machine. They’re great for working on small to medium sized objects.

Split-level

Split-level blaster cabinets are also fixed and have a hatch top that opens upward on a hinge to create a larger workspace. These cabinets are useful when working on larger or heavier objects.

Portable

Portable sand blaster cabinets, sometimes called mini sand blasters, are perfect for working with smaller or more delicate objects because they allow your to make more detailed alterations. And, of course, benchtop sandblast cabinets are completely movable, making jobs outside of your workshop or garage possible. They offer remote control operation and are usually more inexpensive than other types of sandblaster cabinets for sale.

Once you've chosen the best sandblasting equipment style for your needs, the next decision you should make is whether you want to use a siphon cabinet or a direct pressure cabinet.

Types of Blasting Systems

The question here is how you want your machine deliver your abrasive media to the blasting nozzle.

Siphon Blasting Cabinets

Siphon cabinets, also known as suction cabinets, are best for light to occasion use, general cleaning and light production jobs. They use a gun to pull abrasive media into your blasting nozzle where it is then shot from the end of the nozzle. This requires the use of more air pressure than direct pressure cabinets because the delivery is a two-step process.

However, these systems are easier to use and install and are generally less expensive than direct pressure cabinets.

Direct Pressure Cabinets

These machines can expel abrasive media at a higher blasting flow rate than siphon blasting cabinets can because, unlike the siphon delivery, this system pushes the abrasive media out directly, making completing your jobs on average much faster. The direct pressure cabinets also allow you to lower and raise the pressure to customize the flow rate for each job you do.

Aside from these choices, there are other considerations too. Media blast cabinet details varies with each model and some have better features than others.

In the end, the perfect sandblasting cabinet for you is out there. You just need to think about what features, styles, and specification will work best for what you want to use your sand blast cabinet for!