Vapor Blasting of parts

71Laverda750SF

71Laverda750SF

Hero member
Location
The Sunshine State
Has anyone on the forum purchased any type of vapor blasting equipment, if so what type/model? If you did buy one does it work like expected and would you buy it again? And finally, what blasting media has worked the best.

I'm looking at one made in Wisconsin in the US, and one from Vixen in the UK. Just want to make sure I get the best bang for the buck (Pound, Euro, Mark, Dirham)  8)

clay
 
I can't give you hands on experience advice but I take my parts to VaporBlast in Chilliwack, BC. He uses equipment from the UK and is very, very happy with the operation and results (and I am totally satified with the work done).

Here is the link to his site so you can maybe see or contact him regarding the equipment.

http://www.vaporblastcanada.com/

By the way ..... I won't use any other method for engine parts ...... superior results.
 
Clay, you could just try locally picking up a Northern Tools or Harbor Freight Tools Chinese cheapo for very little money. If it doesn't work well enough you just take it back. But you might be lucky, I doubt that you need something that's designed to be used every day for years.

Ken
 
mcnicol said:
Clay, you could just try locally picking up a Northern Tools or Harbor Freight Tools Chinese cheapo for very little money. If it doesn't work well enough you just take it back. But you might be lucky, I doubt that you need something that's designed to be used every day for years.

Ken
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Thanks Ken, I checked northern and harbor and did not see any wet blasting equipment (lots of dry), and a local search for providers got me the big cleaners, and now thinking about getting my boat to the marina for a bottom job  :o

I used a couple of websites and added up what I have that needs to be done using their price sheet and I'm already at $1500+. I imagine they would make me an offer to do all of it at once but that is just not feasible when you figure in totally disassembling everything at once. I figure if I need it then everybody will need it, right, a great business plan  :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:  I have plenty of time before this deployment is over to look and find what's available, and see if maybe I can find a used system.

Clay
 
It sounds like the cost of a vapor blaster is around $10000 new - for that you could get a few parts done and not have to store it.
If you find one for less it would be nice to hear about it because they look like a very cool thing...
 
For that cost I'd consider using soda blasting. I brought a $38 sand blasting gun and $60 for 50kgs of Bi-carb soda, used about 20kgs to do my motor. The results were pretty impressive.
Water soluble too.
You'll need a decent compressor though. Mine puts out about 16cf/m and has a 50lt tank. Wouldn't want to be any smaller.

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Soda blasting is very good but sometimes it can't shift all the crap. I have had to get some parts bead blasted to get them properly clean.
I much prefer soda though for the reason Rob says.
 
Looking at this model, made in the US, with everything (spares and all) but the compressor it runs about $3500 delivered. In the emails with "Rick" he said it should be able to do the job. There are no shops near me that do the work so I'm looking at it from a business perspective. We have started getting the RIF's and when I get back home I'll need something to support the moto habit (and everything else). The aviation market is relatively flat, negative in a large area, and picking up in other places so I would probably have to move to where the work is. Or, become self employed and enjoy my half days again, I'll just have to figure which 18 hours of that half day I want to work  8)

http://www.wetblasting.com/Products/3624-Vapor-Blast-Machine

Clay
 
You are in aviation? Best way to support a moto habit ...!!

By the way .... vapour blasting is getting certified for more and more aviation applications  ... at least here in Canada and in Europe. Turbomeca has some parts that can only be cleaned by this method as it does not remove any material from the part.

Jim
 
helicopterjim said:
You are in aviation? Best way to support a moto habit ...!!

By the way .... vapour blasting is getting certified for more and more aviation applications  ... at least here in Canada and in Europe. Turbomeca has some parts that can only be cleaned by this method as it does not remove any material from the part.

Jim
Click to expand...

The possibilities are endless, well sort of. I had my own 145 repair station for avionics for years until the bottom fell out and King obama calling business jets wicked machines being flown by rich CEO's. So now there may be an opportunity, that is if anyone can still afford to fly with $6.50+ avgas and $7.50 Jet A  >:( >:( >:( Still better pricing than most of the EU, but it is killing our industry. So we will see  :-\
 
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