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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 17:05:03 GMT
i have had an idea that i am looking into.
I fancy giving this vapor blasting a go, from looking around the machines aint cheap, so will have to save a bit for it but its something i could do.
The 30 litre ultrasonic cleaner (fecking tiny) has arrived as has my polisher machine (not so fecking tiny).
I have the compressor already and the bike stand and the shot blaster cabinet for the worshop shed.
And would love to put a vapour blaster in there as well, they are pretty much self contained.
Any one heard any reports on them?
Cheers all.
Gee.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 18:15:02 GMT
Hi Gee, Similar thoughts. I came close to buying one 18 months or so ago. I went up to Vixen's factory with some ali bike parts to see a demo of their Aquablast 915. Fantastic bit of kit! Completely self contained version- the blast media is filterd through a paper roll over the tank, so no mains drainage required. The only downside is that they use a horrendous amount of compressed air- far more than my current setup. So it would have meant a new compressed air plant as well- budget never ran to it so went no further. If you see one in action you will want one... www.vixen.co.uk/wet-blasting-machines.html
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 18:23:16 GMT
It was a vixen one I was looking at...was it a 10hp comp needed Paul?
I think the next model up has everything in it, still alot of homework to do on it, but the vids look mighty impressive.
Cheers Paul.
Gee.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 19:00:26 GMT
I would have to hunt out all the paperwork- the air requirements seemed to be very difficult to get figures off Vixen I recall. I had no problems with the 3-phase as it was going in at work.
I found it quite a frustrating experience with Vixen TBH. I remember they would not just send all the literature out without their "local" rep contacting me. So get him to call me says I and then waited 10 days and chased. Turned out he was based at the factory anyway. I booked a demo and drove up to Thornaby with a few bike bits to try. I was really impressed with the machine I was shown, but the sales pitch was that it was a refurb with brand new pumps and nozzles, repainted, etc- available for a specially discounted price. It looked like a brand new machine to me and the refurb spiel was a sales ploy. The deal was only available there and then if I ordered that day. I knew I had a problem with the air supply but the guy wouldn't be pinned down on the actual free flow/air pressure required- but I needed to be chased on it. And finally the sneaky bugger only half blasted everything I took up- so no freebies!
It is still the machine to get though. I was impressed by the control you had with the air pressure and different media to get various finishes- but it is just so perfect for aluminium. Shitty to perfect in one step. Leaves rubber parts alone. He also demo'd blasting steel items, different media again and you can add chemicals to the water to preserve, protect, etc.
On the financial side- if I had been on a forum like this at the time and had people possibly wanting items blasted cheaper than elsewhere but still able to claw back my own costs it would have been an even easier decision. Even without that I have loads of stuff myself that needs doing.
I'll see if I can hunt out the folder on it tomorrow?
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Post by davefirestorm on Dec 3, 2014 19:13:27 GMT
Vapour blasting been around for years now,my experience of it was high pressure needed and parts blasted would tend to rust even with rust inhibitor used and when alloy parts blasted they would attract muck/finger prints and it's difficult to get all the abrasive medium out of nooks and crannies.Just add that I haven't used a vapour blaster for many years and things may have changed on present process
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Post by Harold on Dec 4, 2014 12:07:41 GMT
I just left my carbs up to a fella last night to get them vapour blasted and he said he used a very low pressure, not sure if he meant air or water though. Saw some of the stuff he had done and it looked very well. Should be ready by next week so I'm looking forward to seeing the results. The machine he had cost him £8000.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 13:09:32 GMT
Did he say how much he would charge you?
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Post by Harold on Dec 4, 2014 13:44:44 GMT
£40 Paul that includes putting them through the sonic cleaner, vapour blasting them and then rebuilding them. I didn't think that was too bad.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 14:04:26 GMT
That is good Harold- but Gee would do them for a tenner AND send it back with a free piece of Scottish shortbread....
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Post by stevie on Dec 4, 2014 14:16:40 GMT
£40 Paul that includes putting them through the sonic cleaner, vapour blasting them and then rebuilding them. I didn't think that was too bad. That seems like a good price to me Harold
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 15:01:00 GMT
Found the Vixen folder- this is the animal we are talking about. The back page states 40cfm air per minute- around 1133 litres/min. Well above the capability of most home/hobby compressors and firmly in 3-phase driver territory....
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Post by davefirestorm on Dec 4, 2014 16:00:00 GMT
Ultrasonic clean would be best way to remove all abrasive I just used to wash in water when I did anything but never blasted a carb.My first job I had as an apprentice was to vapour blast seal rings that went on the track of a Chieften tank,happy days lol
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 16:53:34 GMT
I just received n email back from them, they said
Dear Mr Whitelaw, "Many thanks for your enquiry. You do require an air compressor to run the Aquablast wetblasting machines. We normally recommend a minimum of 25cfm, but if you were purchasing a new compressor we could recommend you went for 40cfm. If you would like me to ask one of our representatives to contact you, please confirm where you are located and I will ask the local engineer to call you to discuss the machines and pricing in further detail". Kind Regards Debbie
Now then, that's a 10HP compressor whitch are thousands (cheapest £2500 clark) on top of say a £4000 machine...blinkin eck.
£4000 was do-able...but wire brush my bits not this much........for a shed!
Gee.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 17:06:35 GMT
Sounds like you are treading the same steps as I did Gee.
Actually my documentation is from Sept 2012 so over 2 years ago, but it was the air supply that killed it. I was all out of love and so lost without it....
I did ask in detail at the factory about the possibility of smaller nozzles and/or running at a reduced pressure, but I got the feeling this makes it a bit ineffective. The whole idea is to keep the media moving at the work at high velocity. I used to spec/install/maintain large compressed air systems, and in a commercial premises you have to jump through so many safety and insurance hoops to have such equipment onsite.
I would still have one and probably will one day- perhaps when I have to renew the present compressor and receiver we have....
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2014 17:22:27 GMT
Sounds like you are treading the same steps as I did Gee. Actually my documentation is from Sept 2012 so over 2 years ago, but it was the air supply that killed it. I was all out of love and so lost without it.... I did ask in detail at the factory about the possibility of smaller nozzles and/or running at a reduced pressure, but I got the feeling this makes it a bit ineffective. The whole idea is to keep the media moving at the work at high velocity. I used to spec/install/maintain large compressed air systems, and in a commercial premises you have to jump through so many safety and insurance hoops to have such equipment onsite. I would still have one and probably will one day- perhaps when I have to renew the present compressor and receiver we have.... Its coming down to £1300 for the compressor...but still way off Paul. I dot want to sell any bikes to pay for it all. I will wait until next year and keep a close eye on things. Might get a compressor then see how it looks next year for the vapor blaster. But i know me...cant wait for nought! Gee.
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