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Cold Jet/ColdJet 250-FP?

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ERAD_DIB

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I think the company name is actually two words, but since the search function doesn't like words of less than four letters . . . :rolleyes:

Anyway, I've seen a couple of the early-model "RDS 250 FP" dry ice blasters for sale recently. About all I know is that they're all-pneumatic, dual hose, and hold about 30 pounds of pellets. Has anyone here used one? Is anyone still using one?

My thought was that maybe I could pick up a DIB machine for three figures instead of five. (I don't like numbers that have commas in them, and aren't income. :eek: )
Another consideration for me would be to only have to acquire a compressor, instead of a compressor and generator for most Cold Jet blasters. The one description I found on the 'Net said it "operates at 60 -120 psi and 120 to 300 cfm." I was figuring on a compressor that would handle up to 185 CFM or so for the newer Cold Jet machines. Is that higher flow rate on the 250-FP because of the dual hoses? What are you Cold Jet operators using for a compressor? (Make/model info appreciated.) There won't be any "house air" on many of my potential jobs.

Whaddya think? Grab one (or both), or {MP&THG mode} "Run away!!!" {close mode}?
Thanks for any info.
 
#2 ·
I think the RDS 250 FP is a unit that was made by Alpheus but was branded by Coldjet when they bought them out- I could be wrong though. Anyway, that is an older unit - completely pneumonic...I have a Power PTX unit that is also pnuemonic, good unit and has done me well BUT it does have limitations and issues. 'Freeze up' is a big issue with a pneumonic machines - also, they usually don't have insulated hoppers or hoppers that agitate and that usually creates flow problems.
I use a 2000 Atlas Copco 185cfm unit for my blaster - max 120psi. That is typically more than enough for any DIBing situation...I think most units have a max psi of 140.

Maybe contact Coldjet and see what they say about that unit? they are really good with their customer service...
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
CO2Solutions said:
I think the RDS 250 FP is a unit that was made by Alpheus but was branded by Coldjet when they bought them out- I could be wrong though.
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I think you're right, they do go that far back. There are/were a couple of units on eBay that are listed as CAE Alpheus rather than Cold Jet.
'Freeze up' is a big issue with a pneumonic machines - also, they usually don't have insulated hoppers or hoppers that agitate and that usually creates flow problems.
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I think I'd be happier without that kind of stuff. I'm cranky enough most days without additional irritations.
I saw the photos of that storefront job you did, with the blaster and dryer in one pic. I'm giving some serious thought to running a dryer with whatever compressor I get, even if I'm not running a machine that's "picky" about moisture.

Maybe contact Coldjet and see what they say about that unit? they are really good with their customer service...
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Yeah, I think I'm going to stick with a newer unit, even if it's some eBay deal. I'm hoping to get to talk to Cold Jet on Monday, and maye look into leasing or renting.
Thanks for your input.
 
#4 ·
You'll pretty much need some sort of aftercooler with any DIB you get - moisture is the enemy! lol...I ended up just getting Coldjets version but they are pretty simple to build.

I saw a Coldjet Aero 30 listed on ebay a few weeks ago - it is an amazing unit and it had tons of extra's. Here is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=320338821470
Its basically half the price of new, and its not even broken in yet.
Keep your eye out over the internet. I'm sure many companies will be liquidating their equipment, so many plants have closed down...
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
CO2Solutions said:
You'll pretty much need some sort of aftercooler with any DIB you get - moisture is the enemy! lol...I ended up just getting Coldjets version but they are pretty simple to build.
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That's good to know. Thanks.

I saw a Coldjet Aero 30 listed on ebay a few weeks ago - it is an amazing unit and it had tons of extra's. Here is the link: [%< snipped %< ]
Its basically half the price of new, and its not even broken in yet.
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That 75-DX, some AeRO 30's, and a couple of others are on my "Watching" list right now. Some of them may be several years old (more than several, in some cases), but have minimal time on their meter. All of 'em seem to come with pretty much everything needed to get blastin', except the air and the DRICE pellets.

Keep your eye out over the internet. I'm sure many companies will be liquidating their equipment, so many plants have closed down...
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And when they get running again, maybe I'll get some calls out of it. ;)
A big fishing bait company in this area used to get a boxcar load of bagged staurolite every now and then for blast-cleaning their boat hulls, but apparently they caught hell from the EPA or somebody about that, maybe three or four years ago. I'll have to find out what they're using now.
They also manufacture and distribute "wet" ice, but I don't think they do anything with CO2-type stuff. Now that would be "cool," to have a DRICE supplier that close by. :cool:
 
#6 ·
Yeah, sorry - I had an aero 30 on my watch list as well in ebay...

I know its quite an investment but there may be even a little money in Dry Ice distribution for you if there's no supplier near you. As long as there's a gas supply company that can supply you liquid CO2 then you could make your own from a pelletizer. Now, Coldejet sells a few different pelletizers - small unit makes something like 100lbs/hr of rice pellets...cost is around $40,000. Trevinek (spelling) makes a small standalone unit with recovery system for around $20,000 I think...But, you can always sell dry ice - I'm always suprised how much my supplier sells to business's and everyday people...farmers use it, fisheries/fisherman, grocery stores, restuarants, everyday people jsut come in for their lunch pails etc.
I've often thought of getting one...one thing at a time though, it'd be back to the bank! lol...
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
CO2Solutions said:
Yeah, sorry - I had an aero 30 on my watch list as well in ebay...
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No prob. The first AeRO 30 I looked at is still on my list, even though it ended a few days ago. No bids, so the seller is going to re-list it. Maybe by the time he posts it again, I'll be in a position to pounce on the deal.

[/quote]I know its quite an investment but there may be even a little money in Dry Ice distribution for you if there's no supplier near you. As long as there's a gas supply company that can supply you liquid CO2 then you could make your own from a pelletizer.[/quote]

Trevinek (spelling) makes a small standalone unit with recovery system for around $20,000 I think...
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Close enough on the name for me to find it: Triventek PE-80 and RE-80. Now that is neat! Expensive, yeah, but you can get more "mileage" out of a cylinder of gas with that recovery unit. The 400 volts required for the pelletizer makes it less than portable without the right generator, but other than that, it'd sure beat having to rely on somebody else for DRICE.

But, you can always sell dry ice - I'm always suprised how much my supplier sells to business's and everyday people...farmers use it, fisheries/fisherman, grocery stores, restuarants, everyday people jsut come in for their lunch pails etc.
I've often thought of getting one...one thing at a time though, it'd be back to the bank! lol...
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I've been giving that some thought, too. It was one of the reasons I wanted to talk to the people at the bait company. If they're thinking of it, then I'll just buy from them when the time comes, assuming they have pellets. Otherwise, we'll be kinda like competitirs, but not. Dry ice may do a lot of things that "beverage ice" won't, but that works the other way, too.
I s'pose if you put dry ice in your drink, it would get cold, but it might be a lot fizzier. :jester:

I realize sublimation is a part of how the process works, but it's a pain to have your blasting medium disappearing even when it's not being used. :mad:
 
#8 ·
I realize sublimation is a part of how the process works, but it's a pain to have your blasting medium disappearing even when it's not being used. :mad:
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This is tricky...planning jobs etc. I always make sure when I leave the depot that my bins (500-600lbs per bin) of dry ice are topped up. IF you have a good container (as some have seen better days, cracks and holes) then you won't have a problem storing it for about 4-5 days with little sublimation (bins should be stored in a cool area, out of sun and rain and he bin lined with plastic). If the bins are poor condition then you need to use it pretty quick, within a day or two. Depending on the type of work I'm doing I usually have the bin paid for in full, even with a little sublimation.
 
#9 ·
Hi CO2
I got an offer of DIB blasting an industrial unit that was damaged by cars that caught fire in there. Basically we have to remove the smoke damage (soot) from the walls and blast the floor too. the total area including walls and floor is about 1000sqmt. The walls are just concrete blocks painted over,have you cleaned smoke damage before ? how long would it take to clean the smoke damage? There does not seem to be any heat damage on the walls so the soot is not burnt on so to speak. I would be concerned about the dust created and this dust lodging back on the cleaned surface again etc, any info would be appreciated.
 
#10 ·
Oz man said:
Hi CO2
I got an offer of DIB blasting an industrial unit that was damaged by cars that caught fire in there. Basically we have to remove the smoke damage (soot) from the walls and blast the floor too. the total area including walls and floor is about 1000sqmt. The walls are just concrete blocks painted over,have you cleaned smoke damage before ? how long would it take to clean the smoke damage? There does not seem to be any heat damage on the walls so the soot is not burnt on so to speak. I would be concerned about the dust created and this dust lodging back on the cleaned surface again etc, any info would be appreciated.
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Hey Oz man,
I've done a few fire resto's, certainly not fond of them...always messy! We've only done wood in the past, it's fairly easy as the soot adheres to the sawdust for easier cleanup. One basement we did the foundation (painted cinder block) had some soot on it, we blasted but had to wipe down with soot cleaner afterwards. Pretty much, you'll lose the battle but as long as you can keep the soot dust to a minnimum - use air scrubbers/neg air manchines, probably as many as you have for that space! that will help some...
sorry, couldn't be of more help...

good luck, let me know what approach you took and how it turned out.
 
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