Convert existing Soda Blaster over to Dustless Blaster wet process
I have the answer to everyone's question on whether or not you can convert a dry blaster or a soda blaster to do the same thing as a Dustless Blaster. The answer is yes, you most defiantly can and it is more simple than you might think.
First I will give you a little background of myself. I have been in the auto restoration business for about 20 years, own a restoration/hot rod shop in Eugene Oregon, and have been blasting mainly car bodies for about 4 years. I'm the type of person who is always looking for better equipment, and ways of doing things.
When I was looking to purchase my first blasting pot I was debating between a Wizard Blaster ( a multi media blaster made locally) and the Dustless Blaster that I purchased with very little knowledge of the trade and was sold on MMLJ's marketing. I used the machine for about 2 years and was always less than satisfied.
After using the Dustless Blaster I quickly learned that there is nothing different about this machine that allows it to blast with water than any other dry or soda blasting machine on the market. The company MMLJ just thought outside the box and decided to poor water in a sandblaster and see what happened. So I decided to test my theory and contacted the owner of Wizard Blaster. He set me up with a Wizard Blaster and I proceeded to fill it with 5 gal. of water, 5oz of hold tight, and a 50lb bag of crushed glass, then started blasting and realized that I found something that worked more to my satisfaction than the Dustless Blaster. Now I have an over priced Dustless Blaster that I never use.
Just to clarify I am not trying to sell a Wizard Blaster (although it is a great machine), I am just letting you know that any pressurized sand or soda blaster can do the same thing as long as you have a media valve that can handle the grit I/E tungsten carbide parts ( something for you soda blaster guys to check). As far as the MMLJ products are concerned I am not trying to bash on them either but if they are going to sell old technology and try to pass it off as something new while charging way to much. I feel it is my obligation to share some of my knowledge with the people on this site that I have learned so much from. MMLJ's Sandstorm, Soda blaster, and their Dustless Blaster are all designed and function off of the same idea and are pretty much the same machine with a different label. Take a close look at there machines on their web site, it appears they have been using the same technology since the 1940's. MMLJ's products do work without much maintenance, but I think they are just to pricey for the quality and performance that you receive.
I urge anyone who has been curious about this subject to just try it out. If it doesn't work, although I know it will, all you lost was the time it took to clean your machine out. The best part is you don't need an after cooler or moister separator if you don't have one.
