Installing a HuraKano kit on a harbor freight 110 lb pressure pot sand blaster 

I didn’t really have any problems with the ball valve myself, it was a bit weird getting used to the idea of the bit of waste you get from not being able to start and stop as fast as a dead man’s trigger, but once you use it you get used to it. So you get your most wear from stopping the media flow because once it starts to restrict the flow to shut it off it wears against the part that is restricting the media. The wear is going to happen regardless and the only way to slow it is to use a hard material that won’t wear as fast like the steel ball valves, and to try and not shut the flow off unless you have to minimizing the shut off cycles. These two reasons are some of the Benefits fit to the ball valve, but it needs to be run full open or full closed or it will wear the ball inside as the media passes. You might be able to find an upgraded trigger with a carbide nozzle, but the tips do wear at different rates depending on the media you put through it. If it’s wearing abnormally fast you can try not stopping the flow as much or trying an upgraded trigger from a higher quality source. Another thing that might contribute is to not let the media get below around half full. When it gets low the pressure in the tank starts to equalize and begins pushing the media out the bottom. So instead of it being a low pressure at the tee on the bottom the higher pressure getting through the media starts to blast the tee with the media and will wear it out faster. I hope some of this can help.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic Interesting info about keeping the pot at least half full. I was toying with the idea of adding a pneumatic foot pedal switch on the airline that feeds the tee underneath the pot. Probably would only work as long as the pot has more media than the air inside the pot pushing the media out. My air compressor has enough capacity that it wouldn't lower the cfm with added length on the airline. On another item, when you are done with blasting, do you empty the pot of media? I do because sometimes I go a long time before using it again and I do not want any media in the tank. I bought a bunch of 5 gal buckets with lids to store the media. Right now, I am using fine crushed glass and medium coal slag. Coal slag in the cabinet blaster and crushed glass on the 110lb pot. The coal slag creates less dust so it works better in the cabinet for me.

I haven’t used mine in a while and I didn’t empty it. Hopefully I don’t have an issue when I go to use it later.

Did you open bottom hole of the tank from 3/8 to 1/2 as well ?

@@BlackDiamond-tt9nq Yes

I didn’t use the blaster with the stock hose so I’m not sure how well I would have worked. From what I saw on the ameriblaster site there are sort of tuning steps. They said to close both valves. Then open the lower low pressure valve at the bottom slowly until the media starts to come out. It will be about half open. Then open the high pressure upper valve some until you get the desired effect. I don’t know your experience with the pot blasters but from what I’ve seen they need a bit of tuning. I’m not sure if it will work right with the stock hose because I didn’t try it. Also depending on your compressor cfm rate your want to chose your pressure and nozzle size to match. My compressor doesn’t have a real high rate so I used a 1/8 nozzle size at about 75 psi. It was still under what I needed but it was close and that’s what I used in the video. I also used fine media for the 1/8 size nozzle. I screened the media before I put it into the blaster and I found a few larger particles and some caterpillars in a few of the bags. Dry air is pretty important, I had the water separator fill up and get water in the blaster and it took a while to get the media out. I had to keep shaking it to break it loose. Ameriblaster said to keep the pot 1/3 or more full at all times. Apparently if it gets to low the high pressure will come out the bottom and wear out the valve instead of the media going through with low pressure and the high pressure speeding it up as it goes through the hose. They also said have the shut off valve at the end all the way open or all the way closed. If it’s half open it will wear it out, if you have a valve at the end. Hope this helps some.

Thank you. I’m definitely happy with the kit myself. It went way better than the videos of the stock HarborFreight kits I had been watching. I didn’t have one problem with it. The only issue is some air leaks by the ball valve on the end now but that is to be expected with time. I think it took about 5 hours to blast the frame.

I’m working on a video now I hope to post Monday morning.

The kit I got was basically pipe fittings with some small details to them. What is the cfm rate of your compressor if you don’t mind me asking? There are charts to match your nozzle size with your cfm rate and operating pressure. The cfm rate of a 3/16 nozzle is about twice the rate of a 1/8 nozzle. At 70psi a 3/16 nozzle needs 33cfm as opposed to 15 cfm with a 1/8 nozzle. I don’t know if you’ve already done the research for your setup is why I ask.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic I only have a 30 gal tank, so not enough cfm's. I do have to stop every so often to fill the tank. I just do small jobs, so it's not horrible. I just had huge problems and noticed the bottleneck area. Thanks for the reply and input!

It does work pretty well. I don’t know if I saved much if any money over just getting a more expensive blaster to begin with though.

was wondering if you could replace the piece on the bottom of the sandblaster, use a tap to put a bigger one on if that would help.

This is the media screen. a.co/d/fH0e4Cu

Your probably right. I’ll do a comparison on some future projects.

I have a husky 60 gallon compressor from home depot.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic could you use 185 cfm air compressor with this HF pot?

@@abnerromero7158 I don’t really know. I would assume but I would check the pressure output of the compressor and the maximum for the pressure pot.

It is a 60 gallon husky compressor from Home Depot.

I think I used 5 bags. It worked pretty well I was happy with it.

I used fine coal slag from tractor supply. The grit is based on the tip size and the tip size is based on the cfm of the compressor.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic so I must ask the vendor what type of sand do I need . Thanks . In your opinion ,is it a good device ? I need for repair some old cars !

It is a bit pricey. You might be able to just get a better blaster for the price of the two, but this kit does work well.

I used fine grit coal slag. The media grit is based off the tip of the media blaster you are using. I had a 1/8 inch tip because of my cfm rate. I was using a 60 gallon husky compressor set at around 75-80 psi higher pressure would work better but my compressor by the numbers would have a hard time keeping up at a higher pressure. It was running almost constantly at this pressure. It would shut off but not for long.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic Thanks I have the same air compressor..I’m looking to detail a frame but still have the cab installed. Will be easier to sand blast then use a wire brush. Great job thanks..

I couldn’t imagine doing it with a wire brush

I got it off eBay but I came from tptools. I don’t recall if it’s cheaper from them directly or eBay. Abrasive Sand Blast Sand Sifter Screen, Made in USA #1360-16 www.ebay.com/itm/Abrasive-Sand-Blast-Sand-Sifter-Screen-Made-in-USA-1360-16-/273264712051?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

It’s as time allows but I’m shooting for before winter. I’m going to home for this week because I got covid so I’ll have some time to work on it. I sand blasted and put a coat of paint on the axles yesterday, but I’m waiting on bolts to come for them to reinstall them. I’d like to have the axles and drivetrain back in buy the end of this week if I get my parts in the mail. My next hurdle is going to be getting the cab to work on the lift so I can lower it onto the frame. I don’t want to use the excavator to put it on, it’s a little risky. Then painting the cab I need to find time for, and get the paint. On the other side of the hump now though, it’s just going back together now

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic get well soon Jason.

Thank you. I’m on the backside of it now. I kinda got my sense of smell and taste back, It’s weird having none.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic At the shop I worked at a long time ago. We had to do that. I forget why we pulled the cab off, it was a diesel of some kind. It belonged to the government so who knows, but we used a welding table with wheels to drop the body on after we rolled the frame out. We needed the lift for other jobs. It worked pretty well.

Sorry I kept forgetting. The cfm is 13.4 scfm at 40psi and 11.5scfm at 90psi. 155hp and 3.7 hp 60 gallon tank. I ran it at 75psi and a 1/8 nozzle and fine coal slag media. I only stopped a few times for the compressor to catch up but it would also catch up when I refilled the pressure pot with material. It was able to run as long as I wanted to at those pressures. Nozzle size makes the biggest difference in air consumption. I believe 100psi is the most efficient pressure to run at but my compressor can’t handle the cfm rate. There are charts you can find that will tell you what to expect with different nozzle sizes and pressure and the cfm rate required for them.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic wow. thank you so much for all that info. I really appreciate it.

I used the Harbor freight sand blaster the way it is new. Ton of sand. Screened and completely completely Dry. Harbor freight 200 psi gas.with a 60 gallon storage extra. tank. For volume Sandblasted my entire Chevy Truck. In pieces though. And don't use a wire brush. One wire strand in your blaster.Will cause issues.

Here is what they are selling now. I didn’t see that kit anymore it looks like the el fang kit is what they are selling now. www.ameriblaster.com/shop

It was a hurakano kit. I don’t see it listed any more. I’d try emailing them and asking if they still make it.

Thanks I’ll appreciate it. I just bout the same 110lbs from harbor freight and does not work. I might need a kit like your to make it work.

What media grit are you using. I believe your probably gonna want fine grit. There is a lot of information on the ameriblaster site that should help with setting up a blaster that might help. I used fine grit with I think a 1/8 nozzle size. The nozzle size it sized for your cfm rate and the media is sized for the nozzle size. Start with you ball valves closed and open the lower valve on the bottom slowly untill media starts flowing out of the nozzle then open the upper valve untill you get a sand haze coming out. The media needs to be dry. I can’t blame you for wanting one of the kits though they work pretty well. I have no complaints with mine.

I am using fine grit as well. I have the husky 60 gallon compressor. I think using the kit you have should help me as well. I just order a kennametal 1/8 nozzle. I think I will still need to buy the kit you have tho.

I’ve been using the Deadhead nozzle it came with. I think that’s part of the problem .

I’m not sure if it will. I would call them and ask to verify. I don’t know much about media blasting except point and shoot really. There is a phone number at there site to call them. www.ameriblaster.com/

Thank you Jason, your technical explanation was far above point and shoot. I appreciate the technical help and will keep you posted on what the conversion brings. Chris

I don’t actually remember if there were any instructions with the kit. There weren’t many parts to it so I don’t think there should be much of an issue installing it. The set up instructions to tune the blaster to run efficiently I believe I found on there website. It might have been in a video on there website I can’t really remember it was a while ago.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic thank you.

I’ve had that mask for a while. It was given to me a long time ago. I’ve gotten them from a auto paint supplier before and I think HarborFreight sells them too.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic ok cool thanks! Also did you paint the frame or have it powder coated?

I painted it with southern polyurethane’s black epoxy primer.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic I just read about it on their site. So now you can put down another color or just leave that primer on it?

It is some pretty good paint I’ve found. I had asked them about leaving it in just the primer and they said it would work well. I think direct sunlight needs a recoat every few years but suspension and frame they said it should be good. Of course being a truck it may get more sunlight then a vehicle that is fully covered so we shall see how it holds up. It still looks like new as of today. The only problem I have is jacking the vehicle up with painted axles. I have a thick piece of rubber I put on the jack to lift it.

It’s nice when things actually work.

The kit was $193 from ameriblaster and the harbor freight 110lb sand blaster was $150 so it was about 350. But you can get the harbor freight kit for less with their coupons. Ameriblaster has other products for less as well.

I am using a 60 gallon husky compressor 3.7hp 11.5cfm @ 90psi. It was enough to work. I had 75psi going to the blaster and it ran a lot but would keep up and shut off here and there. There are charts you can find online to match up cfm rates with pressure and nozzle size.

thanks and have a great holiday season

As of today it is $226.00 but I think it was less when I bought it I can’t remember.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic hell thats more than my sandblaster

They are pricy. I did blast for 5 hours and not a single clog or problem though. I want to say it was 185 when I bought it but that was pre covid inflation.

I know what you mean. Auto manufacturers fight to keep the aftermarket from making parts and then they won’t make them either.

No one made you watch the free video. I don’t know why people think I owe them what they want because I took the time to make a video that cost them nothing. I get it you want exactly what your looking for spoon feed as fast as possible exactly how you like it.

@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic i like people getting to the point, it's obvious you like the add revenue from stretching it out.... It costs viewers time, is your time free?

@@markpasieka I guess you think my time should be free apparently. It has nothing to do with revenue it’s just how I make my videos. If you don’t like it don’t watch it. It takes a real jerk to complain about free information because it’s not how you want it. There was no click bait or anything like that, I didn’t trick you into anything. Honestly do you really think your justified in your response. Your a guy who went and found pretty much the only video on this kit, didn’t like how long I took in MY video to show you what you wanted, couldn’t find the fast forward button, and decided to insult the guy who didn’t give you what you wanted. Pure and simple. I looked at your videos and personally I’m not impressed either but I don’t feel the need to insult you for trying. You know why because it’s not a big deal. Have fun gracing people with your personality I’m sure it gets you far.

Good to know.