Sand Blaster Disaster

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:44:24 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Sand Blaster Disaster

A friend and I made a sand blaster that we modeled after one that I saw in the forums. We have used it numerous times.It blew up today. The top exploded off and went thru the roof. The regulator and hoses hit my friend in the face and scoured his eyes with sand and shrapnel knocking his safety glasses and respirator off. He just got out of surgery removing the last of the sand and shrapnel out of his eyes. No permanent damage. Thank goodness, he could have been dead. 40psiOh its only 40psi. Thats what we thought.If you are using anything that is altered from its original engineered form. Throw it awayMillermatic® 252 w/ Spoolmatic® 30AHypertherm Powermax65Jet 5" x 6" Horizontal / Vertical Bandsaw DEWALT 14in. Abrasive Chop SawThemal Gel so the welding doesn't melt my Igloo
Reply:And idiots argue with the forums all the time when we tell them they are way beyond their knowlage baseVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Originally Posted by DualieAnd idiots argue with the forums all the time when we tell them they are way beyond their knowlage base
Reply:Originally Posted by AKwatermanOk, I don't appreciate the name calling, but thank you for posting your concern on the other form thread
Reply:Sad to hear about the damage to your friend, this is a lesson learned the hard way. I would hope that others would take these lessons with a major grain of salt especially when working on pressure vessels, I never weld on a properly built device, I'll always take it to someone that has the proper training in pressure vessel welding. 40 psi may sound reasonable, but it's not, as your example shows. You and your friend are lucky that more damage wasn't done, as DSW points out, photos are a great vehicle for education and learning aid so that others can take your lessons to heart. My old compressor (125 psi) scares the poop out of me when I think about about the results of pressure vessel failure. All the best to you and your friend,When a welder tells you to "stick it", what do they really mean?"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Reply:AKwaterman,  I am sorry to hear of this. There is a thread about a home made sand blaster over on the Miller forum. It is a very bad accident waiting to happen. http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...de+sandblaster I truly hope you will post pics of at least the failed unit and accident site so that others can see exactly what some of the pro's on here are trying to help people avoid when they try to steer people away from things like this. With pics added and maybe a link to the place you originally got the idea from, this would be an excellent "sticky" for the Safety section of this forum.Yep, people think that 40lbs "ain't much". Your friend is very lucky that this did not end up costing him his life.  A lesson learned the hard way. As for Dualie's comments, I beleive that had you posted your intentions on this forum you would for sure been advised NOT to do it from several of the pro's here. If you had posted and ignored the advice that would surely have been given, then you would be one of those "idiots" he is refering to. But since this did not happen, the "lesson learned the hard way" applies. Now, if you guys do it again, well....jrw159EDIT: No offense intended to the OP but the Moderator should really move this to the Safety section of this forum.Last edited by jrw159; 01-06-2012 at 08:51 AM.Reason: Request to move thread to "Safety"..... maybe as a "Sticky".
Reply:Originally Posted by jrw159AKwaterman,  I am sorry to hear of this. There is a thread about a home made sand blaster over on the Miller forum. It is a very bad accident waiting to happen. http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...de+sandblaster I truly hope you will post pics of at least the failed unit and accident site so that others can see exactly what some of the pro's on here are trying to help people avoid when they try to steer people away from things like this. With pics added and maybe a link to the place you originally got the idea from, this would be an excellent "sticky" for the Safety section of this forum.Yep, people think that 40lbs "ain't much". Your friend is very lucky that this did not end up costing him his life.  A lesson learned the hard way. As for Dualie's comments, I beleive that had you posted your intentions on this forum you would for sure been advised NOT to do it from several of the pro's here. If you had posted and ignored the advice that would surely have been given, then you would be one of those "idiots" he is refering to. But since this did not happen, the "lesson learned the hard way" applies. Now, if you guys do it again, well....jrw159EDIT: No offense intended to the OP but the Moderator should really move this to the Safety section of this forum.
Reply:Sorry to hear about the accident. Sadly I also suspect that this type of thing will happen again. Many years ago I apprenticed in Berlin, Germany at a plant making Propane tanks. Every so often a sample tank was tested with air in a 2 m deep water tank and there were occasional "Whooshs" and the maintenance man had to get the mop out. I definitely suggest to have welding on a pressurized system done by a certified welder. Of course, some of us operate beyond the last mailbox and there I advise to test at least with water first. Remember, air is a gas and gases can be compressed (when released gases expand they can sometimes cause violent results) liquids cannot be compressed (there are some aguments about this but the proportion is much smaller) and so they are safer. Although not totally safe, water is a usable alternative in most cases. Just my two cents worth. Take care and have funLast edited by Pepo; 01-06-2012 at 09:30 AM.
Reply:I'm going to have to disagree with you JR, I think threads like this need to be stickies on both the general welding question and project pages. I say this because the vast majority of poeple who would try projects like this aren't going to check the safety page. They're going to see who's done the project they want to do and then try to do it themselves "if he can do it, so I can I." they igrnore the "safety" minded posts that are on those threads. Because they have no true intention of making sure it's safe. if they did, they'd just go out and buy one.Personally, where as I'm the type of person to do everything I can myself. I have my children and other people around where I'm working on a regular basis. I aslo intend to teach my children how to use all of my tools safely. that in mind, I will not be make anything that is a preasure vessal myself. and I have every intention of replacing anything that is a preasure vessal on a regular basis. I've heard of people keeping air compressors around for 10+ years. I will keep mine for 5 at most before replacing it/ converting it to a BBQ/Smoker. The cost of the tools, to me, is far less than the risk to the people Iove.AK - Please post pictures. not for morbid facination, but just to drive home the point about how much damage something like this can cause. because far to often the people that experience a disaster like this don't have the oppertunity to share.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:ThorsHammer,  I agree, you have a very good point there. jrw159
Reply:I would have to agree with ThorsHammer, I'm new here and have been lurking for a while now...and I must confess I have never visited the Safety Forum. I will make it a point to do so periodically! This post has enlightened me and would not have done so if it were moved quickly to that forum. Glad you are ok AKwaterman, and I wish your friend a full and speedy recovery.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammer...I have every intention of replacing anything that is a preasure vessal on a regular basis. I've heard of people keeping air compressors around for 10+ years. I will keep mine for 5 at most before replacing it/ converting it to a BBQ/Smoker. The cost of the tools, to me, is far less than the risk to the people Iove.
Reply:sorry to hear about your friend i hope he is okbobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:Glad you are ok, and hope he makes a full recovery. Pics please? I want to know how a sandblaster cabinet blows up.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GamblePics please? I want to know how a sandblaster cabinet blows up.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterYeah me also..I find it VERY hard to believe a blasting cabinet would "Blow Up" and go thru a roof..There is no pressure in the cabinet itself ...Just in the air in hose..and the sand falls thru the grate into a pile in the bottom only to get sucked up by the media hose..I have run sandblasters my whole life and the only thing that has happened is the vaccumncleaner crapped out..This does have a vaccumn canister right?I still don't believe it and this had better NOT be a bogus thread.....zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleGlad you are ok, and hope he makes a full recovery. Pics please? I want to know how a sandblaster cabinet blows up.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleGlad you are ok, and hope he makes a full recovery. Pics please? I want to know how a sandblaster cabinet blows up.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleGlad you are ok, and hope he makes a full recovery. Pics please? I want to know how a sandblaster cabinet blows up.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammer;637981Am I blind? where in the OP does it say anything about a cabinet?
Reply:Maybe I'm just assuming since a cabinet would have a roof.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerAm I blind? where in the OP does it say anything about a cabinet?
Replyics of failed pot?
Reply:I've got to admit, I'm very disappointed in the move to move this thread. as stated above,  the people who will benefit the most from a thread like this wont check the saftey forum. case in point the other blaster thread currently on the project forum. "second project...."There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Replyefinetly a good story to warn anyone who's first project wants to be a pressure vessel of any sort. This should be a sticky to remind anyone what 40 psi can do. Glad both of you walked away from it._AlexLast edited by ArcSpark96; 01-06-2012 at 06:32 PM.-AlexSears/Craftsman 230A Buzzy BoxSears/Craftsman 180A Buzzy BoxChicago Electric 80A InverterALL STICK...ALL THE TIME!I spent a lot of time with the square peg and round hole.Thank you all for the kind words. My friend had his check up this morning and all is well. He has some cuts and bruises on his face and is still sensitive to light. To clear up what we built- It is a positive pressure sand blaster. It worked great until it didn't.We just had a snow storm and I am busier than a one legged man in an ***-kicking contest so I will post some pics when I get some time. Again, thank you for the kind wordsMillermatic® 252 w/ Spoolmatic® 30AHypertherm Powermax65Jet 5" x 6" Horizontal / Vertical Bandsaw DEWALT 14in. Abrasive Chop SawThemal Gel so the welding doesn't melt my Igloo
Reply:Really glad you both escaped, but sad you had to suffer. I decommissioned my modified air tank last spring after Mike's (mla2ofus) thread "Stay from those old compressor---"http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...tay+compressorCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:AKwaterman  = "40psi... Oh its only 40psi. Thats what we thought."Yeah, that was my thought too; that's hardly more than used to inflate a tire.Hmmm, got me rethinking the respect (or lack of) that I pay to my small 5 gallon air compressors.Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VAKwaterman  = "40psi... Oh its only 40psi. Thats what we thought."Yeah, that was my thought too; that's hardly more than used to inflate a tire.Hmmm, got me rethinking the respect (or lack of) that I pay to my small 5 gallon air compressors.
Reply:Originally Posted by jrw159AKwaterman,  I am sorry to hear of this. There is a thread about a home made sand blaster over on the Miller forum. It is a very bad accident waiting to happen. http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...de+sandblaster
Reply:Ive seen large army tire blow out on filling. It's loud and scary, and can definitely damage your eyes. Just a few months ago, the hose on the concrete pumper failed. The spray cracked the window of a truck parked too close, and beat up the faces of the two guys standing right there. I dont know how much pressure is in that hose for pumping concrete, but I dont feel silly about saying it's not "high pressure".There is a yearly publication, "Accidents in North American Mountaineering". Even though I dont climb much anymore, I still read it every year. A good incident/accident report is worth it's weight in gold. The accident experienced by the OP is a grand reason to be careful when "engineering" your own stuff.Weldanpower 225 G7Ironworkers Local #24
Reply:I wouldnt be in the same town as who ever built that blaster..... no offense but, that kind of item(pressure vessel) takes some skill and effort to build..... look at the welds on that thing,... need i say more....sorry about your buddy, hope you and him are ok, but welding a pressurized vessel is not for a hobby welder.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI've got to admit, I'm very disappointed in the move to move this thread. as stated above,  the people who will benefit the most from a thread like this wont check the saftey forum. case in point the other blaster thread currently on the project forum. "second project...."
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammer  the people who will benefit the most from a thread like this wont check the saftey forum.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerthe people who will benefit the most from a thread like this wont check the saftey forum.
Reply:Something about the video doesn't sit right with me...  I wouldn't deny that welding on a rim with an inflated tire is a poor life choice, however the temperature spiking from ~300F to +1000F in a matter of seconds 2min after the weld was completed? (Which was only 2-3" long?)After 2 min the weld would be just about cool enough to touch (briefly)Maybe there is something going on here with pressure vs. temperature that I am not aware of, but otherwise not sure how I feel about that.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:www2.worksafebc.com/PDFs/investigations/IIR2005108320019.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallwww2.worksafebc.com/PDFs/investigations/IIR2005108320019.pdf
Reply:Basically, the rubber inside the tire begins to combust.  This produces a massive and very rapid spike in pressure.  The combustion is the reason that both the heat and pressure spike rapidly which causes the tire to explode.--WintermuteLast edited by wintermute; 01-10-2012 at 01:33 PM."No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:First off, AKwaterman, I appreciate your post. Your willingness to share may save a brothers life.Thank you. Originally Posted by jrw159  http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...de+sandblaster.
Reply:Still waiting for picts....    .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I worked in a shop that made their own pots for feeding submerged arc welding flux.  They saw no problems and there had to be ten of those pots in that shop welded by guys who did not have any pressure tickets nor had ever even done a pipe test... those pots are still there I am sure and one day.....  Workers compo will just love it when there is no ASME tag on those pots.  I hope no one is seriously injured.
Reply:Still waiting for picts 350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off