Cabinet

A sandblasting cabinet is an enclosed box like container that is used to keep abrasives in one place.  Since it holds all the abrasives from being blasted all over a room or outside, its main goal is to recollect the sand.  This way the abrasive media can be used multiple times.

Most abrasives can last for ten to one hundred times and can be expensive.  So this way you don’t have to keep purchasing new abrasive for your sandblaster.

It depends on the cabinet setup on how it recycles the abrasive for a second time.  Most cabinets have a funnel like fabrication at the bottom.  While the item is being sandblasted, the sand or abrasive falls down through the shelving with holes in it which is known as expanded metal.  When the abrasive falls down, the funnel collects it all at the bottom to a narrow point.  Popular cabinets are configured with a siphon sandblaster and a collection hose is placed at the bottom which vacuums up the abrasive so its constantly reused as shown in the picture below.

Cabinets for a pressure pots are usually configured differently and can be more complicated.  You can always use a pressure pot for a siphon cabinet system though- by placing the pressure pots hose through a cut hole in the front.  Then you would need to push the hose through the hole and seal it up.  With this method, you need to open up the bottom of the funnel and refill the abrasive into the pressure pot tank each time.  Other complicated pressure pot cabinet systems automatically recollect the abrasive at the bottom which are much more expensive.

In general, a cabinet unit contains a transparent window glass which is used for viewing while you work.  Then there are gloves placed on the front under the viewing glass where you can place your hands inside the cabinet to hold the item being blasted and hold the sandblaster nozzle.   The sides are usually both hinged doors so you can get access inside to place the item.

A somewhat optional item used is a vacuum to suction out the dust cloud.  It is optional, but its almost required and recommend, especially for a pressure pots and long blasting times since it will help you see what your blasting. These are called dust collectors.