The simplest sandblasting machine

As you can see, these are rather large products, both in weight and in cost. Is it possible to make a 1-2 liter sandblasting device from scrap materials, spending a minimum of money? This is quite possible, especially if you have a spray gun at hand.
In everyday life, they can be used to clean rusty metal tools and parts, elements of metal gates before painting, and remove dirt from the surfaces of house and garden paths, tiled or cemented.

Manufacturing process of a simple sandblasting machine

Here are step-by-step instructions for making a homemade sandblasting machine that works on the principle of an ejector (spray gun).
Step 1. You need to buy or borrow an air gun rated for pressure up to 4 MPa, a plastic 0.5- or 1-liter bottle, a fitting, hoses and drills. We will mention other materials and tools as they are used at the appropriate step.

Step 2. We twist the cork from the bottle, and cut the remaining band on the neck with a carpenter’s knife and remove it. Screw the lid tightly into place.

Step 3.Using an electric drill and a 5 mm drill, we drill the diameter of the neck of the bottle on both sides, right under the cap itself.

Step 4. Carefully insert the tube from the kit to the air gun into the drilled holes. We determine on it the place where the bottle with sand will be located. It should be closer to the air gun. This will ensure greater structural reliability, better balancing and ease of use.

Step 5. We take the tube out of the holes in the bottle and use a marker to mark on the tube the place where an oblong hole will be cut to allow sand to come out of the container.

Step 6. Using a metal file, we make an oblong, narrow hole on the tube, carefully cleaning its edges.


Step 7. We return the tube to its place again, and the hole cut with a file should be directed downwards, and the bottle will be located vertically above it.


Step 8. Fill the places where the tube enters and exits the bottle with suitable glue, firstly, to ensure the strength of the connection, and secondly, for sealing, so that during operation of the sandblasting device the air supplied by the compressor does not escape outside.
After waiting for the glue to completely harden, you can begin testing the sandblasting machine by first pouring dry sand with a particle size of no more than 0.5 mm into a bottle, and connecting the gun with a hose to a compressor that is able to provide a pressure of 4 MPa (bar).


Step 9. We direct the gun tube at the dirt on the garden path, adjusting the air pressure, and therefore the sand flow, using the handle on the tool. The cleaning efficiency is obvious.

Step 10Let's try to remove rust from pliers that have been lying somewhere for a long time, exposed to water or humid air. By directing a stream of air mixed with sand at the rusty spots of the tool, we achieve its complete cleaning. After this treatment, the metal surface acquires a noble matte shade.



For information: a household air compressor is used as a source of compressed air, on the control panel of which there is an air flow adjustment knob, a flow meter, fittings for connecting hoses and a pressure gauge indicating the pressure in the system.
As a cleaning agent, along with fine sand, you can use finely crushed walnut shells.

Work safety

Particles of sand or its substitute fly out of the nozzle of a sandblasting device at a speed of tens of meters per second and, when reflected from the surface being cleaned, can damage unprotected parts of the body, especially eyes and hands.
Therefore, when working with a sandblasting machine, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment: goggles or a shield, a respirator, gloves, and long sleeves. It is advisable to carry out work outdoors or indoors with effective supply and exhaust ventilation.

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Original article in English