Expensive sandblasting or buy a weed burner?

bbq1980 · 04-09-2014, 09:19 PM

So apparently I have a better chance of finding a needle in a haystack than I do of locating an affordable sandblaster for my new unlined UDS drum. One place in the city wanted $100 and another place closer to home wanted $150, but I need to call them back tomorrow and try and negotiate it down from $150. I prefer the peace of mind, but $150? I've probably got a bit money more invested in the drum than I want, and I wanted a nice end product that will last, but geesh. Makes me wish I bought an SS drum to start with.

I found one place that sells blasting supplies but doesn't do the actual blasting, a few places that only do large orders and I've called an auto body shop that doesn't do any blasting and doesn't know anyone locally that does.

I also can't do a large burn (town/village rule) and don't have a more remote place I can take the drum, so unless I call some more auto shops, it looks like I may be in the market for a weed burner. Any suggestions on type? I'd be looking for safe/easy to use.

I've never used a weed burner before and have none of the needed supplies, but as others have mentioned, I can probably get the one that HF sells with the push button igniter, plus striker, gloves, propane tank, and propane for less than what the sandblasters want, and at least I'd have some tools I can use again. I've also got some 220 grit sandpaper and some green scotch brite pads from the hardware store so I can scuff/clean the exterior after the burn before priming.

Anyone else find the search for a decent sandblaster this difficult? I read about folks having drums blasted for around $50 and figured it'd be cake to find someone in the NW Chicago 'burbs but apparently not. Thx for the help. I've got everything built and just need to get the burn or blasting done so I can paint and get to cookin'.

Bigbux58 · 04-09-2014, 09:20 PM

Sandblast it....

ITBFQ · 04-09-2014, 09:23 PM

I called around to a couple places here in Naperville and Yorkville. The Naperville place was around $150 if I remember right. The Yorkville place did some small work for me (an old school desk legs) and charged me next to nothing. They might be worth a call, but its a long haul from BG. Its Fox Valley Sandblasting and Powdercoating.

Good luck, and let me know what you find out if you go that route.

Fwismoker · 04-09-2014, 09:40 PM

I got mine sandblasted and high heat powder coated for 80 dollars.... they are WAY overcharging! The place i called all they do is powder coat and ceramic coating.

DriverWild · 04-09-2014, 09:48 PM

If you regret not getting SS your drum should sell quickly on CL. So you could still change your mind. I burned and steel brushed mine out but will go SS next time.

bbq1980 · 04-09-2014, 09:51 PM

Thanks for input.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigbux58

Sandblast it....

I'm considering it, mostly because it'd be a professional job and I believe in the "do it right the first time, or else invest more time/money to fix it" approach.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITBFQ

I called around to a couple places here in Naperville and Yorkville. The Naperville place was around $150 if I remember right. The Yorkville place did some small work for me (an old school desk legs) and charged me next to nothing. They might be worth a call, but its a long haul from BG. Its Fox Valley Sandblasting and Powdercoating.

Yup, Fox Valley is a hike. I was hoping for a place closer by, but I've been searching on and off for weeks. If I go that route, I'll let you know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fwismoker

I got mine sandblasted and high heat powder coated for 80 dollars.... they are WAY overcharging! The place i called all they do is powder coat and ceramic coating.

Yeah, no kidding. But I guess it is what it is. If I go with it, hopefully they do a good job. It stinks too since I'm practically done with the build. I'll figure it out, one way or the other.

smokin30-06 · 04-09-2014, 10:15 PM

Can you buy a used sandblaster, use it, then keep it or resell it?

jayman · 04-09-2014, 10:53 PM

I have this one:

Amazon.com: Campbell Hausfeld AT1251 30-Pound Capacity Sandblaster: Home Improvement

it works alright. I have a 4 Hp 25 gallon air compressor and it makes it work a little bit. I just received a 55 gal barrel and tried a little to test last weekend. the barrel I have is unlined. it worked well on the little I did. Hope this helps.

bbq1980 · 04-10-2014, 12:05 AM

Thanks for the suggestions on the sandblasting equipment. That idea did occur to me, but then I'd need the compressor, the media, respirator, etc. but I'll keep it mind. I'm gonna call the sandblaster tomorrow and try and lower the price down from the $150.

va_connoisseur · 04-10-2014, 06:39 AM

I ran into this issue. I wanted to do a drum but sandblasting and powder coating was going to run me 2 bills. The barrel had a liner that he could not guarantee would be fully eliminated

captndan · 04-10-2014, 07:02 AM

Try a monument shop.

ssbbqguy · 04-10-2014, 07:29 AM

Monument shop is what I would try first.Steve.

Shagdog · 04-10-2014, 07:34 AM

The Blast Shop in Kenosha. Only 45 minutes or so from you.. I want to say it was $60 to blast the drum and lid. Good service. They do powder coating, but they said it was only good to 3-400 degrees and didn't try to sell me on it.

http://www.theblastshopinc.com/

ModelMaker · 04-10-2014, 08:10 AM

If it's "new and unlined" why bother? That's what I started with, just painted outside and cooked on. It has a nice patina now and is good to go.
Ed

Bludawg · 04-10-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbq1980

So apparently I have a better chance of finding a needle in a haystack than I do of locating an affordable sandblaster for my new unlined UDS drum.

New drums only need to be built build it and get cooking

TX matchsticks are pretty handy charcoal lighters & Chili roasters.

04-09-2014, 09:19 PM	#1
bbq1980 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 04-05-13 Location: Buffalo Grove, IL	Expensive sandblasting or buy a weed burner? So apparently I have a better chance of finding a needle in a haystack than I do of locating an affordable sandblaster for my new unlined UDS drum. One place in the city wanted $100 and another place closer to home wanted $150, but I need to call them back tomorrow and try and negotiate it down from $150. I prefer the peace of mind, but $150? I've probably got a bit money more invested in the drum than I want, and I wanted a nice end product that will last, but geesh. Makes me wish I bought an SS drum to start with. I found one place that sells blasting supplies but doesn't do the actual blasting, a few places that only do large orders and I've called an auto body shop that doesn't do any blasting and doesn't know anyone locally that does. I also can't do a large burn (town/village rule) and don't have a more remote place I can take the drum, so unless I call some more auto shops, it looks like I may be in the market for a weed burner. Any suggestions on type? I'd be looking for safe/easy to use. I've never used a weed burner before and have none of the needed supplies, but as others have mentioned, I can probably get the one that HF sells with the push button igniter, plus striker, gloves, propane tank, and propane for less than what the sandblasters want, and at least I'd have some tools I can use again. I've also got some 220 grit sandpaper and some green scotch brite pads from the hardware store so I can scuff/clean the exterior after the burn before priming. Anyone else find the search for a decent sandblaster this difficult? I read about folks having drums blasted for around $50 and figured it'd be cake to find someone in the NW Chicago 'burbs but apparently not. Thx for the help. I've got everything built and just need to get the burn or blasting done so I can paint and get to cookin'. __________________ UDS-ified ECB, UDS, mini-WSM (almost done)

04-09-2014, 09:23 PM	#3
ITBFQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-17-12 Location: Oswego, IL	I called around to a couple places here in Naperville and Yorkville. The Naperville place was around $150 if I remember right. The Yorkville place did some small work for me (an old school desk legs) and charged me next to nothing. They might be worth a call, but its a long haul from BG. Its Fox Valley Sandblasting and Powdercoating. Good luck, and let me know what you find out if you go that route. __________________ - Matt [URL="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hatfield-and-McCoy-Barbecue/765488903565575"]Hatfield and McCoy Barbecue[/URL] - Co-Pitmaster Illinois This Butt's for 'Que - Pitmaster KCBS CBJ; 18.5" WSM; [COLOR="Sienna"]U[/COLOR][COLOR="Navy"]D[/COLOR][COLOR="Sienna"]S[/COLOR]; [COLOR="Red"]Thermapen Mk4[/COLOR]; [COLOR="Blue"]DigiQ DX2[/COLOR]; [COLOR="DarkOrange"]IQ120[/COLOR]; [COLOR="Gray"]CharBroil Gasser (wind victim after 11 years)[/COLOR]; Maverick; OTS x2; etc. [URL="http://bbqbeat.com/hatfield-and-mccoy-bbq-team/"]We're (kinda) famous![/URL]

04-09-2014, 09:40 PM	#4
Fwismoker somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-22-13 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana	I got mine sandblasted and high heat powder coated for 80 dollars.... they are WAY overcharging! The place i called all they do is powder coat and ceramic coating. __________________ Change the way you rotisserie for the BETTER![COLOR="Red"][B]Cajun Bandit Kits for your WSM or Weber Kettle Now Available![/B][/COLOR] Visit [COLOR="Red"]OctoForks[/COLOR] in Sales & Ventures Website & Blog: [url]www.octoforks.com[/url]

04-09-2014, 09:48 PM	#5
DriverWild is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-01-12 Location: Omaha, NE	If you regret not getting SS your drum should sell quickly on CL. So you could still change your mind. I burned and steel brushed mine out but will go SS next time. __________________ Custom RF, Gateway, Weber Performer Platinum, Super Fast Thermopen - Camo

04-09-2014, 10:15 PM	#7
smokin30-06 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-07-13 Location: Tulsa, OK	Can you buy a used sandblaster, use it, then keep it or resell it? __________________ 1985 Hasty Bake Legacy, 1960 Hasty Bake original construction kitchen, Primo XL, TBE, HM with RD3

04-09-2014, 09:20 PM	#2
Bigbux58 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 03-07-13 Location: Pittsburgh,pa	Sandblast it....

04-09-2014, 10:53 PM	#8
jayman Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-19-12 Location: Groton,SD	I have this one: Amazon.com: Campbell Hausfeld AT1251 30-Pound Capacity Sandblaster: Home Improvement Amazon.com: Campbell Hausfeld AT1251 30-Pound Capacity Sandblaster: Home Improvement it works alright. I have a 4 Hp 25 gallon air compressor and it makes it work a little bit. I just received a 55 gal barrel and tried a little to test last weekend. the barrel I have is unlined. it worked well on the little I did. Hope this helps. __________________ Weber OTG (with rotisserie) 18.5" WSM, Gold Mini WSM Jumbo Joe Weber Genesis Silver A [COLOR="Blue"]Blue[/COLOR] Thermapen

04-10-2014, 12:05 AM	#9
bbq1980 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 04-05-13 Location: Buffalo Grove, IL	Thanks for the suggestions on the sandblasting equipment. That idea did occur to me, but then I'd need the compressor, the media, respirator, etc. but I'll keep it mind. I'm gonna call the sandblaster tomorrow and try and lower the price down from the $150. __________________ UDS-ified ECB, UDS, mini-WSM (almost done)

04-10-2014, 06:39 AM	#10
va_connoisseur Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-11-08 Location: DC Metro	I ran into this issue. I wanted to do a drum but sandblasting and powder coating was going to run me 2 bills. The barrel had a liner that he could not guarantee would be fully eliminated __________________ [LIST][]250 gallon, custom reverse flow smoker with warming cabinet aka Hawg Coffin[]120 gallon reverse flow aka Hog Coffin (retired)[] 22 and 18.5 WSM[]Known as Spatulaman[*]Owner of Plate BBQ LLC[/LIST]

04-10-2014, 07:02 AM	#11
captndan Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-11 Location: Greeneville TN	Try a monument shop.

04-10-2014, 07:29 AM	#12
ssbbqguy is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-09-07 Location: carthage,mo.	Monument shop is what I would try first.Steve.

04-10-2014, 07:34 AM	#13
Shagdog Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-01-13 Location: Grayslake, IL	The Blast Shop in Kenosha. Only 45 minutes or so from you.. I want to say it was $60 to blast the drum and lid. Good service. They do powder coating, but they said it was only good to 3-400 degrees and didn't try to sell me on it. http://www.theblastshopinc.com/ __________________ [FONT=Trebuchet MS][SIZE=3][SIZE=2]Matt[/SIZE] [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS] [URL="http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=86"][SIZE=3][B]Come Join the fun in the Throwdowns![/B][/SIZE][/URL] [COLOR=Blue][SIZE=2]Shirley Fabrication 24x70 Trailer - UDS - Weber Kettle - WGA - Fire Pit Rotisserie - Shirley-Shagstone Griddle/Wok Cart - Carson Rodizio [B][SIZE=3][COLOR=Black]2016 Official BBQ Brethren Ribeye Master[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B] [/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS][SIZE=1][COLOR=Silver] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

04-10-2014, 08:10 AM	#14
ModelMaker Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-21-06 Location: Lake Ponderosa-Montezuma, IA	If it's "new and unlined" why bother? That's what I started with, just painted outside and cooked on. It has a nice patina now and is good to go. Ed __________________ Designer of a custom drum smoker Customized Aussie gas passer Turkey fryer Extremely seasoned hand hammered Wok Pit Boss-HART BURN Competition BBQ Team KCBS certified judge And Your not the boss of me either!!