The Tool Review: Harbor Freight Soda Blaster

[TheToolReview]

Move on troll .....

[superwhiz88]

after spending over 3k in Harbor Freight , none of their tools last me 1 1/2 years.. they suck... don't ever forever buy shit from them...

[kjkolkowski]

@superwhiz88

I buy everything I can from HF, I love their shit. you just have to appreciate it for what it is, and how much you paid for it.

I'm being serious here when I say that when you have low expectations you will surprised by how awesome hf stuff is.

[TutorialTipCom]

This is the most retarded item I bought from HF. Don't buy this shit. IT DOES NOT WORK!

[acklan3]

I am using the 20lb pressure blaster ( not a soda blaster) with soda and was having the same problem. I duct taped a palm sander to the side and that solved my problem. Not pretty but the solution works for me. Maybe it will work for you?

Palm sander tem # 40070

[AeroSport103]

@acklan3 Cool idea!

[TheToolReview]

I like that idea lol when mine gives me trouble its one of 2 things, The media is contaminated with moister or to much moister in the line and hence the shaking to get the media going but when I do shake the blaster it is because its running low

[MrSticks9999]

@TheToolReview

moisture moisture moisture . . it's not a difficult word to spell.

[TheToolReview]

@MrSticks9999 Thanks

[waynearetz]

I just bought one of these, but i have to keep shaking it to get the baking soda to come out. Is it because I need more pressure from my compressor? what type of compressor are you using?

[TheToolReview]

@waynearetz I was having trouble today I found out the soda was contaminated with moister and my dryer filter is due for replacement, Try drying your soda in a pot or a baking pan in the oven If your blasting in cold weather make sure you have a dryer because the air pressure created by the pump warms up the air in the tank then cools off on the way out and you get condensation that enters the soda tank and contaminates the media as for my air compressor its homemade nothing special

[wiifan222]

I'm the 40,000 viewer!!!

[TheToolReview]

@wiifan222 You win a box of baking soda!!! cue party music hahaha thanks for watching :)

[wiifan222]

@TheToolReview Thanks! I have a qustion though. Would this be safe to use on a vintage coca cola machine? I'm new to this kind of thing and don't really know to much. :) - Dan

[TheToolReview]

@wiifan222 Yes its safe as long as you turn down the pressure on critical parts like chrome trim if your machine has any, The soda media is much safer then sand and won't damage substrates unless your doing it on plastic @ high pressure. I used this on a popcorn machine from the 70's which was full with crude from nasty old butter & kernel oils and now its like new.

[Begbucks]

Never knew they made that.

[TheRaynMakerFL]

Ok for small stuff...don't even kid yourself if you think you're gonna do a car.

[TheCabinetmaster]

TOOL TIP-- Take an old spark plug, knock the electrode out of it, leaving just the ceramic end and the threaded part. The ceramic end will now have a hole through it where the electrode was and it makes a perfect sandblasting/sodablasting tip.

[themdg]

Funny that you're planning on "upgrading" by "saying it's broken, or something."

[TheToolReview]

@themdg Harbor freight stuff doesn't last long and my blaster already has a leaking valve so its not like I will be lying to them, I knew it would break down before the warranty expired but then again I have soda blasted my motorcycle with it and tons of auto parts so it was worth the 27 dollars I paid for it....

[surf403]

@themdg I dont think he is planning on being dishonest if that is what you are implying. He is just stating that if something goes wrong with this unit, that he will be able to upgrade to the larger model for free.

[henrym8]

I don't understand the size of the compressor required to pressurize the blaster tank. It say's you need at least 7 CFM? That means to me that I will have to buy a huge expensive compressor to use the blaster at 90 psi.

So my 2nd question is this > WILL THIS BLASTER WORK WITH A SMALLER COMPRESSOR, that is about 5 CFM?

[TheToolReview]

@henrym8 I was using a 19 gallon tank it with a 10 CFM pump so I had a fast recovery, A 5 CFM compressor should work ok, Your tank will drop pressure eventually and you will have to let it catch up then continue again, What size of tank do you have ?

A 30 gallon compressor would be perfect to run the soda blaster at 90psi but if you plan on blasting stuff for long periods of time then you will need a 60 to 80 gallon compressor , Check out craigslist there are plenty on there at a good price

[TheToolReview]

@henrym8 sorry I meant to say a 8CFM pump not 10CFM

[ednutcracker]

just got one myselff cant wait until it arrives

[TheToolReview]

@ednutcracker You will love it like I love mine I am going to upgrade pretty soon to the 15lb version

[ednutcracker]

@TheToolReview i saw another vid online that the guy had cloging issues, have you had flow or clog issues at al? any recomendations on how to use / store /clean the tool?

[TheToolReview]

@ednutcracker only time i had it clogged was when I forgot to take the soda out and didn't use it for 2 months, Make sure you use a oil and water separator because the moister will clog it and always empty it when you store it for long periods. If you happen to clog it up fill your tank with hot water and let it soak for a while then run the water thru the line ( add air) then dry completely or let it dry over night before adding any media.

[grovesiderabbit]

thanks... been wanting to buy one myself... can you do a review of it being used on a car? i wish i would know how good it is with that before buying...thanks

[TheToolReview]

@grovesiderabbit mine is good for small jobs but if you get the 40lb version you will be able to do a lot more like a car. I use paint stripper then I run the blaster anything the stripper couldn't get like bumpers and door jambs. I can make a video if you still haven't gotten the blaster yet , let me know .

[Anderzander]

How powerful a compressor are you using there?

[TheToolReview]

@Anderzander Not very powerful at all the most pressure I get out of it is 140psi with 8cfm @ 90 psi, All mounted on a 19 gallon tank .

[WoodcockMichael]

Does soda blasting harm gasket surfaces?

[TheToolReview]

@WoodcockMichael No it will nut harm gasket surfaces on metals, The soda gets pulverized on contact except on plastic intake plenums or plastic throttle bodies but you can always turn down the pressure for plastic.

[DAQUAN88]

What and where does the bakeing soda go? Is it bakeing soda?

[TheToolReview]

@DAQUAN88 Goes all over the ground and parts that you are cleaning, Its good to have a blast cabinet or at least a tarp around your work.

[mrwiggles2]

Bought the 40lb. unit today. Box was banged up and was last one they had- so they surprised me with a free 2 year warranty. I have a lot of things to use this on- so they made it worth the $149. Hooked it all up, put air to it and it didn't leak at all. Use a healthy amount of Teflon tape to insure no leaks. Don't reuse the powder.

[netstepb]

Now that is very kool, calling harbor freight!! thanks for the vid dude!!

[speck444]

how much soda does it use and where is the cheapest to get soda great vid and did those pants smell fresh haha

[TheToolReview]

@speck444 I have the freshest pants around haha, The cheapest I have found is harbor freight and that is about 100 miles away from me so its good to bulk up. Online companies have the soda for cheap but then you have to pay shipping and that is what tends to sky rocket the price, Every month harbor freight sends me 20% discounts so I can get the price knocked down a bit.

[mortie806]

thats one way to reseat the velves haha jk

[DavidM2002]

The soda is NOT reusable. But, I do like the results.

[SingerUnkn0wn]

video was painful to watch and listen, but nice to see the HF item works!!

[TheHardAssesOfPekin]

Taking it back right now! It's a piece of SHIT! leaks air in every spot. Don't buy this.

[TheToolReview]

@TheHardAssesOfPekin Did you use the teflon tape that was included ? You must be generous with it to keep it from leaking mine works great maybe you got a defective one or something happened  in assembly,

Sorry it didn't work out for you.

[chikin1974]

@TheHardAssesOfPekin I just bought 2 the other day... Cant see how ALL of the fittings are leaking unless you did not put it together correctly. I think for 34.99 it does what it says... And Even if it leaks... Its 35.00 dollars... what more could you want for that price.. 3.5 lap dances...

[AcomsRazor1776]

@TheHardAssesOfPekin because your an idgit who probably didn't even use the Teflon tape. I've helped put together 3 now (1 for myself 2 for friends) and I haven't had a problem with any one of them.

[thebluemaggot]

@TheHardAssesOfPekin It leaks because you're a dumbass. For us more intelligent people it works just great.

[TheHardAssesOfPekin]

Just got back from harbor freight and the soda is $35. But the blaster is a good deal the 10lb. was $34 and the 15lb. was $124 big difference.

[ncrdisabled]

Man that a great idea . I will have someone pick one up for me and do the same thing you said. Also what would do better a sand blaster or this soda blaster?

Thanks

[TheToolReview]

@ncrdisabled Soda Blaster is much safer on the eyes and lungs soda will wash away with water and can be re-used if you use it inside a blasting cabinet,  Sand blasting of course is much more course and can remove rust much more effective on steel but is harsh on plastic surfaces, I own a sand blaster and soda blaster and I use them both all the time but if I had to pick I would choose soda media because its much safer.especially when blasting an engine internally or critical parts .

[ncrdisabled]

Man that a great idea . I will have someone pick one up for me and do the same thing you said.

Thanks