Sand Blaster

I've been looking at buying for my project. Ive seen stand alones, cabinet models, etc. It seems to me the best use for these is small stuff, since if I do body parts, Ill just be wasting the media. Any thoughts?

i too have a small 40#? craftsman from sears works great! but is a little slow for big jobs like the entire frame, it will blast it fine , just takes longer.
cabinets are great but unless they are large, you can only fit smaller parts in them (brackets and maybe a wheel) they do make bigger cabinets=bigger price
then you have the pressure pot type they are good for frames, but can be a little harsh and powerful for sheetmetal like fenders (can warp the thin metal!!!)

here's the one i have: (think i paid $39 or $49 for it about 20 years ago)
 http://www.sears.com/craftsman-50-lb-sandblaster-kit-with-1-4-in/p-00916706000P

i bought a 100 pound sandblaster similar to the eastwood one.  

With larger parts local metal shop help me with professional sand blasting tools. With smaller parts I have sand blast cabinet. This came with vacuum cleaner, so it keeps dust inside in it. I run it with 8hp compressor. Sand blast cabinet works well, but It does not make any miracles. With heavy rusted parts I use acid dipping to help getting rust out.




 

I have one of these dual blasters too. It works with soda and sand, but my compressor is too small with it. I can only sprayed lots of sand or soda, but nothing is happens with it