What Is a Sandblasting Pot?

A sandblasting pot is a purpose-designed container used to hold loose, abrasive mediums used in sandblasting operations. Most are designed to be used as add-on units on existing compressed air systems allowing operators to utilize the many benefits of sandblasting without the high costs associated with installing dedicated abrasive blasting equipment. Sandblasting pots range in size from small units with internal capacities of 80 to 100 pounds (36.3 to 45.4 kilograms) for use in light industry or domestic applications to heavy industry models capable of carrying 300 pounds (136 kilograms) or more. The smaller sandblasting pot is often made of high-impact plastic with larger examples usually featuring welded steel construction. Most sandblasting pots are open at the top of the tank for filling and deliver the abrasive into the compressed air line at the bottom of the tank by means of a simple gravity feed arrangement.

Abrasive grit carried at high speed in a stream of compressed air is an extremely efficient and both cost- and labor-effective method of removing corrosion and a wide variety of finishes such as varnish and paint from metal surfaces. Sandblasting, as it is known, can also be used to strip finishes and contaminants from wood and masonry and may even be used to frost or engrave glass. One of the easiest methods of installing a sandblasting system in the home, workshop, or factory where a reliable source of compressed air is available is to purchase a sandblasting pot. Consisting of little more than an open-topped cylinder with a compressed air fitting on the bottom, a sandblasting pot is a convenient way of performing most sandblasting jobs.

A wide range of these devices are available with capacities and construction to suit most needs, from the do-it-yourself weekend warrior to the large factory owner. Small models are typically built from tough, high-impact plastic and feature capacities of around 100 pounds (45.4 kilograms). Larger, industrial varieties are usually made from plain or stainless steel, and may carry 300 pounds (136 kilograms) or more of abrasive grit. The containers are generally filled from the top and gravity feed the abrasive into the compressed air line through a opening in the bottom of the tank, with some sandblasting pot types featuring a foot switch that allows control of the flow of sand into the air stream. The gravity feed system is particularly effective as it is not prone to clogging even with damp grit mixtures.