Gunsmithing Blast cabinet = Taser

[Phylodog]

I bought a new, larger blast cabinet and a much larger air compressor a few months ago. With my previous setup (counter top cabinet) I would occasionally notice my arms getting zapped via static electricity. This new setup (free standing cabinet) I am getting nailed like the thing is a F'n Taser. It hurts like hell and most of the hits are too my chin via the screws around the glass. I'm assuming it needs to be grounded somehow but I have no idea how to go about it or if that is what is needed.

Anyone else experienced this?

 

[KYS]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

If your setup is near a buildings foundation posts, which are usually steel, you could ground the cabinet to that. We have a large blast cabinet at my shop for cleaning machinery parts. That what we had to do.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

It's in my garage and the breaker box is right behind it. Could I ground it to the box?

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

I wouldnt ground to the box. I just bolted a chain to mine and let the chain sit on the floor. It gets you every once in a while, but its no worse than your first one was. Also put some rubber pads on the bottom of the glove holes so you dont touch metal. Way more comfy anyhow.

 

[bptactical]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

Aw but it's fun and it keeps you awake on the late night blasting sessions.

I had the same issue with mine and if your wearing a flannel shirt-YOW!

I just took a piece of 12 gauge wire with some ring terminals and ran it to the surface mount outlet box my light for the cabinet is plugged into and used one of the cover screws.

End of getting zapped.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

Thanks guys

 

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

It also helps to have the nozzle/gun grounded. Mine has a wire hoseclamped to it and grounded to cabinet.

 

[Bernarde]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

if its by your breaker box there should be a ground rod just on the other side of the wall, you could ground off that pretty easily. hope that helps

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

LOL I just spent the better part of the day blasting various gun parts and cussing about every 2 min when I got zapped.

Gonna have to convince my buddy to ground all his cabinets.

 

[califflash]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

The grounding bus bar on an electrical panel is probably the best ground in your building. On residential service there is a long copper rod driven in into the ground to ground all the power. As long as you know what you are doing you could run a wire to the grounding bus, being careful to avoid the neutral bus and any hot terminals.

You could also use the grounding terminal on a outlet, which also terminates at the grounding bus. This would leave the problem of an open cover for you to figure out.


I would suggest like above to ground to a metal frame structure, if you're in a steel building. I wouldn't just hang a chain on it though. Use a wire with crimp connectors and some self tapping screws to positively ground the equipment. You could also fasten the wire to some copper plumbing, or metal air line *cough*, for the same effect.

 

[bptactical]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

Grounding to your airline will be of no effect if A-the compressor is not grounded correctly and B-the hard line is flex line connected to the compressor (as it should be).
I would be careful of grounding directly to the breaker box, you could be violating electrical codes.
Go directly from the cabinet to a substantial ground. If worse comes to worse do you have any buddies who are electricians?

 

[mheckman]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

As a general question, what is building up the static electricity? Is it climate, the media, the cabinet?

I blast with AO/Glass Bead for parkerizing and haven't been zapped, yet. I am not doubting that it occurs, but was wondering if it happens more in dryer climates like Colorado or the plain states. I am about 15 miles from the coast, so humidity rarely drops below 30%.

 

[Mike308Bell]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

No you still get the crap zapped out of you in humid weather also. Im in Georgia and we have the same problem. We bought one of the thick rubber mats with the built in ground wire you hook to the cabinate and it still zapped you like a taser. It only went away when he grounded it to the the steel I beams of the building.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

I ran a small wire from a screw on the back of the cabinet to the screw that holds the cover plate on an electrical outlet behind the cabinet yesterday. Blasted a pistol frame and slide and didn't get nailed. Many thanks for the help guys, I'll leave this setup in place unless it stops working for some reason.

 

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oh_heck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As a general question, what is building up the static electricity? Is it climate, the media, the cabinet?

I blast with AO/Glass Bead for parkerizing and haven't been zapped, yet. I am not doubting that it occurs, but was wondering if it happens more in dryer climates like Colorado or the plain states. I am about 15 miles from the coast, so humidity rarely drops below 30%. </div></div>
I believe it is the media and air moving thru the rubber hose.

 

[BigDaddy0381]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's in my garage and the breaker box is right behind it. Could I ground it to the box? </div></div>

Yes, I have done this. I put hard rubber pads under the bottom just in case but never had a problem. The static is being caused buy the moister being sucked out of the air and the friction of the blasting media. I had the same problem in my gun shop with the blaster. The heat in my small loading room also drys the air out and the powder jumps around while in the plastic hopper.a dryer sheet fixed that problem

 

[CS223]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WhiskyTangoFoxtrot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oh_heck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As a general question, what is building up the static electricity? Is it climate, the media, the cabinet?

I blast with AO/Glass Bead for parkerizing and haven't been zapped, yet. I am not doubting that it occurs, but was wondering if it happens more in dryer climates like Colorado or the plain states. I am about 15 miles from the coast, so humidity rarely drops below 30%. </div></div>
I believe it is the media and air moving thru the rubber hose. </div></div>

I think it's caused more by the dust going into the dust collector. Pretty common in woodworking, static dissipation requires planning in a wood shop. I've been zapped using a shop vac when cleaning up fine particulate as well. Been lucky so far with my big cabinet, but it's all steel and is in contact with the floor as well as grounded to the wall.

 

[John_in_WYO]

Re: Blast cabinet = Taser

You guys crack me up. The comparison between the blast cabinet and a TASER.

During TASER training I took an 8 second ride when my partner forgot to let off the trigger.

At least when it's over, it's over.

Try OC Spray. The gift that keeps on giving.
The next day when you shower, it runs down to your nether regions.
OC= Jalapeno juice on your scrotum

return to the topic.. sorry for the OT discussion