The blast hose you use is vital as it allows blast media to be delivered to your blast nozzle and if any issues arise can create significant safety as well as performance issues. In this guide we will cover all the factors to consider when choosing blast hose which will allow you to know which type of blast hose may be right for your application.
What factors do you need to consider?
Factor 1 – BLAST HOSE SIZE
Having proper blast hose size is critical as it will be one of the factors that contribute to the speed at which you blast. Especially, If you use a hose that is to small for your blast nozzle your hose will not be able to provide an adequate volume of media and air to the blast nozzle. Additionally, if you feed your blast nozzle with too small of a blast hose you could have a smaller blast pattern and it can result in quicker wear of your blast hose as the smaller blast hose is the faster media moves through it which can accelerate wear.
FACTOR 2 – YOUR BLAST ENVIRONMENT
Blast hose comes in a variety of thicknesses from 2 Ply, 4 ply. The ply of the hose refers to the layers that the hose is composed of. In general, the more layers that a hose is constructed of the stronger the hose will be. Higher ply hoses will be a higher initial cost but they will not wear as fast. The key thing to consider about your sandblast hose ply is the environment which your blasting in. Additionally, the longer the blast hose length you are using, the more you may want to consider a larger ply blast hose as the hose will potentially be drug across a job site and as a result more likely to come in contact with a variety of job site materials that may wear the hose.
FACTOR 3- OPERATOR COMFORT
A happy blaster is a productive blaster and as you may have experienced a thick blast hose can be difficult to work with. To maximize operator comfort you can start with a heavier ply blast hose like a 2 or 4 ply blast hose(depending on the degree of scuffing expected to occur in the blast environment) and at the end of the blast hose consider using a lighter ply hose for the last 10 – 15 feet (known as a whip hose). You can also use a smaller diameter blast hose if you are using a smaller blast nozzle.
FACTOR 4 – OPERATOR SAFETY
A significant risk with blast hose is that it can eventually wear and fail. It is critical to inspect your blast hose before each time you blast to ensure there are no obvious changes in the hose. If the hose has any bulges or other signs of problems, you should consider replacing that portion of sandblast hose.