I have a 1924 cabinet that I bought as a package from Rayzist with the Vegas show special last year -- you might contact them (talk to Liz and tell her I sent you!) and see if you can get their East Coast show special package because it includes the starter abrasive, the UV unit, sample masking materials, tape, and sample glass -- I forget what else, but it was a great deal!

Like I said, it paid for itself in not time!

I also wouldn't use any masking materials aside from the Rayzist SR3000 -- it's very easy to use. Photobrasive has all kinds of materials with all different light sensitivities and exposures -- Rayzist's is very simple.

I looked at several of these units at the show and I came back to Rayzist.

We bought our air compressor at Northern Tool in the $3-400 range. Whoever's system you go with I would ask their suggestions for air compressor, then get some comparisons. Grainger is probably the best, but I have had zero problems with the machine I bought.

Hi Lisa, Harvey, Doug, & Dave,

I did it!!! I just phoned Rayzist and bought their Model 2034 Cabinet. I spoke with Art. Liz was right next to him. They gave me the ARA Vegas Trade Show Special of $3,995.00 Delivered which also included their Complete Mask Making Kit. They tried to charge me an extra $50.00 for sending a truck with a liftgate but when I baulked they waived the extra charge.

Thanks once again for the info. You all were a big help.

Now the adventure begins..... I'll be back soon with more help needed...

Don

Hi Don

I have the PhotoBrasive Crystalblast 3624 cabinet and love it. Sand blasting is the only thing I have left which isn't automated or controlled by a PC, and I get a lot of enjoyment out of simply doing the blasting. One thing you may want to think about (or perhaps not if your user name is indicative of where you live) is a moisture filter. We are located in Memphis where it can get a tad "moist" at times, so a moisture filter is a necessity for us. In my opinion, the best filter available is by MotorGuard. These are used by many commercial painting shops and it has done a good job for us.

Good luck with your cabinet...I know you'll really enjoy using it.

Thanks for the Info Ed.

I was wondering how well my new Laser would work to laser a mask. My first look at Sandcarving was at the ARA show in Vegas last month. It looked very interesting. They let us do some blasting on round glass pieces. I did a Lakers Logo. Really had no intention at the time of getting into it but showed the sample to a few of my customers when I got back home and they were very impressed. A couple of them wanted prices to do stuff for them. That's when the wheels started turning. I showed a few more customers my sample blasted piece and they were also impressed. One customer asked if I could do something for her daughters wedding in June. By then the wheels were turning at full speed. And here I am with my Rayzist Cabinet ordered and waiting for delivery.

I've got a lot to learn, but it looks like a rewarding business. Both personally and monetarily.

Your post was a big help to me.

Thank you again,

Don

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the helpful tip. However, moisture is not much of a concern here except for a couple of months during the summer when we get out Monsoon rains. Other than that the humidity is very, very, low.

My mother was from Memphis. She was born in Germantown. Most of my Uncles and Aunts on my mothers side are gone, but my favorite Uncle still lives in Southhaven, Ms. And I have several cousins that still live in or near Memphis. When I was a teenager I would go to Memphis every Summer and every Christmas vacation. I really loved it there except for the humitity in the Summer. I had some very serious thoughts about moving there a few years ago.

Thanks again for the moisture filter info. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

Don

Don,

Well, having read the entire thread and discovered that you already bought your's I'll just say congratulations and good luck. ( I deleted the part about owning a CrystalBlast 3624) You will have lots and lots and lots of fun......