Handheld Sandblaster for Etching & Rust | LE LEMATEC Portable

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Quick Facts Portable handheldGravity feedCeramic nozzleMulti-mediaLe Lematec12-mo guarantee Best for: DIY hobbyists, auto restorers, and small workshop projects. Ideal first sandbl aster — no blast cabinet needed. Product Summary The Le Lematec AS118 is a portable handheld sandblaster gun that connects to any standard air compressor (min. 3 CFM at 90 PSI). It handles rust removal, paint stripping, glass etching, and surface prep. Uses gravity-feed design with multiple media types including sand, soda, and aluminum oxide. Factory direct from Le Lematec. Best for: DIY hobbyists, auto restorers, and small workshop projects. Ideal first sandblaster. Handheld Sandblaster Gun Kit — Portable Rust & Paint Removal Description Need to strip rust, paint, or scale off a part too big for a blast cabinet — or you don't own one? A handheld sandblaster does that job at a fraction of the cost of a pressure-pot setup. The LE LEMATEC AS118 is gravity-fed (the hopper sits on top), connects to any compressor pushing 4–6 CFM at 90 PSI, and accepts the full range of standard blast media: aluminum oxide for aggressive rust removal, glass beads for finishing, walnut shell for soft surfaces, or soda media when you need to clean without etching the underlying metal. Restoration hobbyists, auto-body shops doing spot work, glass etchers, and small fabrication shops use the same gun for very different jobs — the media does the work, the gun just delivers it. Is this the right blaster for what you're trying to do? Restoring a car or motorcycle part: Yes. Pull the part off, set up outdoors or in a tarped-off corner, and you'll strip a fender to bare metal in under an hour with aluminum oxide. Cleaning rust off a structural frame still mounted to a vehicle: Yes — that's exactly where a handheld beats a cabinet. You bring the tool to the work. Stripping paint off a whole car body: It works, but a pressure-pot setup will finish in a quarter of the time. For one car, the AS118 is fine. For three cars a month, step up to a pot. Etching glass, memorial stones, or detail work: Yes — drop pressure to 40–60 PSI and use a stencil. The gravity feed gives finer control than siphon-feed designs. Cleaning chrome, fiberglass, or food-contact surfaces: The handheld is fine but you want soda media, not abrasive. See the inline link above. High-volume cabinet work: No — buy a cabinet blaster. The handheld is for portability. Whether you're restoring classic car parts, stripping old furniture, or need a reliable tool for sandblast rust removal, the AS118 gives you the power and control you need to get the job done right the first time. Your Projects, Perfected This handheld sandblaster connects to any standard 1.5HP+ air compressor (90-150 PSI), so you can get started without needing expensive, specialized equipment. The premium, heavy-duty ceramic tip dramatically outlasts standard steel nozzles, saving you time and money on replacements over the life of the tool. As a true gravity-feed unit, it offers simple, reliable operation with no complex siphon tubes to clog. The AS118 is fully compatible with a wide range of blasting media from 40 to 200 grit—including sand, glass beads, and aluminum oxide—giving you the versatility for any surface. The built-in media flow regulator lets you dial in the perfect pressure, preventing media waste and protecting delicate surfaces from damage. Reliability You Can Trust Unlike cheaply made alternatives, the AS118 is built in our own Taiwan factory as a true gravity-feed unit, for dependable, clog-free performance. It's the workshop-proven tool you can count on to tackle your toughest jobs, from small spot blaster detail work to larger rust removal projects. Technical Specifications Operating Pressure: 90-150 PSI Media Compatibility: 40-200 Grit Minimum Compressor: 1.5 HP Air Inlet: 1/4" NPT What's In The Box This all-in-one portable kit includes everything you need to start blasting right away: Blaster Gun: The main AS118 unit with ergonomic grip. Ceramic Tip: Premium, long-lasting nozzle for consistent performance. Stainless Steel Mesh Filter: Prevents clogs and ensures smooth media flow. Safety Glasses: Essential eye protection for safe operation. Quick Connector: Standard 1/4" NPT for easy hookup. Frequently Asked Questions Q: What size air compressor do I need for this sandblaster gun? A: This portable unit works with any standard home or workshop air compressor that is 1.5 HP or larger and can produce a consistent pressure of 90-150 PSI. You do not need a large, industrial-grade compressor for most projects. Q: What kind of abrasive media can I use? A: You can use a wide variety of abrasive media, depending on your project. The nozzle supports media from 40 to 200 grit, including sand, glass beads, aluminum oxide, steel grit, and walnut shells. For best results, always use dry, high-quality media to prevent clogging. Q: Is this handheld sandblaster suitable for beginners? A: Yes, absolutely. The simple design of this gravity feed tool and its adjustable media flow make it very easy to use, even for those with no prior sandblasting experience. We always recommend starting at a lower pressure and testing on a scrap piece of material to get a feel for it first. Q: What safety equipment do I need to wear? A: Safety is extremely important when sandblasting. We include a pair of safety glasses in the kit, but we strongly recommend you also use a respirator or dust mask, gloves, and full-coverage clothing to protect yourself from airborne media and debris. Q: Can I use this for delicate surfaces like glass etching? A: Yes. The built-in media flow regulator gives you the precision to work on more delicate surfaces. By reducing the pressure and using a finer grit media (like 100-200 grit glass beads), you can clean or etch surfaces without causing damage. Always test on an inconspicuous area first. Q: What makes this handheld sandblaster different from cheaper models? A: Our unit is built in our own Taiwan factory and uses a true gravity-feed design for reliability. It features a premium ceramic tip that lasts significantly longer than the cheap steel tips found on many competing models. This means you get consistent, clog-free performance and a lower total cost of ownership. Q: Is this a good tool for sandblast rust removal on car parts? A: Absolutely. This tool is ideal for automotive restoration and sandblast rust removal on calipers, engine parts, brackets, and other small-to-medium components. As a gravity-fed spot blaster, it's perfect for detail work. What you actually get for the price point Gravity feed beats siphon feed for control. The top-mounted hopper means consistent media flow without the pressure-pot complexity. You can throttle off mid-pass and the media stops within a second. Ceramic nozzle, not steel. Steel tips wear out in days under aluminum oxide. The ceramic tip on this gun lasts 3–5× longer — meaningful when replacement tips cost as much as a small media bag. Multi-media in one gun. Swap media in five minutes by emptying the hopper. Same gun handles aluminum oxide for the rust phase, then glass beads for the finishing phase, then soda for the cleanup phase. Twelve-month manufacturer guarantee. LE LEMATEC backs the gun, not just the parts. If the trigger valve fails or the air inlet leaks, that's covered. Compressor-friendly. 4 CFM at 90 PSI is reachable by a 20-gallon shop compressor. Most consumer-grade blasters need 7+ CFM, which puts you into the 30-gallon range. What's in the Box Handheld sandblaster gun Gravity-feed hopper Ceramic nozzle tip Safety glasses Air connector (1/4" NPT) Media funnel User manual Compatible With Air Compressors 4-6 CFM at 90 PSI, 20+ gallon tank Blast Media Aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, glass bead, walnut shell, baking soda, garnet (46-100 grit) Accessories AS118-2C replacement tip kit, LEI17-2 brown corundum, LEI-16 silicon carbide Air Hoses Standard 1/4" NPT quick-connect Ideal Applications: handheld rust removal, portable paint stripping, on-site surface prep, glass etching, decorative engraving, weld cleanup, auto body work What is the difference between this and the black sandblaster kit? Both are portable handheld sandblasters. This model (LE LEMATEC Portable) is the gravity-feed design with a top-mounted hopper — better for overhead and angled work. The black model features a different feed system optimized for horizontal use. Both handle the same media types and pressure range. What blast media should I start with? Aluminum oxide (60-80 grit) is the most versatile all-purpose media — it removes rust quickly, creates good surface profile for paint, and is reusable 4-5 times. For delicate surfaces or paint removal without metal damage, use glass bead (80-100 grit). For food equipment and soft surfaces, use baking soda. How much media does the hopper hold? The gravity-feed hopper holds enough media for approximately 5-10 minutes of continuous blasting depending on nozzle size and pressure. Refilling takes seconds. For large jobs, keep extra media bags nearby for quick reloads. Is a handheld sandblaster powerful enough for serious rust removal? Yes — a handheld sandblaster rated to 150 PSI with the right media will strip rust from car panels, hand tools, garden equipment, and structural steel. It's not a full pressure-pot rig, so it's slower on large jobs, but for spot rust, parts cleanup, and detail work it has the same stripping ability. Pair it with aluminum oxide for aggressive rust removal, glass beads for finishing, or step down to our soda blaster kit when you need gentler surface cleaning that won't pit the underlying metal — useful for chrome, brick, glass, and food-contact surfaces. 🚚Fast USA Shipping ⭐250+ Reviews 🔒Secure Checkout Related Guides & Resources Sandblasting Media Comparison Guide Best Media by Application CFM & PSI Requirements Chart Related Categories → Sandblaster Kits → Abrasive Media → Accessories Quick Setup GuideFill the gravity hopper with your chosen media (aluminum oxide for rust removal, glass beads for finishing, or baking soda for gentle cleaning). Connect to your air compressor using the 1/4" NPT fitting — ensure your compressor delivers at least 4 CFM at 90 PSI. Adjust the flow control valve to regulate media feed rate: start low and increase until you achieve the desired aggressiveness. Always wear a respirator, safety glasses, and gloves. For glass etching, use a stencil and reduce pressure to 40-60 PSI. Complete your blasting setupAS118 accessory packet (spare tips & covers) · 16.5 cm steel long nozzle for reach · quick-connect fitting kit for a leak-free hookup. Show more