Installing the Air Blaster Accessory on the Bantam Tools Explorer

The Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory increases chip evacuation and airflow and attaches seamlessly to both the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine and the Bantam Tools Explorer CNC Milling Machine spindle house assembly. When hooked up to a compressor, this accessory clears the milling surface of debris and can help to decrease cycle times. It also improves material finish and increases tool life.

The Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory increases visibility of part features while machining. It’s ideal when milling heavier materials like aluminum or brass, or when machining larger chips. If you’re machining parts using operations that create fine dust, the Bantam Tools CNC Vacuum Accessory or the Bantam Tools Explorer CNC Vacuum Accessory would do a better job of managing this debris.

While the debris will remain inside the enclosure, fine-dust-generating materials can cause the debris to lodge into components that can lead to more wear and tear on the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine. 

Important: Be diligent with using consistent and proper cleaning practices when using the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory. For more insight into best cleaning practices, see our Safety, Cleaning & Maintenance guides at the end of this article. 

In this guide we will cover:

• Anatomy of the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory
• Choosing an air compressor
• How to install the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory
• Deinstallation
•  

Anatomy of the Bantam Tools Air Blaster Accessory

Now it’s time to take a closer look at the different parts of the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory. If you’ve used other CNC air blasters before, feel free to skip to the next section.

Note: Do not adjust the elbow connector on the side of the air blaster manifold. This is factory-sealed at our HQ in Peekskill, NY. 

Choosing a Compressor

The Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory doesn't come with a compressor. You will need to source your own compressor and the appropriate fittings and air hose to connect to your air compressor.

The compressor you choose will depend on your needs. A compressor rated to provide 3 scfm or higher at 40 psi will be adequate for machining aluminum parts with deep pocket features and long cycle times. You can use a compressor or air pump that is rated lower than these numbers but keep in mind the rated duty cycle of your compressor to ensure its maximum life. We recommend overspecing rather than under-specing your compressor. 

Installing the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory

To install the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory, you'll need the following tools:

• Allen key, 2 mm
• Wirecutters

Connect the Bantam Tools Explorer CNC Milling Machine to your computer, load the Bantam Tools Milling Machine Software, and home the machine. If you have an end mill or probing pin installed, remove it. Also, make sure the machine bed doesn’t have any material or fixtures attached to it. 

Complete the following steps to install the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory:

1. Using the Jog tab on the software, move the spindle to a location that allows enough room for you to access the right side of the spindle You will be mounting the Air Blaster to the 4 threaded holes referenced in the image below.

2. Power off your machine and remove the left side panel so that you can access the port necessary for attaching the compressor fitting.

3. Remove the black plastic cap from the rear of the machine. Store this somewhere safe for reinstallation later.

4. Install the adapter such that the end with the blue ring is facing into the machine, with the black washer on the outside of the machine.

5. To affix the hose, simply push it into the blue end of the adapter. To remove later simply push on the blue end and pull on the hose. Once you have inserted the air hose, you can re-install the side panel.

6. You can now attach the Air Blaster to the spindle housing using the 4 screws that came with your shipment. Before you do this, it will probably be easier to attach the blue air hose that is pre-routed with the wire harness bundle that powers your spindle to the air blaster. You can do this in the same way as you attached the hose to the fitting on the back panel- by simply pushing into the blue housing port on the air blaster.

7. After attaching the air hose, you can fasten the Air Blaster to the 4 threaded holes on the right of the spindle assembly. 

Your Air Blaster is now installed! 

Make sure the blue air hose is stable and secure with the other wires in the harness. If needed, you can add an additional zip tie to secure the hose more.

Use your fingers to point the nozzle right where the tooling will meet the milling material. Be cautious around the cutting edge on your tooling. Ideally you’ll want the nozzle to point at the edge of your end mill to keep debris away from the cutter while it’s cutting material. 

Additionally, you can adjust the air pressure by twisting the flow-rate knob on the left-hand side of the air blaster manifold. To adjust the airflow, pull the knob out and then turn it clockwise to decrease the airflow or counterclockwise to increase the airflow. The knob should spin with minimal force. If there is resistance, check the knob to make sure it’s not in its locked position or at the maximum or minimum of its adjustment. Once set, press the flow-rate knob back into place.  

Note: If you need to check the flow of air, engage the E-stop and carefully place your finger in front of the nozzle to feel the flow of air.

Congratulations! You’ve installed the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory, and now you’re ready to start milling.

Safety Tips

Both the Bantam Tools Desktop CNC Milling Machine and the Bantam Tools Explorer CNC Machine come fully enclosed and have a polycarbonate door and safety windows (Desktop) to keep chips and debris inside the machine. However, we still encourage you to always wear protective equipment,(eyeglasses and/or mask) and to keep the Bantam Tools Milling Machine’s loading door closed while the Bantam Tools CNC Air Blaster Accessory is connected to a compressor and in use. Always turn off your compressor before opening the loading door. Remember to be careful of the tooling when adjusting the nozzle.