Do you know the differences between Vaniman’s different dental sandblasters?
We’ve got several models for varying applications in dental labs and clinics, and we’ll break it all down for you right now.
Firstly: what’s similar across all our sandblasters?
Tanks
All of Vaniman’s sandblasters hold 1,000 mL and can fit all of Vaniman’s sand tanks.
We offer three different media size ranges of sand tank:
- 25-50 µm
- 50-100 µm
- 110-250 µm
The size of blasting media you use should fit in one of those ranges. The tanks can all be easily removed and swapped out for a different tank as needed.
Nozzle tips
The handpieces that come with Vaniman’s sandblasters are all replaceable and interchangeable, including the nozzle tips…In fact, the nozzle tips are the most commonly replaced part on sandblasters (this is to be expected — the nature of sandblasting is destructive, and all media passes through the nozzle tip). Simply unscrew the nozzle cap to swap out for a different or a new tip.
Pro tip: always make sure the size of nozzle tip you use aligns with the size range of the tank it uses.
- Yellow tip (PN 97905): for 25 µm media
- Blue tip (PN 97902): for 25 µm or 50 µm media
- Green tip (PN 97906): for 50 µm or 100 µm media
- Black tip (PN 97903): for 50 µm or 100 µm media
- Violet tip (PN 97907): for 50 µm, 100 µm, or 250 µm media
- Red tip (PN 97904): for 100 µm or 250 µm media
For a detailed explanation of the tips, see our Sandblaster Nozzle Size Chart for Sandblasting Applications.
PSI
Our sandblasters are all designed for the same pressure range, and will function with a PSI ranging from 10 to 90. Any pressures outside that range will likely be inaccurate on the gauge, and could potentially lead to performance issues. NOTE: Instant-Off models function best at 55-90 PSI.
The factory setting for all Vaniman sandblasters is 60 PSI.
Nextly: what are the differences between our dental sandblaster models?
This table shows our dental sandblaster lineup in the simplest terms. Different blasters have different numbers of media tanks, different sizes of cabinets, different sizes of windows (which take different sizes of Static Cling Window Protectors), and some have an available Instant-Off variant, and each has their own best use.
| Model | Cabinet Size | Tanks | Internal Width | Window Protector Size | I/O Variant Avaiable? |
| SandStorm Mobile | N/A | 1 | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| SandStorm Professional | Small | 1 | 13.1″ | Small | No |
| SandStorm Edge | Small | 2 | 13.0 | Small | No |
| SandStorm 2 | Medium | 2 | 15.1″ | Medium | No |
| SandStorm XL | Extra Large | 2 | 19.5″ | Large | No |
| SandStorm SandShell XL | Extra Large | 0 | 19.5″ | Large | No |
| SandStorm Prestige | Large | 3 | 20.3″ | Large | Yes |
Each of our dental sandblaster models, in a nutshell
SandStorm Mobile
Vaniman’s entry level blaster is a compact, portable unit for labs and offices that need a cost-effective solution. It has a 6-foot-long reach from the tank to the handpiece, and can be moved to anywhere your compressed air line can reach, making it highly convenient in a handful of different ways.
There’s no cabinet, which adds to the freedom, but it does mean that the potential for creating a big mess is high. If you want a portable sandblaster but need a place to contain the media, we recommend our Cut & Clean XL Cabinet connected with a SandVac dust collector.
SandStorm Mobile: Part Number 80140
Instant-Off Variant: Part Number 80141
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SandStorm Mobile – 80140
$401.80
Ideal for: labs that need a portable blaster system. The SandStorm Mobile can go wherever the air compressor can reach.
SandStorm Professional
The SandStorm Professional was designed for the dental office. An ideal replacement for a handheld microetcher, this single-tank unit is popular in dentists’ offices and orthodontic offices alike.
The unique feature of this sandblaster is its built-in dust fan and filter system. This self-contained sandblaster/dust collector unit is an excellent compact option for light-duty or occasional blasting — no external dust collector is required. (That said: if you would like to use this unit for heavier work, there is a dust collector port in the back for supplemental dust extraction and filtration.)
SandStorm Professional: Part Number 80401
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SandStorm Professional 80401
$818.51
Ideal for: offices or clinics that require a blaster for light use (bracket cleaning, chairside touchups, pre-bonding texturing, etc.). Includes built-in dust fan and filter (no external dust collector required).
SandStorm Edge
The SandStorm Edge is a durable dental sandblaster with a small footprint that can handle medium to high levels of dental lab production. Its resin cabinet is conveniently compact, ideal for those with little countertop space to spare.
This unit has two tanks and two handpieces, and an internal working space of 13” wide x 5.9” tall, with 7.5” from handcuff to back wall.
SandStorm Edge: Part Number 80410
Ideal for: small to medium labs that need a blaster for medium to heavy volume of work but don’t have much counterspace.
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SandStorm Edge – 80410
$696.73
SandStorm 2
Vaniman’s best-selling dental lab sandblaster is an all-around workhorse, well suited to medium to high levels of production in a wide variety of applications. Its tough resin cabinet has 15” x 6.6” of interior working space.
This unit has two tanks and handpieces, like the SandStorm Edge, but is larger and more comfortable for long periods of work.
SandStorm 2: Part Number 80301
Ideal for: any lab setting that requires a sandblasting system with excellent all-around capabilities for all applications.
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SandStorm 2 – 80301
$830.21
SandStorm XL
The SandStorm XL’s cabinet is our dental line’s largest by volume at 16.9” x 10” x 16.1”. It comes with two tanks and two handpieces, and sits taller than other countertop blasters.
SandStorm XL: Part Number VMC-X11L
Ideal for: labs with large pieces, heavy volume, or standing-desk setups who need a large-cabinet blaster.
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SandStorm XL – VMC-X11L
$1,111.26
SandStorm SandShell XL
The SandStorm SandShell XL is a recirculating siphon blaster — there are no tanks, the media rests in the cabinet well and the pistol-style handpiece draws directly from that. This unit is intended for walnut shell blasting media, perfect for polishing dentures.
SandStorm SandShell XL: Part Number 80280
Ideal for: labs with heavy amounts of polishing to do, who prefer a recirculating media blaster with a gun/siphon style nozzle.
SandStorm Prestige
Our top-of-the-line SandStorm Prestige uses a powder-coated steel cabinet and comes with three sand tanks, three handpieces, and a compressed air blowoff nozzle inside. This blaster is best suited for heavy volume work in busy labs.
This unit offers our widest interior working space at 20.3” wide, and is also available as an Instant-Off model.
SandStorm Prestige: Part Number 80150
Instant-Off Variant: Part Number 80170
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SandStorm Prestige I/O – 80170
$1,606.07
Ideal for: labs with heavy volume work who do not want to spend more time than they have to refilling media tanks.
Dust collection for sandblasters
Most of our sandblasters require an external dust collector; we recommend the SandVac, a dust collector designed specifically for sandblasting media. It comes with the pre-filter cyclone Accumulator by default, and uses a foot pedal start-stop remote so you don’t need to remove your hands from the cabinet to activate it. And at only 55 dbA, it’s whisper-quiet!
Design Center
Building out a lab space? Vaniman’s free Design Center service takes the guesswork out of choosing the right sandblasting setup. Whether you’re outfitting a new lab, upgrading equipment, or dealing with space or compliance constraints, our team works directly with you to design a system that fits your workflow. From sandblasters and dust collection to air management and layout considerations, we help ensure your setup is efficient, compliant, and built to perform from day one. Reach out to Vaniman to get started!