(snip) I bought a small hopper-style blaster for use... (endsnip) I expect that it would work fine. I was thrilled with the ease of the sandblasting. Load it up and give it a try, you'll like it! I honestly think I was avoiding trying mine . . . I had cleaned several areas with a wire cup brush on an angle grinder. Now the blaster will come out first/instead. That small hopper will have to be reloaded very often, that grit goes fast, so would only be good for small spots. I will probably pick one up to keep on the boat for spot work once we are done. (snip) More importantly, what system are you going to use to coat the steel? (endsnip) My current intent is to go with Corraseal as a primer, then a couple or few layers of high build epoxy, and some urethane over that on topsides . . . probably an ablative epoxy bottom paint . . . have not settled on brands of the finish paint . . . and I am still unsure what kind of filler to use where needed. As we get areas repaired we will primer them, reserving the finish until all the welding is done. I will get a good chance to evaluate the durability of the corraseal then! Inside I am going with Corraseal primer, high build epoxy, and (above the waterline) sprayed in foam insulation. The one thing I have found on coating systems (as well as every other aspect of this boat that I have sought advice on) is that if you talk to ten different professionals or vendors--you will get at least 20 different "do it this way or die" opinions. Looking at my 40 year old example, I have learned scads about where boats corrode and why, and hopefully what will work for preserving this boat for the next hundred years or so. CUAgain, Daniel Meyer http://cuagain.manilasites.com