Abrasive Metering Valves Explained: Reduce Media Waste and Improve Blasting Control
Abrasive Metering Valves:
Reduce Media Waste, Improve Control, and Keep Your Pot Running
Your abrasive metering valve is one of the most important components in your blasting setup. When it’s matched correctly, you get smoother starts, better abrasive control, and less media waste. When it’s wrong (or worn), you’ll burn through abrasive, fight inconsistent flow, and lose time to downtime and repairs.
What Does an Abrasive Metering Valve Do?
A metering valve controls how abrasive drops from the blast pot into the air stream. Think of it like an “egg timer” for media—steady, predictable flow by gravity instead of forcing abrasive under pressure. When the valve meters correctly, you maintain consistent cut and profile while keeping abrasive consumption under control.
- Improves blast consistency: stable abrasive flow = stable finish and production.
- Reduces abrasive waste: fewer surges, fewer “overfeeds,” less cleanup.
- Protects uptime: less premature wear, fewer flow-related stoppages.
- Supports advanced setups: pressure-hold systems, long hose runs, and multiple outlets.
Valve in the System
Here’s the metering valve location in a typical blast pot setup. This is also why leaks, moisture issues, or pressure imbalance can cause accelerated valve wear.
How to Choose the Right Metering Valve for Your Job
The “best” metering valve depends on how you blast and what media you run. Start with these factors:
1) Blasting Style
Frequent start/stop work benefits from faster system response and consistent re-start performance.
2) Abrasive Type
Fine media, dusty reclaimed abrasive, and moisture-prone setups require stronger flow control and wear resistance.
3) System Demands
Long hose runs, multiple outlets, and high-production blasting put more stress on valves—choose accordingly.
Schmidt Thompson Valve II: Fast Response + Reduced Abrasive Consumption
The Thompson Valve II is a go-to choice for contractors who need efficient, responsive blasting. It’s built for pressure-hold systems where the pot stays pressurized—helping reduce abrasive loss and improving start/stop control.
- Ideal for frequent start/stop blasting: faster response to the deadman means less wasted media.
- Great for long hose runs and multi-outlet setups.
- Pressure-hold performance: retaining pot pressure helps keep production moving.
Schmidt Thompson XL: Extended Life Upgrade for Tougher Duty
If you’re currently running a Thompson-style valve and dealing with premature wear, the Thompson XL is a strong upgrade. It’s commonly chosen when you want the Thompson Valve II performance, but with improved durability for demanding conditions.
- Upgrade path: a smart move when you want longer life than standard Thompson configurations.
- Pressure-hold compatible: built for fast response and smoother production.
- Contractor-friendly: a favorite for teams focused on uptime and maintenance reduction.
Schmidt TeraValve XL: The Answer for Fine Abrasives and Flow Issues
The TeraValve XL is the move when your setup runs fine abrasives, dusty reclaimed media, or you’ve experienced metering inconsistency and jamming. It’s designed to maintain controlled flow in applications that can challenge other valve styles.
- Great for fine or dusty abrasive: helps reduce jamming and uneven flow.
- Strong option for stop/start blasting and complex setups.
- Lower minimum pressure than many pressure-hold options (useful in certain applications).
Legacy Valves (Replacement-Only Situations)
We generally recommend upgrading to newer-generation valves unless you’re standardizing across an existing fleet or replacing a like-for-like valve on multiple pots.
Schmidt Thompson Valve I
Older-generation Thompson design. Consider this primarily when you have multiple blast pots already standardized on this valve.
Thompson Valve I — View Product
Schmidt MicroValve & MicroValve 3
Often seen in older pressure-release configurations. We typically recommend newer options unless you’re replacing existing MicroValve setups.
Quick Pick: Which Valve Fits Your Work?
If you want the fastest way to narrow it down, start here.
Most Common Contractor Setups
- Frequent start/stop + pressure-hold: Thompson Valve II
- Need longer life / upgrade from Thompson wear: Thompson XL
- Fine abrasive, dusty reclaimed media, jamming issues: TeraValve XL
What We’ll Ask You (So We Spec It Right)
- What abrasive are you running (new vs reclaimed)?
- How often do you stop/start blasting?
- How long is your hose run?
- One blaster or multiple outlets?
- Any moisture issues or flow inconsistency today?
Abrasive Metering Valve FAQs
What is an abrasive metering valve and why does it matter?
It’s the component that controls how abrasive feeds into the air stream. A properly matched valve improves blast consistency, reduces media waste, and helps prevent flow-related downtime.
How does a metering valve reduce abrasive waste?
By stabilizing abrasive feed and improving stop/start response. When flow is predictable, you avoid overfeeding abrasive, reduce cleanup, and keep the nozzle cutting consistently instead of “surging.”
Which Schmidt metering valve is best for sandblasting?
For many contractor setups, Thompson Valve II is a strong starting point. If you need longer life, consider the Thompson XL. If you run fine/dusty media or experience jamming, the TeraValve XL is often the better fit.
Why is my blast pot wasting abrasive?
Common causes include mismatched metering valves, worn internals, moisture issues that lead to “choking” the pot, or pressure imbalance between the pot and hose that forces abrasive through the valve under pressure.
Can one blast pot run multiple blasters?
Yes—depending on your pot configuration and valve choice. Multi-outlet setups typically require valves and controls designed for that demand, along with proper system balancing.
The Bottom Line
Your metering valve determines how efficiently you blast. Choose the right valve for your abrasive and blasting style, and you’ll reduce media waste, improve control, and protect uptime. If you want help sizing the right option, tell us what media you run, how you blast, and what problems you’re trying to solve—our team will guide you to the best fit.
Ready to Spec a Metering Valve?
Tell us your abrasive type (new vs reclaimed), pot setup, hose length, and whether you’re pressure-hold or pressure-release. We’ll match you to the right valve and help you reduce waste and downtime.