One Company that has built up a very high reputation in the area of shotblasting machines, not just in its local area of Yorkshire but also globally is Doug Booth (UK) Ltd of Ossett.
Doug started the Company in 1969, moving to its first factory in 1976. In 1991, Doug moved the whole operation to its present site in Ossett. Today, the Company occupies a 30,000 square foot site and not only offers a full range of new machines but also holds the UK’s largest stocks of factory rebuilt and second-hand machines.
Works Director Paul Booth explains, “If you buy a new machine, it is frequently engineered down to a price and designed to take manufacturer-only spare parts. On the other hand, a factory-rebuilt machine will generally have been built to a much higher specification and take non-patent parts, thereby ensuring that running costs are minimised. Making this choice is really a no-brainer as frequently it will only be about 60%-65% of the price of a new one and carry equivalent guarantees, We also carry a full range of spares for all makes and types of shotblasting machinery, typically we will have over £100,000 worth of spares in stock at any one time. We have now acquired the design and manufacturing personnel of the former Wheelabrator Company and make a full range of new, high quality machines.”
The Company’s aim is to produce the highest quality and most durable machines or processing lines coupled with the lowest operating costs. Booth’s qualified and experienced engineers are available to advise upon the design, installation, operation and maintenance of a very wide range of shotblasting machinery. They can also advise upon relocating machinery.
Doug Booth excel in the area of sales, upgrade and refurbishment of machinery and this now accounts for around 75% of turnover. Paul adds, “The machinery we turn out is mechanically 99% as good as a new machine. Everything is rebuilt to the latest HSE standards and incorporates new up to date electrics, blast heads and electrics found on new machines. Old era machines were built to last, offer the highest durability, and are the choice of many long established manufacturers
One of the Company’s prize exhibits is the longlife META blastwheel assembly. This unit improves the performance of any shotblast machine by offering accurate projection of abrasive whilst eliminating the peripheral spray which breaks down abrasive and wears out the machines linings.
The Housing is peripherally lined with High Speed Steel alloy with Hard Metal boss mount location side plates The wheel is available in two materials – 20MnCr5, which has around 2.5 times the life and toughened high speed steel with carbide spacers which offers 20 times the life of conventional wheels. The blades are available in two materials – through hardened high chrome alloy (x1.6 life) and toughened tungsten carbide (X20 life up to x40). The design virtually eliminates peripheral abrasive spray directing more abrasive onto the workpiece, lengthening machine life and offering faster cleaning for the same power (expect a 15-20% improvement).
Paul concludes by saying, “Although most of our work has been in the UK, we have also worked as far north as Norway and as far east as Malaysia. We have world-beating machines and can take on the World’s best manufacturers !”
For further information please telephone 01924 274887 or visit www.dougbooth.co.uk
