HF sandblaster

I have a Hazard Fraught sandblaster, one of those keg shaped ones on a cart. The ONE time I used it, it worked exactly as the OP wrote...It kicked *** for 3-4 seconds at a time but would clog up. I'd tap the nozzle and it would work, then clog again. This was using sand. I ran out of sand and poured in the crushed walnut shells. They were new and in a plastic bag in a box.
The hose clogged instantly and could NOT be cleared out. It was as if the shells all got interlocked all through the 8 foot hose and would not clear out. I hit the hose with hammers to knock it loose, ran a 32" screwdriver through each end but couldn't reach the middle. Now to do anything, I'll need to buy another hose. Hell, maybe I'll buy two so I'll have a spare if this crap happens again.