Blast cabinet media

BobReeves · Nov 26, 2016

Just found out the wife is buying me a sand blast cabinet for Christmas.
I will mostly be cleaning up rusty parts and wondering what media everyone is using?

Stephen Newell · Nov 26, 2016

I use all purpose sand from the lumber company. It has some grit too big for the sandblaster but I made a wooden frame and stretched a piece of screen wire over it to sift it. I recycle the sand anyway so what gets used is sifted anyway.

RESLLS · Nov 26, 2016

Black Beauty or Black Diamond. It is coal slag, not silica. Edges stay sharp longer than siica. You need to find out tip size before you pick the grit size. Medium cut black Diamond is 3.4 to 4.2 mils. Needs a 5/16" tip. 50lb bag of BD is $7 at Rural King. Probably need 2 depending on size.

WESnIL · Nov 26, 2016

My Christmas list included a leaf blower and another antique tractor. I found a leaf blower on sale so bought it. There is no sense in passing up a good deal. That is what the better half would have done. Now to get her to buy the antique tractor. But doubt that will happen. Just buy it myself and say I had her permission?!!@#$!!! Question to self: Do you know where the couch or dog house are located?
To make this reply topic related TP Tools does not recommend using sand as a blasting media in their cabinets. I am still on the lower end of the learning curve regarding media, tips, etc. One time a tip will wear out in short order (I don't even get to rotate the tip as recommended or I forget too.) and the next tip seems to last forever. Previously I had used the cabinet of a friend who only uses glass beads. Using them seems like slow motion compared to Black Diamond, Black Beauty, or a similar blasting media.

retired farmer · Nov 26, 2016

Glass beads. Just have to be careful not to get it in your eyes.

rustyfarmall · Nov 26, 2016

(quoted from post at 03:30:15 11/26/16) Just found out the wife is buying me a sand blast cabinet for Christmas.
I will mostly be cleaning up rusty parts and wondering what media everyone is using?

Silica sand from the local building center. The dust from silica sand is harmful, but since it will be used in a cabinet, hopefully with some sort of dust collecting device, the silica dust is not an issue. Silica sand is also the absolute most economical way to go, and is readily available at all lumber yards and building centers.

dr sportster · Nov 26, 2016

Glass shot [ last time got it at Fastenal]

ETxJohn · Nov 26, 2016

I use #5 blasting sand for outside heavy blasting, in the blasting cabinet I use glass beads for delicate clean-up.
JWO

Mike Groom · Nov 26, 2016

Black Diamond or Black Beauty,they sell it at Menards,not sure about other box stores,glass is not coarse enough for good rust removal (usually used for finer finish).Adjust your pressure to 40-50 psi and it will last longer.(doesn't break down as quick).

RandyB(MI) · Nov 26, 2016

I second the silica sand. I blast some pretty rusty cast iron carbs and works great. Good vac system so no dust. Cheap and effective and doesn't plug tip and in a siphon system it won't break up like it will in pressure blasting. Cheap and simple and effective. No need to overthink it.

showcrop · Nov 27, 2016

I use black beauty. I clean it periodically by running through a screen that I put in the lid of a 5 gal. bucket. When screening I have my shop vac running by the top of the bucket with the screen positioned a few inches above. The vac pulls the dust out.

Bob - MI · Nov 28, 2016

Yes, there is always a spoiler in the mix but the Black Beauty and silica sand medias are advised with caution by OSHA. Both generate dust that is classified harmful and a good collector or respirator should be used.

Our plant just had a voluntary OSHA inspection done and they were pretty adamant about those medias. We us a DuPont product called Starblast Ultra that is zircon based and cuts faster and lasts longer that anything that we have tested yet. Our operation makes steel investment castings and the high temperatures that we use in casting (up to 2950F) creates a tough scale requiring lots of blasting. Starblast is expensive but it lasts a long time making it cheaper in the long run.

If you want a professional opinion contact Consolidated Stripping and De-rusting in Plainwell MI. Don is the owner and he handles all things blasting. He manufacturers his own line of cabinets (I just bought 2 of them), sells media, gloves, nozzles, you name it. Nice guy but sometimes difficult to get hold of. Loves to talk so you will get lots of info.
Blast guy

rustyfarmall · Nov 28, 2016

Yes, silica dust IS harmful, and should be used with caution. BUT, the main reason to sandblast in the first place is to remove old paint AND rust. The dust generated from sandblasting rust is also very harmful and should not be inhaled.

The point I am emphasizing is that the media you use really doesn't matter, because you NEED to be using respiratory protection with ANY of it.

Blast cabinet media

BobReeves

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Stephen Newell

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RESLLS

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WESnIL

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retired farmer

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rustyfarmall

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dr sportster

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ETxJohn

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Mike Groom

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RandyB(MI)

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showcrop

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Bob - MI

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rustyfarmall

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