Best/Cheapest Alternative to Sand for Blasting?

[xJoey Dubsx]

I have a sand blaster, both the hand gun style with hopper on top, and the big floor style one (not sure what it's called) plus a cabinet. What is the best tihng to use instead of sand that's cheap? Need to blast a ton of stuff on my motorcycle to powdercoat, and am looking for a cheap alternative. I have sand, but it's too damp.

Help please?

 

[VWandDodge]

It depends on what you're blasting, but crushed glass is a good media.

 

[Zrexxer]

If you're looking for CHEAP, there's nothing cheaper than sand. Buy bagged dry blast sand, last time I bought some it was like $4 for a 100 lb bag.

 

[spongerich]

A couple of buckets of glass beads should be more than enough to blast a whole motorcycle if you're using a cabinet. I've had 5 gallons of media in my cabinet for a year now. Did my tank, wheels, frame and a dozen vises and it's still cutting just fine.

 

[plinker]

but crushed glass is a good media.

+1

I've used 60 grit & 120 grit glass on some tool boxes and large & small tools,
Works well.

 

[39 chevy]

I use regular sand box sand, about 2.75 a bag. Just screen it first, works great for me!

 

[89GLH]

I also use play sand. I have to lay it out on my picnic table to dry though, most home depot sand has a lot of moisture in the bags. 3-4 hours in the sun does it, then screen all the chunks out.

 

[dankeenan]

I use black diamond, from northern tool, tractor supply, etc. They carry a fine grit and a more coarse. I use the fine grit in both my blasters, 7.99 a bag.

 

[VWandDodge]

Using play sand for sandblasting is dangerous and not advisable as the sand contains silica quartz, which, when inhaled, can cause silicosis.

A simple respirator IS NOT ENOUGH to prevent this and IS NOT SUITABLE.

Recommending play sand is bad advice, plain and simple.

 

[Mr.N]

If the part is too big for a cabinet, try placing down a tarp or large plastic drop cloth.
When you run out, dump it into a bucket with a screen on top. Not as good as a cabinet, but worked well for my Jeep frame.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

If you're looking for CHEAP, there's nothing cheaper than sand. Buy bagged dry blast sand, last time I bought some it was like $4 for a 100 lb bag.

Where can you buy dry blast sand?

 

[iajonesy]

I saw on American Restoration tv show that they were using crushed coal. They said it has a sharp edge that removes paint quickly but does not scar the base metal. It looked like it was working pretty well on the show.

Mike

 

[Zrexxer]

Where can you buy dry blast sand?

I get it at a local masonry supply.

 

[Thedroid]

Clinker dust if you can get some.

 

[BlindViper]

You guys get sand cheap I pay 10$ a 100 pound bag for #2.

 

[Tool Maker]

Glass and sand and almost anything else you use can use cause terrible lung problems. That said, most of these problems are caused by an accumulation of silica or talcum or asbestos. If you have any care for your future buy a full head mask and cover, with an air feed and a oil less compressor to breath with. Other wise you can use chi pd dry ice or soda. or steel shot. I have permanent bronchitis. and cough a lot every day, and it didn't show up until I was in my 60s. Mac

 

[Catamount]

Hi Joey Dubs, whatever you do, avoid SAND. As mentioned in this thread, when airborne it can do permanent damage to your lungs.

I do a lot of home blasting and powdercoating as well, and I use fine grit coal slag. AKA "Black Diamond" at Tractor Supply Company. $8 for a bag. Before I knew about that, I was buying it for $16 a bag at my local masonry supply company. Both will work great in your blaster. The stuff cuts amazingly well and leaves a perfect surface for powder. Get the fine "60-90" grit.

 

[BlindViper]

Hi Joey Dubs, whatever you do, avoid SAND. As mentioned in this thread, when airborne it can do permanent damage to your lungs.

I do a lot of home blasting and powdercoating as well, and I use fine grit coal slag. AKA "Black Diamond" at Tractor Supply Company. $8 for a bag. Before I knew about that, I was buying it for $16 a bag at my local masonry supply company. Both will work great in your blaster. The stuff cuts amazingly well and leaves a perfect surface for powder. Get the fine "60-90" grit.

How does the black diamond compare to the sand in nozzle wear?

 

[Catamount]

How does the black diamond compare to the sand in nozzle wear?

I can't say. I've never used sand to do any blasting because I've always been afraid of the silicosis warnings. I have a lot of family in the granite business and their experience with silicosis has convinced me to not even consider using sand.

 

[rsanter]

black diamand is very agressive
for most man made sands it it will be worth buying the
carbide nozzles if you plan to do much blasting

bob

 

[coldfusion21]

Play sand is cheap but find a real industrial supply place locally and you'll find that they have all sorts of blasting media for really reasonable prices.

I tried play sand and the moisture and filtering required made it not worth it.

 

[chris fresh]

been using starblast by dupont for a year now in my cabinet,works great for 9 bucks a bag

 

[CudaChick1968]

Hi Joey Dubs, whatever you do, avoid SAND. As mentioned in this thread, when airborne it can do permanent damage to your lungs.

I do a lot of home blasting and powdercoating as well, and I use fine grit coal slag. AKA "Black Diamond" at Tractor Supply Company. $8 for a bag. Before I knew about that, I was buying it for $16 a bag at my local masonry supply company. Both will work great in your blaster. The stuff cuts amazingly well and leaves a perfect surface for powder. Get the fine "60-90" grit.

A big x2 on this one! Glass bead and soda work all right for minor rust removal but if you're going to powder coat your motorcycle parts, you need TOOTH for the powder to adhere well and last a long time. Glass and soda leave too "soft" of a finish.

I also use Black Beauty slag in either Fine or Medium/Fine grit and use it in my cabinets and pot blaster. Though it's a little more expensive than sand ($16/100 lbs. at my semi-local masonry supply), it doesn't have the silicosis dangers outlined above by the other guys, it lasts at least four times as long as sand before it turns to useless dust, and it cuts a lot better.

Nice to see another coater on the board Catamount! Joey, good luck with the project -- keep us posted on your progress.

 

[89GLH]

On VWandDodge's recommendation I went out and picked up the black diamond stuff from TSC, let the blaster fore all that sand out into the yard with all the nozzles open. I also started using a respirator under the hood with earplugs. Much better outcome using black diamond.

 

[AZAV8]

Here is a link to a blasting media guide:

http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/finishing-guides/blasting-media-selection-guide.htm

I hope this helps you with you choice.

Phil

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I can't remember who, but another GJ'er posted this photo before. I hope it helps someone. Ingeniously simple in my opinion.

I have had this in mind for awhile and I intended to use it w/ white play sand, a wet bandana & dust mask... but as warned here several times, play sand is dangerous and is to be avoided. So I'm thinking of the black magic stuff if I can find it here in SoCal...no Tractor Supply here.

For rust removal on the frame of my driver '55 Chevy truck I don't think this approach would work, but for larger flat surfaces it could save a lot of collection work. Make sure to user an ultra fine filter on your shop vac.

 

[Jim Stabe]

Take a look at White Cap, they have a copper smelting slag they sell for ~$12/100 lb bag

 

[uhohjim]

Look at menard's they have a product clled Black Blast................$8.00 per bhag............can't beat the price

 

[cnc-me]

Silica sand from the local lumber yard.
Whole pallet of it at once, they even deliver it on the
lumber truck, about $3.00 for 80# bag.

 

[VWandDodge]

Silica sand from the local lumber yard.
Whole pallet of it at once, they even deliver it on the
lumber truck, about $3.00 for 80# bag.

What part of "silica sand is dangerous and can lead to silicosis" do you NOT understand?

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

Take a look at White Cap, they have a copper smelting slag they sell for ~$12/100 lb bag

Ill have to walk next door for at lunch lol. Theres one 100 feet from my work

 

[Catamount]

What part of "silica sand is dangerous and can lead to silicosis" do you NOT understand?

Agreed. Many of us have mentioned time and time again to AVOID SILICA SAND LIKE THE PLAGUE.

Would you eat lead chips? No? Then why in the world would you use silica sand when there are MUCH less dangerous alternatives?

It's insane to me that people will risk their health over something like sandblasting a project vehicle.

 

[CudaChick1968]

Silica sand from the local lumber yard.
Whole pallet of it at once, they even deliver it on the
lumber truck, about $3.00 for 80# bag.

Add me to the list of guys up there who are shaking their heads and wagging a finger at you.

It's one thing if you have the mega-bux portable clean air suit you can wear .... but at the cost of that setup it's unlikely -- so therefore not reasonable for us to assume -- you have one. If you do, then buy all the silica you want.

 

[xJoey Dubsx]

White cap didnt have any sand blast supplies

 

[rockchucker]

I started my First Sand Blast Cabinet with regular ole Sand sand. Blasted a few parts for most of the day and couldn't breathe the next day. Then I did some research and I will never use Sand sand again. It is really bad Ju-Ju for your Lungs. REALLY bad.


The Black Diamond is a really great product for an over all good Blast Media.

 

[nismomans13]

man you saftey police are insane. I hope you guys at least work in a field where your knowledge of this stuff is applicable. Every time someone posts something on this board weather its using chrome sockets on impacts, welding a air compressor, not wearing a full face mask with supplied clean oxygen to use a grinder. I mean seriously, you said it once let it go man. If someone wants to use play sand to sand blast let them. God, you goody-to-shoes types on this board act like you read every direction and caution that comes with everything and have never done something dangerous or not recommended by the manufacture.

 

[jam022316]

I looked forward to a blasting cabinet in my garage someday but now you all have me very paranoid. Is there any sites or info anything you'd suggest looking into to make sure I'm going about things the cheapest but SAFEST way?

 

[plinker]

Look at menard's they have a product clled Black Blast................$8.00 per bhag............can't beat the price

Have you got an SKU number by chance?

 

[BlindViper]

Have you got an SKU number by chance?

http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...ement/50lb-blasting-sand/p-1408386-c-5648.htm

 

[Catamount]

man you saftey police are insane. I hope you guys at least work in a field where your knowledge of this stuff is applicable. Every time someone posts something on this board weather its using chrome sockets on impacts, welding a air compressor, not wearing a full face mask with supplied clean oxygen to use a grinder. I mean seriously, you said it once let it go man. If someone wants to use play sand to sand blast let them. God, you goody-to-shoes types on this board act like you read every direction and caution that comes with everything and have never done something dangerous or not recommended by the manufacture.

I never got to meet my grandfather because he died of a young age from Silicosis. However, if drowning in your own lungs is your death of choice by all means, save $5 and grab the play sand. Just don't expect the rest of us to sit idly by as you recommend that to other people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis