Blasting media choice help

[daddycreswell]

Not sure if anyone seen my thread on my crude sandblasted. Anyway, I'd been using sand for making my etched cups with great success, but I thought I would try something else with the whole lungs stuff. Anyway I picked up some black diamond media at TSC yesterday and was using it, had my PSI at 80 just like I used with the sand. I noticed while doing a couple of cups that the black diamond was ripping my vinyl that I use as the stencil on the cups. Never had any problem with the sand doing it. Now the media choice isn't the only thing I changed, I was using one of the HF handle held sandblasters with the hopper on top. I switched to another one that has the air hose and a feed hose. Got tired of refilling the hopper every few minutes. Back to my question, anyone have recommendations on the media I'm using now, or another media I could use? I'm worried if I drop the PSI to 70 or so I won't get the full effect of etching. Sorry for the ramble. Thanks

 

[lutter94]

I have the black diamond stuff from TSC. It's a jagged coal slag. Even the fine stuff, what did you use before?

 

[daddycreswell]

I have the black diamond stuff from TSC. It's a jagged coal slag. Even the fine stuff, what did you use before?

Regular screened sand.

 

[Falcon67]

I use glass bead for most things (metal, aluminum) and keep aluminum oxide for more aggressive work. Not sure about etching glass, but I'd try al oxide.

 

[matt_i]

There is glass bead and then mixtures of aluminum oxide and glass to increase aggressiveness. I think Trinco has various mixes.

 

[BillK]

What are you using for a screen ? My Wife uses some stuff that is pretty thick, maybe 1/16" ? It is orange. She has used Black Beauty and never had an issue. She mostly does mirrors. If you are using a real thin vinyl probably anything real aggressive is going to eat it up.

 

[BearsFan315]

Seems Silicon Carbide is the glass choice, hard stuff !!

good article here: What materials are used for etching?
Blast Media Selection

 

[daddycreswell]

What are you using for a screen ? My Wife uses some stuff that is pretty thick, maybe 1/16" ? It is orange. She has used Black Beauty and never had an issue. She mostly does mirrors. If you are using a real thin vinyl probably anything real aggressive is going to eat it up.

I was using a kitchen strainer for my sand. My vinyl is oracle 651, like what is used for decals. I'd like to know about what she uses.

 

[BillK]

I'd like to know about what she uses.

The stuff that she uses is specifically made for blasting. It is a rubber type material with adhesive. Her brother works in a sign shop and he gets it for her. I will see if I can find out exactly what brand it is. Here is something similar:

http://www.hillas.com/Categories/3M...l6kfgKp0RFnrVjZ7BY-6fg9IqPoMeseVwwxoCWMHw_wcB

 

[southalabama]

Silicosis is bad stuff. Be very very careful using sand.

We used to use black beauty prior to painting compound bow risers. Using aluminum oxide now on ar15s. A buddy uses it on yeti cups with stencils.