HF media blaster?

[Dragster Racer]

I have one job I would like to use a media blaster for. Maybe soda? I want to de-rust some 2-3 engine blocks. Since it is pretty much a one time deal, I don't want to spend a fortune. Any recommendations for HF equipment?

 

[Brad1234]

I have one of those pressure tank ones from HF. Has a tank about the size of the gas tank on a grill. I have used it to blast the paint off of a couple of old fire hydrants. You can imagine how many coats of paint they had on them. You might check into a rental or check the price on just having it done at a place that does sandblasting. It is a very messy job & you will need to cover up & have a face shield on at the very least.

 

[Dragster Racer]

Good point. I will check

 

[Matti]

Isn't de-rusting usually done in a chemical bath? You probably need aggressive media to take rust off which won't be good for machined surfaces. I don't think the engine shops charge much for cleaning up blocks and heads.

 

[kc-steve]

Soda doesn't work for rust.

Just a side note -- I have the mid-sized HF blaster and first made a mistake using Arm and Hammer laundry soda, and it clogged my system. I happened to have it around so thought I would try it first. After spending at least an hour or so I finally got the clog out. I just bought some HF soda media to try next, and I'll make sure I strain it for clumps when filling. I haven't tried the new soda media yet, . . . but I know that it doesn't take rust off.

Steve

 

[GTO]

Take them to a machine shop.
Mine is going in one of these:http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=69026&PartNo=PBC57A&group_id=13638&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

 

[Bear]

I used a HF soda blaster to clean up a rusty I beam - maybe I just got a bad one but it would only use 25-30% of the media before I had to keep shaking it up to work and it still would not use all of the media. (Used HF media.) Returned it for $$ back.

 

[Jay H 237]

I used a HF soda blaster to clean up a rusty I beam - maybe I just got a bad one but it would only use 25-30% of the media before I had to keep shaking it up to work and it still would not use all of the media. (Used HF media.) Returned it for $$ back.

Was the media damp? Any moisture, even from air lines, will cause it to clump up and clog. My containers of media are wrapped in plastic while stored in the garage to keep it dry as I may not blast for months at a time but it's nice to have the media on hand when needed.

 

[kc-steve]

I used a HF soda blaster to clean up a rusty I beam - maybe I just got a bad one but it would only use 25-30% of the media before I had to keep shaking it up to work and it still would not use all of the media. (Used HF media.) Returned it for $$ back.

Good thing you took it back, BECAUSE, like I said above, it doesn't remove RUST!

Steve

 

[Dragster Racer]

The machine shops around here say that their washers won't remove rust, and they recommend blasting. If soda won't do it, I may have to go with something larger.

 

[jakesterk]

If you use soda, try Armanmex but you would be better off with a mild media like a 30/60 green diamond. Its a slag kind of like Allox but better at not destroying the surface

 

[barney rubble]

Some of the tombstone companies around here do custom blasting of big object. I had a car done once.

 

[Bear]

Was the media damp? Any moisture, even from air lines, will cause it to clump up and clog. My containers of media are wrapped in plastic while stored in the garage to keep it dry as I may not blast for months at a time but it's nice to have the media on hand when needed.

I suppose there could have been moisture from the compressor as I did not use a dryer of any kind - I just assumed it was a knock off **** problem.

kc - I don't know about taking off rust but it did finally do what I needed.

 

[35mastr]

Cheapest way for that with the best results is a 55 gal drum filled with feed grade Molases. You wont beleive your eyes with the results.

 

[Bigpigdave]

If you plan on rebuilding these engines you need to find a machine shop with an oven and shot blaster. This is one of the proper approaches to cleaning engine parts before machining. The oven bakes and dries any grease/ oil deposits and the shot blasting cleans the external/ internal areas. I'm sure you could do part of this your self but most engine machining shops should have this equipment and the cost should be minimal as a part of all machining costs. Good luck!!
JMO, Dave