Is there any technique to media blasting?

[pendragon1998]

I am trying to talk myself into buying a small blasting cabinet. I have previously blasted a few parts without a cabinet, in my backyard. I was curious whether there is any particular technique to blasting properly, other than as Lord Nelson used to say, 'Never mind manoeuvres: always go at them!'

 

[countryroad82]

Angles. Use angles on certain things, other stuff hit it head on. Not really much of a technique as it is pay attention to what you're doing. Especially pay attention to what you're doing if your stripping thin metal such as a car or something in that nature as you can warp it. My blast cabinet is one of the best investments I ever made. I use it far more than I ever thought I would.

 

[torqueman2002]

I agree with country^.

I am self taught, using DYI plans and parts from TPI.

It takes some fiddling with media, pressure, and nozzle size to get it dialed in.

Your compressor volume and pressure are very important, otherwise duty cycle will slow you way down.

This is my set up, I can run 100% duty cycle for as long as I need.

You will find you can adjust your technique to suit the job.

I haven't done any sheet metal thinner than the center band on a CM Block grinder, but that was fine with TSCs Black Diamond Medium $8.49/50#.

Oh, don't look into the end of the nozzle when blasting.

 

[pendragon1998]

My cheap HF compressor is woefully underpowered for blasting, but I don't do a heck of a lot of it. Mostly, I'm just interested in occasional blasting of small cast iron parts, like vises, hand drills, that sort of thing. Like I said, I've successfully done some back yard blasting, but even wearing goggles, face shield, dust mask, gloves, you end up with grit EVERYWHERE, requiring a driveway hose down and a shower afterwards. It's miserable. If a little cabinet can spare me that stuff, I'll be happy with using a small compressor for the occasional jobs until I can afford a bigger one.

 

[Gotcha640]

A shaker on the bowl makes a big difference, requires more air. A vacuum or blower to clear the air before you open the box is nice. If it's a bigger cabinet, a lazy susan is good. Basket for small parts. Tear away or cheap window inserts on the inside, replace frequently. Lots of light, attached to the walls, my neighbor just puts cheap work lights in his and it's terrible, they blow around and get knocked over. Adjustment of pressure and volume will be helpful. A way to poke the media pickup, whether a clean out on a hard line or a wire to stick in the open end. Don't put wet things in the box.

 

[rayra]

Techniques a lot like rattle can spray painting, in my limited experience. Don't linger too long in one spot, aim / angle so your 'overspray' does you some good.

 

[kkroger]

Lots of Technique.... Don't put the nozzle directly on the item to be blasted, keep back about 6-8" Use the proper nozzle, keep moving, move over the entire item not just in one spot... Clean GREASE and OILS off the item before blasting, Rarely does shooting directly at the item work as well as allowing the material to "Bounce" off the item. Use a dust collector not just a shop vac, the shop vac will work but they are so noisy... the inexpensive vertical dust collector from HF will work just fine. I use the filter bag from Grizzly... Get a foot pedal valve and a triggerless box gun from TIP, look at the CFM rating on the parts, get the Carbide Nozzle from TIP.... Worth the investment.