Sand vs Soda blaster

[Helipilot]

So, I'm riding my Honda XR650L Dual Sport on some back roads in the mountains. I passed a house that had a rusty piece of machinery in the front yard. After thinking about it for about a mile I turned around because I finally remembered what it "should" be and sure enough it was an 1897 Chattanooga sugar cane mill. After visiting with the owner, I bought it on the spot. It is in excellent condition except for light surface rust. It weighs 1,960 pounds and is too big for my bead blaster and all the individual parts likewise. As I proceed with this project I will post photos.

I plan to take it apart for a total restoration. What do you guys and gals recommend. Soda or Sand for the clean-up. Looking at Harbor Freight they have both on sale. Since I rebuild aircraft, I never use anything but a glass bead unit. Thanks for your comments.

 

[930dreamer]

I personally wouldn't buy either one from HF, I'd look for a used quality cabinet on CL. I've read that soda blasting might have adhesion/paint issues but I've never used a soda blaster.

 

[2oolhound]

I've never used soda but my understanding is it's more for delicate items like carbs and inside engine cases where you don't want to embed abrasive particles that could dislodge into the oil and wreck your engine.
Sand should have more velocity and work better for such a big job.

 

[msgross]

take my advice and have someone else blast it. Find a trailer/machine shop that does it and you'll be glad you did.

I used coal slag (Black Beauty) on my truck frame and it took two days via a HF blaster. Found out later that my local guy would have done it for about $150... cost me $50 in media alone and that was cheap stuff....

On the blaster note, if it's heavy steel or cast then use a heavier media to blast it. Soda is fine for soft body panels but also has the possibility of residue creeping back into your paint job later.

 

[Helipilot]

Good Points guys. I will drop the soda blaster idea. A good Idea to have a pro do it since I don't need a sand blaster other than for this project.I knew I would find the answers here.

 

[91bronc300]

How break-downable is it? I would break the thing down as much as possible and use electrolysis on as many parts as I can and then try and use your own bead blaster if it's practical for the rest.