sandblasting advice

[scott37300]

I need some advice for begginer trying to sandblast. About five years ago I bought a used ALC sandblaster for a good price, never really had a need to use it till now. Here is a link to the model I have http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...21x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00916007000P

I need to clean up some rusty metal and paint it and thought it might be a good time to use this blaster. Looking for advice on setting up a space to do this, inside or outside. Have a smaller garage so would need to do some curtans or something to stop the media from going everywhere if done inside. Can I just do it outside and sweep up the mess? Also need advice on setting up the machine and using it. I have a big enough compressor and have a 30 dollar harbor freight water filter, not sure if that is good enough or not. I assume there isn't to much to using it once you get it set up right, point and squeeze? And lastly what about the types of media, not sure what to use.

Sorry for the long post, want to try and learn as much as I can about blasting before trying it out. Thanks for any advice you might be able to share with a newbie!

Scott

 

[OccupantRJ]

You can use play sand from Lowes if you run it thru a screen first to filter it, beware of silicosis, google it. Outside on a tarp, then you can reclaim it easily, and reuse it. Lots of vegetation around, filters the wind drift dust cloud.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

You can use play sand from Lowes if you run it thru a screen first to filter it, beware of silicosis, google it. Outside on a tarp, then you can reclaim it easily, and reuse it. Lots of vegetation around, filters the wind drift dust cloud.

I did that a long time ago when I was a teenager (I'm 55 now) and didn't used a respirator or anything - GALACTICALLY stupid.

Make sure you get a truly good respirator. Spend the dough, I just had an old friend diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. You know, the stuff the ambulance chasers are always running radio ads about. Never paid them any attention til I found out I knew someone who had it.

 

[T VETTE]

I have one sort of like that and used a cheap cover hood, ear plugs, safety glasses. Never blast inside with sand, it will go everywhere. As far as your body it will get in every orifice. I really prefer bead blaster in an enclosed box if you can get access to one. If a big item then stuck with sand outside. Good luck.

 

[scott37300]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I will use some plastic in the driveway and make a screen to filter the sand, I assume just some normal screen for windows?

I've read that if the air has any moisture in it it can cause problems. MIght have to look into a better filter.

 

[Red Green]

I have about the same blaster different company. If you drain the air compressor before you start the HF filter should be ok. Regular sand is ok. I use the Black Beauty from Menards. It seems to cut better. There should be a valve to adjust the air sand mixture.

Use it outside deffently. If there is a breeze the day you are using it and you are down wind the cheap paint mask would be ok. but a real respirator would be better. the screen is about the same size as normal window screen.

 

[Wildfire1]

I've done a lot of sand blasting over the years and let me give you some good advise. Don't do it unless you have nothing less than a air supply and proper head gear. Look after your lungs. If you don't have or can't afford the proper equipment you'll be in money to get a professional to do it for you.

A separate are pump such as the one I use and have pictured keeps a positive pressure in the hood so no dust particles or sand for that matter can get in.

I've built my own blaster and if you read the article you'll see I stressed just how important safety is when sand blasting.

http://weldingdesign.com/processes/news/wdf_22589/

 

[larry4406]

I have a similar unit, no longer made, TIP 99'r. I have used play sand, works well, needs to be screened and DRY and you need a good respirator (there are health concerns with sand). If buying play sand, try to buy it in the heavy duty paper package vs plastic. The plastic holds in the moisture.

 

[spongerich]

I wouldn't recommend play sand. You can buy slag "Black Beauty" media at Tractor Supply etc pretty cheap. It's safer and will work better.

 

[cegreen]

Wildfire - Who makes the helmet you use?

Thanks,

-Chris

 

[sberry]

When I did huge jobs I had supplied air, for the little stuff I do now I usually suit up stand up wind and wear a paint respirator. A nylon jacket with hood works good and a face shield.

 

[sberry]

I luck out and there is a sand plant near and can get it different grades by the ton, about 15$ if I get minimum of 6, 20$ a ton and usually get 2, they pour it out of a massive plant and don't really weigh so I take a couple pallets and fork up the 40, they fill them till they run over. So I don't bother to reclaim, do it like the pic, pull out in big drive and blast.
If I am doing big jobs anymore I rent, have it all lined up and ready. I might tailor the sand size to the job, if its paint strip on structural steel I get super blast, very coarse and sharp, penetrating rust pockets you want a softer finer sand, lately I been getting the coarsest fine I can, about 320A, I only need to stock 1 type for general work.
I can blast nice for about 5 mins on shop air, if I want to run continuous I hook my truck air in the manifold, use 3 comps. Can blast till I run thru a 200# + pot continuous.

 

[sberry]

Put a long wand on so I ain't got to have my face up in it.

 

[scott37300]

Just looked at tractor supply and it's only 8 bucks for 50 pounds of black sand so will use that. Should I still filter this sand since it's made for blasting?

I have a good paint mask so will use that. Looking into blast hood just to keep the sand out of my hair and face. Won't be as nice as a pressurized one but should be fine for what I need.

I bought my blaster used and don't know much about them. I would like to go over it and make sure everything is up to the job. It looks good but since I don't know much about them I don't know what to look for. Are there wear parts on these like the nozzle that I should check out and replace? Just trying to eliminate as many problems as I can before I start.

 

[z28toz06]

somewhere on here I saw an article on what types of material to use, and sand was eh, not so great. that may have been for inside box blasters, but aluminum oxide seemed to be the winner.

 

[Wildfire1]

Wildfire - Who makes the helmet you use?

Thanks,

-Chris

Chris that's made by 3-M. there a great hood. I've had that one for about 6 years now. Cheers, Paul

somewhere on here I saw an article on what types of material to use, and sand was eh, not so great. that may have been for inside box blasters, but aluminum oxide seemed to be the winner.

I use a bead blaster for the smaller items. I use aluminum oxide in my cabinet. Here's a link to a media chart.

http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/finishing-guides/blasting-media-comparison-chart.htm

 

[billspit]

Wildfire
I like that 3m blower too. Don't see those too often or cheap.

I have sandblasted a good bit in the past and use play sand from Lowe's of HD as an absolute last resort. That stuff really is **** and always wet. When i was blasting a lot I would buy graded and dried sand at a local concrete company. 100# bag less than $5 each.

You have been warned about silicosis. Believe it.

I would blast at a pressure around 50-60 psi and fine grade sand. I never warped anything, but the old cars I worked on had thicker sheet metal. You probably can't blast the metal used on cars today.

 

[scott37300]

Has anyone used a hood that connects to the air compressor? I found one http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...s&cm_ite=529005?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=529005 that has decent reviews and a decent price but not sure about the using air compressor air part.