Sandblasting question

[WhoWhatNow]

So I tried media blasting for the first time today and it didn't work out so well. I couldn't get any media to actually come out of the nozzle.

I tried using a Harbor Freight 40lb blaster and a Speed Blaster. I was using Black Diamond media from TSC. With a nozzle on, I only got a little bit of air coming out. If I took the nozzle off I would get media shooting out, but not very fast. There were two water separators 25 and 50ft from the compressor. When the media came out it did not clump together so I think the air was relatively dry. Has anyone used Black Diamond media before? It seems to be pretty course. I think it is just too course for the nozzle. Should I try a different media? I was thinking of trying the aluminum oxide from HF. Any suggestions?

 

[930dreamer]

What size compressor are you using?

 

[BJ42LX]

There are two grits of Black Diamond offered by TSC: 20-40 and 30-60. The 40 is real coarse and probably not for use in non-commercial settings. The 30-60 stuff works fine for me both in my blast cabinet and siphon blaster.

 

[Keith_MN]

Yea, I think the nozzle was too small or the media had too many big pieces in it. You may have to pre-filter the media to make sure if flows right.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

There are two grits of Black Diamond offered by TSC: 20-40 and 30-60. The 40 is real coarse and probably not for use in non-commercial settings. The 30-60 stuff works fine for me both in my blast cabinet and siphon blaster.

Bingo! It is 20-40. Thanks! I think I will make a quick run to HF tomorrow since it is closer.

 

[dodge610]

If you have a menards close to you they sell a media also and I think its cheaper than HF. That is where i buy mine for my part time beadblast business.

 

[mad57]

If you have a clayton block near you its $16 for 100 lbs not bad and it works well.

 

[stormin]

Tractor Supply has 50 lb. bags of media at $7.99 (killer price) and it works great!

 

[gsport]

HF is probably the most expensive place to get media from...