which blast media do I want?

[1982fxr]

It's for the hf floor model blast cabinet. The stuff in the pictures is typical of what I'll be doing. We don't have Tractor Supply in Phoenix and I'm not really seeing anywhere to buy media in person other than harbor freight. And I've read their media *****. Shipping is like $30-40 for a 55 pound bucket or bag. That *****.

Anyway, which type of media should I get?

 

[Zeke]

For that kind of stuff you can use play sand. Or the white sand if you want a finer grade.

 

[1982fxr]

I've read that play sand has silica in it though. What do you guys think about glass?

 

[Zeke]

All sand has silica in it that I know of. Don't breathe it.

Glass? You're kidding. Especially after the silica comment.

 

[1982fxr]

never blasted before, got no problem admitting I'm clueless.

 

[bseant]

The hf beads aren't too bad but if you don't have a hf around that shipping is going to kill you on price. Don't use play sand as the silica is terrible for you and really almost nobody uses "sand" anymore. stick with glass beads or walnut shells, oxide. In my area welding shops usually carry blasting equipment and supplies. otherwise hit up a powder coating place and see if they can point you in the right direction.

 

[helterskelter]

Walnut shells is a waste of time. Glass beads is nice for aluminum, otherwise not aggressive enough.

If you're trying to save money, find a shop that's disposing of some used aluminum oxide or silicon carbide. We run a fairly rigorous grit replacement schedule in our aerospace shop (lots of welding / brazing / etc), cleanliness is a *big* deal. So we toss good sharp grit because we can't risk contamination (even high quality abrasives are cheap compared to re-working parts).

If you've got money to spend then aluminum oxide from an abrasives dealer is the way to go. If you're doing lots of welding, silicon carbide might be the way to go.

 

[mayday0017]

Northern Tools sells media if you have one of them around, just FYI.... I personally use Glass for about everything I do, but I am never removing heavy rust. When I blast I am typically trying not to pit the surface to much and I like the finish glass leaves me with.

 

[BDAZSVT]

Tractor supply sells Black Diamond They usually have 2 differant grits. $7.99 for 50lb

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

 

[Steevo]

I have used the HF media and it works fine on stuff like vises and steel or iron parts.

 

[1982fxr]

I have used the HF media and it works fine on stuff like vises and steel or iron parts.

which media specifically? this stuff?

http://www.harborfreight.com/garage...ck-aluminum-oxide-abrasive-70-grit-99945.html

 

[Zeke]

Aluminum oxide is good stuff. Personally, I use **** sand on rough stuff. I don't spend any money on it and I don't save it. I had a small cabinet blaster and I threw it away. I blast outside. I have a hood, gloves and a mask for outside. 42 bucks for some 'media' is not important to me. If I have important things to blast, I take them to a pro. $42 goes a long way at the shop.

 

[Stephenw]

Aluminum oxide.

 

[sberry]

Fine for rust, course and sharp for paint.

 

[ToddG]

My wife's company sells blast media at 24th St and University. She can get whatever you want but there may be a $50 minimum....

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Best multipurpose media for a cabinet in my opinion is 40/60 glass beads. Cuts pretty good and doesn't rough up the metal, you could use it (carefully) on aluminum, brass or bronze along with steel or iron.

Everything else will be either exceedingly course or make horrible amounts of dust. Aluminum oxide is very aggressive and will make even steel quite rough. Black magic or similar is a coal based media if I recall and does work, but is very dusty and also not a good multi-purpose media.

You will be surprised what you find yourself using it on when you get it set up and working.

Charles

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Call around to masonry supply places. They sell sand for blasting. No matter what you use to blast, you will need to have a respirator at the very least. Once you get that figured out results will obviously depend on the blaster and compressor you are using. Media blasting requires alot of constant air.

You can also go to a local highschool and ask the shop teacher if he/she would have the students blast the parts for you in a blast cabinet. Tell him/her you'll buy pizza for the class as payment.

I just blasted a smaller Prentiss (15 #'er) vise I got at a local flea market for $10. It took me all of 1 minute to get it white clean using TSC Black Diamond. I only used half a bag, but I have a shop compressor which can keep up with my Marco blaster.

 

[sgs236]

I always use play sand from Lowes and I always wear a respirator. You can't beat the price and I can reuse the bag about three times before it quits cutting. The only drawback is that sometimes I have to dry the sand in the oven before I can use it. I have found that on sheet metal it leaves a nice surface finish for painting.

 

[evintho]

Tractor supply sells Black Diamond They usually have 2 differant grits. $7.99 for 50lb

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...ory_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

+1!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Call around to masonry supply places. They sell sand for blasting. No matter what you use to blast, you will need to have a respirator at the very least. Once you get that figured out results will obviously depend on the blaster and compressor you are using. Media blasting requires alot of constant air.

You can also go to a local highschool and ask the shop teacher if he/she would have the students blast the parts for you in a blast cabinet. Tell him/her you'll buy pizza for the class as payment.

I just blasted a smaller Prentiss (15 #'er) vise I got at a local flea market for $10. It took me all of 1 minute to get it white clean using TSC Black Diamond. I only used half a bag, but I have a shop compressor which can keep up with my Marco blaster.

The OP noted in the first post that he has a HF blast cabinet

Charles

 

[toomanytoyzz]

The OP noted in the first post that he has a HF blast cabinet

Charles

Just letting him know that there are other options, that's all.

I'm sure he can get media out there. He's in AZ. Sand is almost as abundant as illegal aliens in AZ.

 

[5mall5nail5]

For that kind of stuff you can use play sand. Or the white sand if you want a finer grade.

Absolutely not!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis

DO NOT USE SILICA BASED BLASTING MEDIA

 

[Rickster55]

Grainger also sells media. I just bought a blast cabinet and will be picking up a bucket of glass beads from there.

 

[ZRX61]

I've blasted 30+ vises. What you start with is (acrylic) plastic media. It will remove all the paint & all the dirt etc. Then you swap the media over & go at it with glassbeads where needed to get it ready for paint. The plastic stuff is more expensive, but lasts for months/years.
Also use glass beads on the handle & jaws that won't be painted, then buzz them with a wirewheel to make to shine.
DA sander with #220 discs for the top/sides of the slide.