sand blasting

[skiracer]

I'm thinking of buying a cabinet for sandblasting.  There have been many times working on my projects where one would come in handy.  Does anyone have any experience as the what type of material to use for different applications?  Most of the information I have found online speaks in general terms, or in terms to someone who knows what they actually want.  Thanks, James

[t20sl]

James:
Sand works great as long as you sand it a little after blasting.  It leaves too coarse of finish to just paint over.  I use glass bead in about a 70-125 range for general cleaning and prior to painting.  Many other choices like baking soda for a real fine / smooth finish but does not remove paint very well.  Main important thing to remember is a HUGE air compressor.  A typical 5hp 30 gal compressor is useless.  Won't be able to blast other than maybe a minute at a time.  Blasters use a lot of air!

[Rain Man]

I use aluminum oxide on the magnesium and aluminum engine parts. On the chromeolly parts I use sand  and a cheap 10x10 blue tarp to catch most of it.  And like T20sl said, sandpaper smooth afterwards.
 Red neck blacksmith I am !!


Raymond
 Down East Pentons

[skiracer]

Really?  I would have thought the 30 gal. would be enough volume.... so much for thinking!  Thanks for the input, James

quote:Originally posted by t20sl

James:
Sand works great as long as you sand it a little after blasting.  It leaves too coarse of finish to just paint over.  I use glass bead in about a 70-125 range for general cleaning and prior to painting.  Many other choices like baking soda for a real fine / smooth finish but does not remove paint very well.  Main important thing to remember is a HUGE air compressor.  A typical 5hp 30 gal compressor is useless.  Won't be able to blast other than maybe a minute at a time.  Blasters use a lot of air!

[skiracer]

Ray, How are you?  Have not heard much from you lately!  Things okay?  Thanks for the input, I appreciate it, James

quote:Originally posted by Rain Man

I use aluminum oxide on the magnesium and aluminum engine parts. On the chromeolly parts I use sand  and a cheap 10x10 blue tarp to catch most of it.  And like T20sl said, sandpaper smooth afterwards.
 Red neck blacksmith I am !!


Raymond
 Down East Pentons

1976 MC 5 Original Owner
1980 KTM GS
1976 Hercules 175 GS
1982 Suzuki PE 175
1976 Husqvarna 175GP
2002 KTM 200 EXC
1975 Jackpiner (project)
1976 Penton 175 GS (project)

[Richard]

I bought a second used 3hp, 30 gallon compressor that I plumbed into a manifold to use when I bead blast. Works better, with one I had to stop every minute or so to let the pressure build up again, with both compressors running I can work much longer

[454MRW]

I use plastic media on Magnesium engine cases, and applications where I just need to remove paint, not rust. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[DougDyar]

Do some research on the blasting equip you plan to buy. It should be rated as to how much air (cfm) at what pressure (psi) it requires to work properly. Match to amount needed to your compressor's capacity. The bigger the compressor, the better. You can use smaller blast nozzles to reduce the amount of air needed, too. Another trick is to plumb in series a second, large air tank as a reservoir. Once you get the compressor tank and the auxillary tank up to full pressure, you can blast for longer periods. I've seen people use an old beer keg, etc., as an aux tank. Be careful, though, as the tank must be safe to hold the pressure without rupturing. I've been using a blast cabinet along with my Sears compressor for years, and as long as you're willing to stop every 10 minutes or so the let the compressor catch up, it works fine. Not a commercial set up, but for a home garage it works fine.

72 Penton 175 Jackpiner
92 Suzuki DR350
72 Honda CT70
71 Honda CT70H
70 Honda CT70H

[Kip Kern]

TP Tools sells the best blaster packages, use glas beads (60-80 grit) at 80psi.  Works on everything, i.e., steel, aluminum, magnesium whatever. Keep your equipment serviced and change the glas when it gets real dusty. Have fun!