Your Best Sandblasting Tips and Advice

[schmism]

wow i thought i had smelled some old threads... but one that is nearly 10 years old has to be close to a record....

 

[Tools Plus]

You can get a sand blast cabinet or pressure blaster from Tools plus here
Sand Blasting Equipment

Some good advice to far. If you're not working inside a cabinet.. I would recommend a pressureized sandblaster. Even if you have to rent it. They are (I think) about 5 times more efficient than the simple syphon feed sand blasters and MUCh easier on your air compresser. Just an incredible difference. Make sure your sand or other material is absolutely dry. Any moisture will clog it up. Wear a hood and a good resperater and goggles inside the hood. By one of those cheap paper coveralls from an automotive paint store and tape your arm and pant cuffs closed. That sand has a way of getting everywhere and I do mean EVERYWHERE.

Mike

 

[like2wheel]

wow i thought i had smelled some old threads... but one that is nearly 10 years old has to be close to a record....

And yet, one year later, we get a spammer...

 

[newbury]

And yet, one year later, we get a spammer...

And let's revive it again, it's almost old enough to vote -
So far the tips seem to be:
Proper PPE
Black Beauty
Paint quickly
Make sure to paint to prevent rust, and regular primer doesn't prevent rust.

Any other gems?

Advice on paints other than Rustoleum?

I've lot's of small places requiring sanding, a 6CFM@90psi compressor and can easily operate a rattle-can. No big projects, plenty of time.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am working on a unit I got that has an American Eagle four cyl, two stage cast iron compressor. Run by a Kohler V Twin. Entertained the notion of "possibly" doing some small sandblasting. Spoke with American Eagle this morning to learn the compressor has a 50/50 duty cycle. Must be off for 15 minute intervals! I never heard of such a thing, and this clearly puts it out of the question for sandblasting!

 

[newbury]

I am working on a unit I got that has an American Eagle four cyl, two stage cast iron compressor. Run by a Kohler V Twin. Entertained the notion of "possibly" doing some small sandblasting. Spoke with American Eagle this morning to learn the compressor has a 50/50 duty cycle. Must be off for 15 minute intervals! I never heard of such a thing, and this clearly puts it out of the question for sandblasting!

Size matters!
My "small" is like sand blasting spots smaller than a dollar bill where scratches and fluid drips on a tractor wheel have caused rust, parts of a gate that rusted where metal rubbed. Nothing of "big size" (yet).
Also, like welding, battery powered tools, and many things I've found that I'm willing to put up with rest intervals.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I just never heard of duty cycle on compressors. I have a big Divilbiss compressor and dryer that will go non stop, but doesn't have much CFMs and is no good for sandblasting at any scale.

 

[not2old]

I had a job in a machine shop while in high school where I did some sand blasting of "pump sleeves "? in preparation for spray welding. The shop had two five horse power compressors that would run continuously while doing this. My instructions were to continue blasting until one of the compressors quit running. I then went on to other work for a couple of hours while they cooled off before starting blasting again.

 

[fried1765]

I just never heard of duty cycle on compressors. I have a big Divilbiss compressor and dryer that will go non stop, but doesn't have much CFMs and is no good for sandblasting at any scale.

I just did some blasting yesterday.
5HP pressure lubed Quincy, 2 stage, 175 psi, 20 cfm.
I never let it rest, but I run out of stamina before it does.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Your typical Diesel Rotary Screw runs 185 CFMs. 20 seems a bit on the mild side. lol I use a water blasting thing on a commercial electric pressure washer. Works, uses a pile of sand, makes a terrible mess, but no dust or silicosis.