Sand blaster question

[crowbar032]

So I bought an old Coby running gear that I'm currently sanding down so I can paint it. Eventually I'll put a hay bed on it. I have one of those harbor freight 40# gravity sand blasters and it's working surprisingly well. Except for I'm using quite a bit of sand. So far I've used 4 bags of sand and I have the rims left to do. Has anyone found a way to "capture" and re-use the sand or should I just continue to let it fall on the ground. I thought about putting down some plastic then scooping it back up to use again. On the other hand at $7 a bag maybe it's not that big of deal.

 

[IslandTractor]

Sand blasting cabinets allow you to recover blasting media but you'd need a really big cabinet if you are doing wheels and equipment. I think most folks would just consider sand a consumable.

 

[crowbar032]

Sand blasting cabinets allow you to recover blasting media but you'd need a really big cabinet if you are doing wheels and equipment. I think most folks would just consider sand a consumable.

I thought about a cabinet but like you said, some things just won't fit in it. And then I'd just have one more tool in my garage taking up space.

I kinda figured sand blasting bigger pieces it would be a consumable, but I never expected to go through that much sand.

 

[Tompet]

I thought about a cabinet but like you said, some things just won't fit in it. And then I'd just have one more tool in my garage taking up space.

I kinda figured sand blasting bigger pieces it would be a consumable, but I never expected to go through that much sand.

Since you stated that little gravity blaster works pretty well, what size compressor are you using? Also, what type of sand? Thanks.

 

[crowbar032]

Since you stated that little gravity blaster works pretty well, what size compressor are you using? Also, what type of sand? Thanks.

I'm using this sand. I had to go with fine as the medium was clogging the nozzle.

Black Diamond Fine Blasting Abrasives - For Life Out Here

The blaster looks something like this.

110 lb. Pressurized Abrasive Blaster

And I'm using an older craftsman compressor something similar below. It does struggle sometimes and I have to wait for it to catch up. I set the blaster at 60 lbs and the compressor runs constantly. I think it would work better with a bigger compressor, but I'm not planning on doing much of this so it's not worth an upgrade. And the sand must be absolutely no question about it powder dry.

Craftsman.com

 

[George2615]

I have the HF blasting cabinet. It works well for everything I need to blast. The largest thing I've had in mine is steel automotive wheels.
I have also used the HF gravity blaster for larger items (I blasted a single axle trailer frame and refinished it a few years ago) and I did put down a tarp first and reused the media a couple times. The tarp made for an easier cleanup when I finished.
I also use the black diamond media.

 

[bikerdib]

I have reused actual sand before by sweeping it up off the concrete where I was doing the job. Just be aware that the media breaks down and becomes less effective because it looses the sharp edges. It also requires sifting to remove whatever you are cleaning from the object such as paint. Basically, I decided it is not worth the trouble.

Hopefully you have some type of respirator. I'm thinking about using some hose and a shop vac to set up a positive pressure hood next time I do some blasting.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Except for I'm using quite a bit of sand. So far I've used 4 bags of sand and I have the rims left to do. Has anyone found a way to "capture" and re-use the sand or am I should I just continue to let it fall on the ground. I thought about putting down some plastic then scooping it back up to use again. On the other hand at $7 a bag maybe it's not that big of deal.

This is what I do when I have a big job. ... About 20 foot square plastic on concrete, edges elevated on 2x4s. Done in the sunshine to prevent dampness. Sweep up, sift thru window screen and re use.

 

[SPIKER]

I have some heavy metal screen like door screen only heavier, I sweep and run it through a few times. As other said it breaks down faster than you may think a couple few times thru and it's shot.

I also have a HF cab blaster it is the big version and takes up some space & it all is run off a 7.5HP IR compressor that was a 80gal, $999.00 unit from TSC a few years ago works great can run my HF blast cab 100% and still shuts off & restarts after a few min of blasting.

Be sure to wear good respirator if using cheap sand, the stuff above is OK it is slag so not as much SI in it so not as great of chance at respiratory issues. Glass beads are great at surface prep and cheap sand with high amounts of silicon in it while great surface actually leaves a non stick coating that keeps paint from biting well. It needs cleaned with a phosphate cleaner to remove it and help etch the metal for paint to stick.

M

 

[BethelHntr]

As spiker said above, Use a good respirator, You may not see the sand but you will see the remnants of it all around your garage on flat surfaces.

There is a mod available for these that might be of interest to some to increase performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgZW2GBvZQs