What blast abbrasive to use?

[ericher69]

Have an enclosed floor model blast cabinet

Just wondering if crushed glass is a good alternative to silica sand?

 

[RoyJackson]

What are you going to blast...and why are you going to blast it?

Glass bead is pretty commonly used in those booths. It works well for cleaning off light surface rust...stuff like that. I wouldn't use it on a fine machined surface (bearing journal, for example) as glass bead may ruin the surface finish.
You also want to keep the glass bead dry, BTW.

For more fragile things, you can consider using crushed walnut shell or corn husk. These work well on aluminum (wheels, for example) and other softer materials.

 

[ericher69]

Mostly rusted steel
No machined surfaces

 

[deereman75]

I have a siphon feed, open air blaster, and I use silica sand. I know all about the hazards of it, but I feel safe with my 3m resperator.

 

[Gary Fowler]

For carbon steel, Iron slag blast media like Black Beauty is safe and can be reused a couple of times expecially if you mix it with new. For stainless steel, crushed garnet is the recommended blast media.
Glass beads, walnut shells, bicarbonate of soda is used for finer less invasive blasting.
I dont know if I would care to use crushed glass though for safety reasons AND I dont think it would feed very well, just likely stop up your hose.

 

[ericher69]

Bought non silica sand from TSC
$6.99/50lbs

Did not want the risk of silicosis

Will report back on quality

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Don't use silica. I learned on this site sometime back that iron and steel blasted with silica sand is more likely to rust. From my own experience, this is true. I had used Rustoleum to paint a trailer that had been blasted with silica sand, and it bubbled and rusted all over.

 

[Code54]

Yep, the diamond brand from tractor supply is good and so is black beauty. Fairly cheap, lasts, and with a cabinet the dust factor is low. If you don't have a vac on your cabinet, it is a very nice add on!

 

[grsthegreat]

Even wit a vac, like mine has, never use silicon sand. A simple respirator mask may/may not help. For someone using it a few hours a month, probibly no issues, but for frequent use, its a MAJOR health issue.

I use a fresh air mask myself (brings in outside air thru hose to face mask.) Way more protection using a positive pressure system then ust a mask.

corn husk works great ..... and glass bead works great, but does break down with continous reuse.

 

[deereman75]

The only reason I use silica sand is that I only sandblast for maybe 1/2 an hour a month. With the amount I use it, and my good resperator, I think I will be fine.