Merlinhaggard

I just got a blast cabinet. Works great when I can get flow but its not right.

I had some silica. think it was too big got rid orf it. Just picked up some play sand. I guess its a bit moist wont flow. Any help???

big_G

Put the play sand in the garden and get some blasting sand. It is uniform in size and contains no moisture. Only costs a little more. BTW, wear a mask, especially if the cabinet doesn't have a vacuum system.

Merlinhaggard

Ive read where a few giuys have used play sand and said it worked great???

big_G

The problems with play sand is the particles can be large, and leave a very rough texture on the part. Also, play sand is usually exposed to moisture, like outdoors until sold.

Big2Bird

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...rID=243&KICKER

I use the blass bead from Harbor Freight. Works good. Cheap.

Merlinhaggard

Play sand sucks. I guess Ill get the alum oxide at Harbor. 25 lbs for 20.00... What grit?.

Steve's74

Shipping will kill you on this, if Harbor Freight doesn't have a local store. This stuff is heavy. Tractor Supply stocks it, if you have one local. I pick up 50 lbs of 80 grit alum oxide for around $32 locally. That grit seems to be a great all around compromise between speed and finish texture.

http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp...productID=1603

Steve

gator79

way less dust, but still use a vac

Mark G

I agree with using glass beads. It's the best, plus more gentle on your blaster. One other note about play sand, it's usually natural sand and edges are round. Sand blast sand is crushed and screened for size. It's edges are much sharper. The difference in "cut" is amazing.

Also about the flow problem. Are you using a moisture trap? If not, that could be a big part of your problem. You need a good one for bead blasting. It should be at least 25 feet from your compressor to allow the warm compressed air to cool and the moisture to condense back to water so it can be separated. I've seen guys mount them right on the compressor and they don't do any good there.

MarkG

GTR1999

I have a TP tools blast cabinet and it is great for the work I'm always doing. I can fit a diff in it and work it but that's about it. I have their vacuum system with HEPA bag too and it's great. No mess, noise, and makes a nice little tool tray on top! I use coarse glass bead but it's not really too bad for cutting into iron. It will bounce off heavy built up dirt. I'm running off a 50 HP screw compressor so CFM is not a problem. I find the mylar lens covers don't last long at all- anyone know of a less expensive supplier for them? they add to the material cost of a job and I don't charge for that type of expense.
The nozzles will wear out as well and sometimes the gun will clog with the crap you're blasting. Every couple of jobs I drain the bead through a screen to clean it up. It does require maintenance on a regular basis.

noonie

Someone that knows how to blast. This is the secret.

Try this place. It isn't too bad for Mylar or cabinet gloves.
http://littleblaster-store.stores.ya...ylprotfil.html

Big2Bird

50 HP screw? You have 3 phase at home?

SIXFOOTER

Wow, nothing like HP.
Use a drier on the pressure line and make sure your blast medis is DRY! It will NOT flow if there is any moisture in it.

C3 4ME

A 50HP screw compressor, that's nothing. I was using a blast cabinet the other night that had a 502 running it (or at least the person had a spare 502 emblem lying around and stuck it on the cabinet)

txeagle

Yep, play sand is horrible. I usually can pick up media @ Northern Tools over here at 290/pinemont. I seem to remember that 50lbs of black silica was ~ $20.00. They usually have a fair stock of supplies for media blasting.

Ben

I'm Batman

The fact that silica sand dust will destroy your lungs hasn't been mentioned. If you insist on using that crap, please make out a will leaving your Corvette to me.

Make sure you have a moisture trap between your compressor and blast cabinet (or any other air tools). Moisture clogs and destroys everything.

bobs77vet

i use glass beads and be sure to wear a really good dust mask the dust is really bad for you

82MDVette

The thing I found most important on my Harbor Freight cabinet was to add a good quality moisture trap to the compressor. The worst thing for blasting is water in the lines! Also, check your blasting tip often. If it is worn out and the hole is enlarged (no dirty jokes needed), time to preplace the tip for accurate flow.

Merlinhaggard

Well, Ive found the play sand wont work (small rocks), the silica from northern tool, (45 grit) too big.

I paid the 37.00 for the alum ovide at Harbor (70 Grit) and it works very well. Now my problem (as stated) is moisture. So I need a filter.

Its amazing how with anything related to working on a car. As soon as you uncover one thing you have another to deal with.. I wonder if its the car or the garage. Maybe its me??.

bobs77vet

i actually drilled additiinal holes into the return feed tube so it would pull the glass beads in better then added additonal glass beads