Media Blaster Choice

[Sogra]

Looking for a bit advice, Had my new ramp delivered today (mobile scissor lift) and now want to buy a sand / media blaster, the sort of thing for getting rust or paint off chassis of panels.

Anybody used a home one, any advice on which one and what media do they use sand, ground glass etc.

I have seen one from Machine Mart that looks okay and has decent reviews but only used proper garage type one years ago.

Thanks

[Toaster Pilot]

Interested in this myself for a completely different reason but concerned with dealing with the dust / waste / etc so posting so I can see the responses

[steveo3002]

what compressor do you own

[Sogra]

I have a Clark that is about 10CFM with a 50 ltr tank, does air tools okay.

[BigBo]

something like this and the biggest compressor you can get you hands on, anything smaller is painfully slow and unable to strip to bare metal, 50L isn't really a compressor its a tire inflator, I would normally use bags of crushed glass, and lots of protective clothing, respirator and safety mask+glass's are a must

[Sogra]

BigBo said:

something like this and the biggest compressor you can get you hands on, anything smaller is painfully slow and unable to strip to bare metal, 50L isn't really a compressor its a tire inflator, I would normally use bags of crushed glass, and lots of protective clothing, respirator and safety mask+glass's are a must

That looks like the one from Machine Mart and crushed glass is what I thought would be best.

Re the compressor, I thought it was the PSI (mine is 115psi) and the CFM that was important as the tank is just storage but for sure if you are using a lot of air the compressor is constantly on?

Thanks

[daveenty]

10CFM is not really a true figure. FAD (Free Air Delivery) is what you need to be looking at. This is normally about 2/3 of the manufacturers maximum capacity or less. Also, a 50 litre tank will not last many minutes when blasting unfortunately as it's very heavy on air.

I just use a blast cabinet and my 150 litre compressor (14CFM ~ 9CFM FAD) is running near enough constantly.

As for media, glass bead is good, as is aluminium oxide for heavier duty stuff. Please don't use sand as not only is it illegal, but also a major health hazard.

[Sogra]

daveenty said:

10CFM is not really a true figure. FAD (Free Air Delivery) is what you need to be looking at. This is normally about 2/3 of the manufacturers maximum capacity or less. Also, a 50 litre tank will not last many minutes when blasting unfortunately as it's very heavy on air.

I just use a blast cabinet and my 150 litre compressor (14CFM ~ 9CFM FAD) is running near enough constantly.

As for media, glass bead is good, as is aluminium oxide for heavier duty stuff. Please don't use sand as not only is it illegal, but also a major health hazard.

Thanks

[steveo3002]

with that sort of compressor youre looking at spot blasting and small brackets etc , stuff like a set of wheels or suspension parts you might as well pay to have it done as it would take you ages ...and the mess is unreal

[carl_w]

daveenty said:

As for media, glass bead is good, as is aluminium oxide for heavier duty stuff. Please don't use sand as not only is it illegal, but also a major health hazard.

For educational purposes, why is this? Glass and sand being effectively the same thing.

[daveenty]

The use of sand for industrial blast cleaning has been illegal in the UK since 1948, the reason being that it is 98% silica and the dust can cause silicosis. It can be used as an abrasive but is not as efficient as the modern specialist abrasives and is also very dusty.

From here: http://www.angloscotabrasives.co.uk/ on the FAQ page, also several other sources reiterate this.

[carl_w]

daveenty said:

The use of sand for industrial blast cleaning has been illegal in the UK since 1948, the reason being that it is 98% silica and the dust can cause silicosis. It can be used as an abrasive but is not as efficient as the modern specialist abrasives and is also very dusty.

From here: http://www.angloscotabrasives.co.uk/ on the FAQ page, also several other sources reiterate this.

Thanks, you live and learn. Presumably the glass beads are bigger.

[Neil_M]

My experience has led me to sway away from Sand Blasting too, in favour of Media Blasting.

However finding people that "Media Blast" was difficult for me...

[StescoG66]

My wee compressor runs 8 bar and didn't so much as make a scratch on the door I was trying to strip down. I was using fine glass grit (0.2-0.5mm). My compressor is just a wee home one, the Aldi one from a few years back.
I presume I need much higher pressure? Or is the blasting attachment the problem? I may just hire a powerful one fr a few days if need be

[daveenty]

Good morning and Happy New Year.

Loads of information on the site I posted above, but for the definitive guide, have a look on HERE

carl_w said:

Thanks, you live and learn. Presumably the glass beads are bigger.

I don't think that it's that they're bigger, just that they don't break down into dust like sand, but I'm no chemist so couldn't be sure. I just know that it's not particularly good for you, as seconded in the sticky in the link I've just put in this post.

Edited by daveenty on Thursday 1st January 09:57

[SEE YA]

I am looking at a soda blaster Eastwoods one. The dual type one, not new as they cost a lot. This one you can mix the soda of two types if needed hard and soft mixture.

So looking on Ebay for one secondhand still no luck.

[Neil_M]

StescoG66 said:

My wee compressor runs 8 bar and didn't so much as make a scratch on the door I was trying to strip down. I was using fine glass grit (0.2-0.5mm). My compressor is just a wee home one, the Aldi one from a few years back.
I presume I need much higher pressure? Or is the blasting attachment the problem? I may just hire a powerful one fr a few days if need be

It's really the CFM you should be looking at. Your requirement will come from the gun and it's nozzle size.

[StescoG66]

Neil_M said:

StescoG66 said:

My wee compressor runs 8 bar and didn't so much as make a scratch on the door I was trying to strip down. I was using fine glass grit (0.2-0.5mm). My compressor is just a wee home one, the Aldi one from a few years back.
I presume I need much higher pressure? Or is the blasting attachment the problem? I may just hire a powerful one fr a few days if need be

It's really the CFM you should be looking at. Your requirement will come from the gun and it's nozzle size.

Aye mine is 9.5cfm, can get my mitts on a 14cfm for the weekend so suspect that this may make a better job of it.

[Neil_M]

Let me know how you get on if you don't mind.

I'm pricing a few set-ups at the moment myself, so only an "internet expert".