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Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Technical Tips, Builds, and Help => Topic started by: Jim on April 10, 2019, 02:04:35 am

Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: classixs on April 13, 2019, 12:36:45 pm
Been looking for walnut material myself as well, as i would love to test it out, but canīt to locate any supplier here.

Iīve generally used blasting glassbeads in my cabinet.
I find that glass does a very nice job, leaving a smooth matte surface behind.
Itīs lighter than standard blasting sand, doesnīt stretch thin sheetmetal as easily as sand has a tendency to do, while still being capable of removing quite severe layers of rust and paint if necessary.
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: Weedensteam on April 13, 2019, 12:11:31 pm
Have you checked into Soda Blasting, don't know that much about it, just remember seeing the equipment at Princess Auto, a discount tool store. From what I read it is much gentler on delicate parts.
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: Jim on April 11, 2019, 06:57:35 pm
Cheers guys, I wish I could buy small grained crushed walnut here in Oz. The only stuff available is the coarser one for cartridge tumblers.
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: SlowArrow on April 11, 2019, 12:32:20 pm
I wonder how much you could change the result by using different media: fine sand, course sand, and maybe even something like #9 birdshot.  We had a company come in and do some careful blasting of some sensitive equipment that had some degree of contamination using ice (basically a frozen mist).  It was a very mild abrasive and didn't add to the contaminated waste once it dried. 

Anyway, it worth experimenting with the different media options.
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: IndianaRog on April 11, 2019, 09:58:38 am
Jim, a genius solution...thanks for sharing.

Roger
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: St Paul Steam on April 10, 2019, 06:59:51 pm
Works right nice I reckon... for the few dollars invested.
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: Jim on April 10, 2019, 06:18:34 pm
Thanks for the video.  I've seen something like this done before, and they seem to work pretty well.  What air pressure did you run?

120psi just make sure your outside as you don't want to be breathing sand in (just the same precautions that go along with everything else we do in our workshops).
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: Jim on April 10, 2019, 06:17:14 pm
Neat idea Jim and works well - only question I would have is how long the nozzle will last as I see the commercial ones are usually ceramic.

I'd say a long time Larry.

The gun was only around the $5 mark, comes with two steel nozzles and the sand is travelling along the nozzle.
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: SlowArrow on April 10, 2019, 02:22:05 pm
Thanks for the video.  I've seen something like this done before, and they seem to work pretty well.  What air pressure did you run? 
Title: Re: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: jkbixby on April 10, 2019, 06:29:29 am
Neat idea Jim and works well - only question I would have is how long the nozzle will last as I see the commercial ones are usually ceramic.
Title: DIY Sand Blaster
Post by: Jim on April 10, 2019, 02:04:35 am
Simple to make DIY Sand Blaster


https://youtu.be/p1fN3EMSiGc