first experiences of sandblasting

[douchecalamondaes]

so I got a pressure style sandblaster, over dried the kiln dried sand so it was actually dry. respirator,

the damn thing will not fed correctly, either too much or nothing, as if its clogging in the tank. this mixed with the mess, and possibility of death from lung disease, and i'm about ready to give up on the whole thing and go back to wire wheels,

 

[rtbcomp]

They do work, probably you're not driving it correctly.

Set the pressure to about 90 psi
Make sure the pot is full

Start with all valves closed.
Open the nozzle valve fully
Open the bypass valve fully
Open the top valve fully

At this point you'll get air coming from the nozzle.

Open the bottom valve a small step at a time until the media stream is just visible, allow about 10 seconds for the stream to stabilise after each adjustment.

Only use the nozzle valve to stop/start the stream temporarily, it must be either fully open or shut.

If you want to sell it, put it in the "Used Workshop Equipment" section with a fixed price.

 

[Parm]

Oh and once you've got it all working don't use sand if you value your lungs and don't want to be affected by the industrial disease Silicosis, even if you are using a respirator

 

[Maxakarudy]

They are all very frustrating, I've Hodge Clemco machine, guaging the flow is an art, plus sieving the sand for large debris is essential and make sure your air is dry too.

 

[123hotchef]

what size compressor r u using how are you drying your air?

 

[douchecalamondaes]

oven and twin water traps

 

[123hotchef]

what size compressor r u using how r u drying ur air in the oven never seen that done before

 

[anto]

Oh and once you've got it all working don't use sand if you value your lungs and don't want to be affected by the industrial disease Silicosis, even if you are using a respirator

Does a decent face mask not filter out enough of the material that causes silicosis?

 

[123hotchef]

cant you do it in the garden or in a pop up tent sand is good for the grass

 

[anto]

Maybe...

But, for days after blasting (or possibly weeks/months if you do it in a garage say) every time you move anything that dust is going to get kicked up.

Given the alternatives, is it really worth it?

Fair point.
If using kiln dried sand as the blast media is so harmful are the alternatives much more expensive and thus the reason people opt for the sand?

 

[Parm]

Maybe...

But, for days after blasting (or possibly weeks/months if you do it in a garage say) every time you move anything that dust is going to get kicked up.

Given the alternatives, is it really worth it?

Good answer !!!

 

[Maxakarudy]

And remember, don't go down to the beach when the wind is blowing