blasting materials
 

I recently bought a blasting cabinet, what would you guys suggest i use to clean my heads etc. glass beads maybe? what size?

brian

Brian-
I use a medium grit glass bead. This is aggressive enough to work without being likely to quickly damage stuff. Be sure to wear a respirator when you use the cabinet, particularly with anything that is cadmium plated. Also, I strongly suggest that you blast outdoors. It makes a mess!
-Scott

Yes, glass beads. Eastwood sells 70-100 grit for this purpose. They recommend no more than 60 psi pressure.

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1313&itemType=CATEGORY&path=1%2C2% 2C1310&KickerID=243&KICKER

Blasting media comes on all sorts of forms depending on function, cost, environmental conditions and more. It can vary from glass beads to nut shells to lead or steel shot, to solid CO2 and much more. The important issue is to match the media, technique and subject part to achieve the desired result.

I won’t claim to be an expert but over the years I’ve done a lot of this. This would be a good thread to review all the media, techniques, etc.

The four areas I am sort of familiar with are:

Stripping of some prior finish.
Cleaning of dirt, baked-on grease and corrosion.
Preparation for a surface finish (plating or painting), this is different from above.
Stress relief (connecting rods).

How about some expert input. :)

Best,
Grady

What would you use to do fuchs?

im trying to remove old paint for new paint on some parts and powdercoating on others.

I think blasting is a hoot. I'm no expert, but I get a real kick out of doing it.

It depends on what you are doing to the Fuchs. Are you blasting off anodising or paint and do you want to achieve a finished product from the bead blaster.

Be careful, go slow. Try to use the least abrasive beads that will still get the job done.

I've use glass beads on everything, the only thing is varying pressure and using all sorts of glass beads and combinations.

Good Luck.have you done a search yet?

FWIW - I've purchased from these guys and have had good service.

http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/contact-us.htm

Their site is informative regarding what products are available (I didn't know that people blasted with walnut shells!!).

Also you can give them a call and talk to them about your application. I did and the fellow there gave me plenty of information on various materials and eventually recommended that I go with "fine" glass beads for what I typically need to do which is remove old paint and light corrosion from mostly aluminum parts.