Sand blasting and protection

[Flying Torquewrench]

Elty, you must have read my mind! I was about to ask the same question. A sandblaster is still on the wish list so always looking for recommendations.

 

[elty001]

Elty, you must have read my mind! I was about to ask the same question. A sandblaster is still on the wish list so always looking for recommendations.

This is the little one i have at home which is ok at removing light surface rust/paint.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUNJULY-Abrasive-Blasting-Polishing-Processing/dp/B07X9MC9Q1

 

[solarman216]

Do not know the CFM but it was a compressor that ran a road hammer, but the engine was naff and it only had the cradle tube as a receiver, I grafted it onto a large receiver and stuck a 12 hp Kohler on it, to be honest the Kohler struggles a bit at the higher revs, I would like 90 psi for really fast blasting but get around 60 at the mo, but still shifts 40 Kg grit in an hour, my blaster can hold 60 Kg of grit, the original output assembly wore out years ago, replaced the hose with car heater stuff and the outlet valve with a common lever ball valve 15 mm, the tips are ceramic, Rick

 

[elty001]

The big blasting unit i have access to was run from an atlas copco mobile plant compressor.
To keep blasting pressure around 80 psi using a 1/4 " nozzle the compressor needed to kick out around 70 cfm.

When the contract we used it for came to and end we got rid of the compressor.
If i need to use it now i will have to hire a plant compressor to run it.

 

[solarman216]

All back together today, put the original bumper on while I refurb the winch bumper, which will start tomorrow, the OS wing while not perfect is a lot better than it was, I was thinking of knocking up a small forge in order to fabricate some bar to fit the curve of the arch, but might just use the 5 ft sq fire basket that we use for general burning

 

[solarman216]

This is my compressor, the Koler is to the left, one day when I take a head off I will measure the bore and stroke, stick the strobe on it to get the revs and work out the CFM, Rick

 

[Flying Torquewrench]

Cheers Rick and Elty. I need to have a look what cfm my compressor gives. Would like a sandblasting kit that does a bit more then just light rust/paint but not sure if my compressor is up to the job.

 

[Wallace]

I have a Clarke 3hp 14cfm compressor and that struggles with blasting on both my cabinets at 90psi using glass bead and J-Blast Superfine, twice that would be better. 240v is a bit limiting in a domestic situation.

 

[solarman216]

I tried glass bead during lock during early lockdown, thought it rubbish compared to kiln dried sand, Rick

 

[Wallace]

I tried glass bead during lock during early lockdown, thought it rubbish compared to kiln dried sand, Rick

I bet the finish was nice, I use it on aluminium mainly. Sand is more abrasive as it has sharp edges, bead is more of a finishing media and for peening the surface so not really the right media for the type of work you are doing where you want to cut through dirt and corrosion. Crushed glass is supposed to be cheap and efficient, I have not tried it though.

 

[elty001]

I bet the finish was nice, I use it on aluminium mainly. Sand is more abrasive as it has sharp edges, bead is more of a finishing media and for peening the surface so not really the right media for the type of work you are doing where you want to cut through dirt and corrosion. Crushed glass is supposed to be cheap and efficient, I have not tried it though.

Yep glass beads are for a finer finish.
Walnut shell is supposed to be good for stripping paint but never tried it myself.

 

[Wallace]

Yep glass beads are for a finer finish.
Walnut shell is supposed to be good for stripping paint but never tried it myself.

I think from what I have read Walnut Shell is like Soda, very forgiving on sheet metal and doesn't cause the friction and heat associated with other more aggressive media that warps panels. I tried an experiment on thin sheet with Glass Bead to see what damage I could do, the heat build up was quite surprising and you could see the plate flexing with the heat so I'm careful with blasting tinware.

The cost of media has stopped me trying different types. I went over to J-Blast Superfine on a recommendation as it was cheaper at the time than Aluminium Oxide, it's supposed to be a one use media but has been working well for me in a cabinet with dust filtration.

 

[solarman216]

Bit rusty, my job today clean it up

 

[solarman216]

Bit cleaner now, the front was worse but pic failed too dark and forgot flash

 

[solarman216]

Front with a coat of paint to stop flash rusting

 

[solarman216]

Got a sheet of this so going to clad the front with it

 

[solarman216]

This is how it will be fitted, got a mate with a bending machine, last time I pop riveted it at the bottom but mud tore the rivets off, more of that as it progresses, Rick

 

[Wallace]

Is the main bumper I section RSJ? Looks sturdy.

 

[solarman216]

Is the main bumper I section RSJ? Looks sturdy.

It is, 81 kg total plus the winch, just the job for nosing up to a tree for winching, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Winch bumper finished and back on, felt naked driving about without it, sorry no pics of the SS fitting just too engrossed in the work, it was quite hard as hands not as strong as they were, with the winch it is a shade over 100 kg, now discovered some rust on the rear cross member near the tow bar so this will need looking at, will update as and when, Rick