I plan to buy a blast cabinet so I can do more of the clean up work myself. I found the cabinet I want for $299, not a bad price.

I'm not sure which media to buy. The two common types available are glass beads and aluminum oxide. I think the aluminum oxide may be too coarse because that is what sand paper is made out of. I've used others' cabinets in the past and they always had media that removed paint and rust without leaving any texture on the metal itself. THAT's what I want. It may not clean as fast but it sure leaves the metal in great shape. Is that glass beads?

TIA

Rich, I've been using glass beads in my home blasting cabinet with great results. I'm sure that all blasting media have their advantages and disadvantages, but glass beads seem to be a good compromise for what my needs have been. Great for cleaning small underhood parts like brackets, bolts, washers, and even pieces such as valve covers, timing covers, etc. Leaves a nice, smooth finish. My local Harbor Freight store stocks glass beads in a box... 10 lbs I think?

Glass beads is what I use. Great results and I can purchase locally.

Rich,

I know most people don't like using silica sand any more because it's dangerous to your health. I used a fine grit silica for about 90% of my blasting needs. I always used good ventilation and a good respirator. I used glass bead for all aluminium parts Alt housing, Intake ect. and for my license plates (thin metal no rust).
The silica does not cut as course as Black Beauty or oxide so it leaves a nicer finish. Most parts I could just prime and paint or POR15 and Top Coat with a resulting smooth finish.

I only used Black Beauty once on a set of headers for my son. It cut very course and left a very rough finish. I think BB is a slag but oxide might give the same result as you suspect.

I use Dupont Star Blast. At $5 per 50lb. bag it produces some very smooth surfaces. I get it local through a distributor.

Joe

I've always used glass beads don't care for the pitting I got the silca.... one side note on cabinet placement .. find it a home away from EVERYTHING !! blasting is a mess even with a sealed filtered contained cabinet.. :eek:

I also use Dupont Star Blast in my cabinet. It's a great all around media. Can't beat the price too!


Mike

Ground glass

I have used glass beads,, a mixture of corse and fine seem to work well for general use

Sounds like your buying a Barrel Blaster.

I also use glass beads and have tried the oxide. Between the two I think glass produces the best results.
Mark

I use both at work. Glass will take care of anything you can through at it, might just take alittle longer.

Later
Steve

Another vote for glass bead here.

Rich,I use two types.The Black Beauty and glass beads...The BB is for the real rusty stuff and the glass bead for the cleaner stuff...IF your coming down for the Mid west show in Olathe Ks and are interest I can get some prices and/or pic it up for ya...I get it at a place called Sturgis Materials in KCK..

I'd like to know about that Dupont Star Blast stuff for 5$ THAT's CHEAP...

graemlins/waving.gif
Rick

Originally posted by flywheel:


I'd like to know about that Dupont Star Blast stuff for 5$ THAT's CHEAP...

graemlins/waving.gif
Rick Rick,
I buy it at a place in KC. I'll have to remember the name of the place and let you know.

Joe

aa-uh,umm Rick, that's the "ACES-Mid America" show not "Midwest"

The "Midwest" show is in St.Louis this year
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OOOOOPPPPSSSS graemlins/clonk.gif
Sorry Boss

Rick