Any of you guys out there know the difference between the equipment used for soda blasting and the equipment for sand blasting. I've been looking at the soda blasting equipment a little bit lately, and by the pictures on the web sites they don't look much more complicated than a regular "pressure pot" type sand blaster. I have some small electrical parts I'd like to blast but sand is out of the question, soda might be the ticket. If there is any one out there that has a bonafide soda blaster or has access to one, I (and others I'm sure) would love to get some info on the specific particulars that make it tick. Any info would be great. Max

I believe the equipment is almost identical. If anything the soda stuff may be alittle weaker because it is less abrasive then sand. The media flow control valve maybe be different.

Later
Steve

I used my cheap Sears sandblast gun to shoot baking soda when I blasted my alum intake. I just stuck the end of the feed hose in a large box of Arm & Hammer and let 'er rip. Worked fine. I'd think for small electrical parts the same deal would work.

Thanks Guys, I'll load the soda in the blaster and try it, in the mean time if anyone comes in that knows the real specifics of the two different systems please share what you know. Max

I was just talking to a person with a soda blasting company. The big difference is the metering system and they also inject water with the soda . He said if you use a sandblaster way to much soda will come out. I think the water is used to cut down on the dust. He blasts cars outside. I guess the system used a large volume of air ( he uses a 50 hp diesel powered compressor. I belive there are a few companies selling the small soda blasters but they are fairly expensive at around 1700 dollars.

Beadblaster, Thanks a million for the help.Your info. on the metering of the soda makes alot of sense. I'll play around with a throttling valve, probably start with a ball valve just barely cracked. I have the air compressor part handled, last Fall I bought a large engine driven Ingersol-Rand trailer mounted unit that was used to run jack hammers on constuction sites. As far as the $1700 price tags go, I know, I've been looking at a few different models.The units for $1700 are the entry level units for blasting anything larger that a carburetor. $1700 just seems to be alot of money for a tank, a couple of gages, valves and some fancy (yet very attractive) stickers.
Any specific info. from anyone in the know would be great.