Sand blasting... Dirty nasty sand blasting...

[Rick]

Earlier this week I bought a 40lb pressure blaster from Harbor Freight. I should have got their 90lb unit. This thing burns through sand very quick. Having to stop and refill all the time really slows down the work. It really does an excellent job of blasting away anything in it's path, in fact I should have done the whole engine compartment of the Dart this way. Live and learn

For media I'm using Sakrete play sand. It's washed and screened, but still creates tons of dust. Right now all I have for a hood is a super cheap thing that came with the blaster. I need to get a much better hood before I continue. Behind the hood I'm using a 3M respirator.

If anyone has any sand blasting tips to share I'd like to hear them.

 

[JDraper]

Tip #1...DO NOT EXPOSE YOUR SKIN TO A DIRECT SHOT FROM THE SANDBLASTER... been there, done that.. Had blood oozing out of my arm for a couple days, and picking sand particles out of raw flesh ain't fun....

Also, since you're doing open blasting, you might want to consider buying a good floor fan and place it behind you while blasting. It'll help keep the dust away from you. I have a high velocity 30" diameter fan that does the job nicely.

Also, pre-heat your sand. We do a ton of media blasting at work using silica sand, and it works much better if the sand is kept at about 150° before use. That keeps the moisture out so there's less clumping and smoother flow.

You may also want to consider a different media. I don't know if you have any Tractor Supply stores around you, but they carry media specifically for sandblasting (in various grits) that works better than straight sand.

 

[ghoster]

i was looking to get one awhile back and got alot of info here
http://www.sandblastinginfo.com/15/understanding-about-the-popular-sandblast-mask/
that might help you out

 

[Rick]

Thanks for the tips

 

[Turdle]

DO NOT USE SAND!!!!!
READ UP ON THIS PLEASE!!!
Right on every bag of sand it has a caution label warning against using it for blasting---this is serious stuff--

using sand causes silicosis--you must have a respirator with air supply at least 50 ft from the blasting site to even consider using sand--

get a blasting media-some are the same price as sand-for instance, black beauty is around 10 bux for 100 lbs
Also, try "coal slag"

 

[Turdle]

I called a nearby supplier-they sold me this stuff-"great for sandblasting"they said.
Who would have thought? I was getting ready to load some in my cabinet when I saw the label.


IMPORTANT NOTE: SILICA SAND SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR SANDBLASTING AS IT WILL CAUSE SILICOSIS; A SERIOUS DISEASE OF THE LUNGS. NEVER USE SILICA IN A BLAST CABINET. THIS WILL INCREASE YOUR EXPOSURE TO FREE SILICA. FREE SILICA CANNOT BE FILTERED OUT BY USING A RESPIRATOR AND SHOULD NEVER BE USED UNLESS USING AN AIR SUPPLIED HELMUT IN AN OUTDOOR AREA WITH GOOD VENTILATION. SILICA SAND BLASTING IS KNOWN TO CAUSE SILICOSIS AND IS LISTED AS A CLASS "A" CARCINOGEN. GET EDUCATED ABOUT SILICOSIS BEFORE ENGAGING IN SANDBLASTING ACTIVITIES.

OSHA SHOULD BE CONTACTED IF YOUR EMPLOYER IS USING SILICA SAND IN A BLAST CABINET OR OTHER EQUIPMENT WITHOUT PROPER AIR QUALITY TESTING, SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND EMPLOYEE EDUCATION ABOUT SILICOSIS.

 

[ghoster]

wow i would be pretty pissed at the supplier!
Luckly you noticed it before putting it in the cabinet

 

[Turdle]

Yeah-
How often do I read the labels anyway

I would never have thought it was a problem.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What does the other stuff look like that is safe, and who sells it?

 

[ghoster]

Yeah-
How often do I read the labels anyway

I would never have thought it was a problem.

i know...i hardly read the labels, only when i'm really bored and have nothing better to do lol

 

[Turdle]

What does the other stuff look like that is safe, and who sells it?

http://www.optaminerals.com/blackblast_coal_slag.html

Black beauty is available at some lumber yards. It will cut real good, and very clean.