Cheap home sand or media blasting

[Loweguy]

Hi all

I would appreciate some input on inexpensive home blasting options. I cannot afford much of an investment, and have been looking at some of the home made designs but also like the idea of the Harbor Frieght gravity feed gun.

Any suggestions on alternatives or on these options would really be helpful. Our new to us kart needs to have the frame blasted and I really want to be able to do it working with my daughter. I have a 30 gallon compressor already.

Thank you in advance for any help you offer.

Mike

 

[mckutzy]

I have one of those gravity blasters, works alright, I mainly used soda, but play sand worked for me...

Need to use a proper sandblasted hood or safety goggles, a face shield , dust mask
and heavy duty gloves...
For more involved work, get a cabinet or farmed out...

 

[Poboy kartman]

Me too....check out 'Black Diamond' blasting media at Northern Tool....

 

[ML-TOYS]

I have used the walnut shells from harbor freight.

 

[mckutzy]

Walnut shell is good stuff, fo more delicate stuff, but I think expensive.

 

[ML-TOYS]

Walnut shell is good stuff, fo more delicate stuff, but I think expensive.

The funny part is the guy in the store is telling me its better for the environment cause it can be washed away.
What he stupidy did not know is that there will be rust and paint mixed in with it. Duhhhhh !

 

[DirtyDamage]

I don't know if you could use it, but when I get new bedding for my reptiles, I normally get ground up walnut shells, because it's cheap and works well, wonder if it would work for blasting, just little walnut pellets lol

 

[Loweguy]

I went to Harbor Freight yesterday and cleaned up. I got a 50ft hose and instead of the gravity feed gun I bought the next better one that is a suction style. I stopped by Lowes and picked up 50 lb of play sand for $3.79 also. The sand was very damp, so our first attempt failed but I dried a bunch of the sand overnight so I expect different results today. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Do you not have a Northern Tool near you? The Black Diamond blasting media I mentioned is less than $10 for a 50lb. bag.....and it's low in silica and made for blasting...

 

[Loweguy]

I do not. The play sand did not work well, and I bought glass media and it didn't really work well either. I do not have an in line water filter so I assume that must be the problem. I ended up wire brushing (on my drill) the roll bar to keep the project moving forward as I ran out of patience with blasting for today.

Maybe I'll order from Northern Tool. I love their products just don't have one near me.

 

[supermanotorious]

I'm bringing this one up because of the fundamental issue not covered. Cabinet cabinet cabinet?!?!?!?!?!? I have a soda blaster and a HF media blaster but to use either at home is a huge freakin mess. Has anyone made their own blasting cabinet large enough for....say a motorcycle frame?