Bead Blasting vs Sand Blasting

[Guinny_Ire]

Here's my question. My friend has a compressor and a sand blaster. [oh and assume I don't know anything as I can assure you I don't]. To bring the parts to white can I use his sand blaster or should I consider buying a bead blaster. Besides the obvious that beads are recoverable sand is not are there any other advantages/disadvantages etc. I've got 3 gun kits (1919 and 2 Imbels) so I'll be busy this year. Thanks

[Pa.Patriot]

Sand goes bye-bye, but if your only doing a few kits... so what? Sand is cheap.
A blast cabinet is the way to go for volume refinishing because you recycle the media. 100-150 grit Aluminum oxide is the prefered media for parkerizing prep, not glassbead (too smooth)

HTH

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[Guinny_Ire]

More questions then:
What kind of sand or does it matter?
You wouldn't sandblast the bore would you? [I would think it would damage it]
Is there a speed setting or a recommended nozzle control [is there any regulation of flow needed?]

Anything else you'd think I ought to know. Thanks

[dmk0210]

Pa.Patriot, you're saying sand can be used in place of Alum. Oxide, but with a shorter useful life?

[Pa.Patriot]

Yes, sand can be used. Must be extra fine. Sand has shorter useful life because it is not recommended for use in a cabinet due to the free silica released when it breaks down (cancer causing stuff)
Best to only use outside and with a respirator.

the bore of a firearm would of course be plugged prior to blasting and parkerizing.

Air pressure/nozzle size are depenant on equipment used, media used and desired texture. Some experimentation is needed.
100+ grit alox at 80-90 PSI is a good general purpose combo.

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Pa. Patriot
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[dmk0210]

it is not recommended for use in a cabinet due to the free silica released when it breaks down (cancer causing stuff) Yea, that's right. I remember reading that somewhere now. I don't think I'll take a chance with it just to save a couple bucks.


PA Patriot, while we've got your ear on this topic, and Guinny_Ire might be interesting in this too, how do you control moisture?

I've got one of those glass bowl water seperators on my compressor(it doesn't seem to do anything at all though) and religiously drain the water out of the tank, but sometimes I notice some mist when I'm using the cabinet for a while and the media starts to clump up if I continue. I don't even attempt to use it on a rainy day.

[Pa.Patriot]

Dave, I use a drier at the compressor and a small one at the cabinet.
MOST of the condensation occurs in the hose, not the tank.
If you put it at the cabinet (or tool) and it still does not collect any water then your separator is defective or you live in the desert :)

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Regards,
Pa. Patriot
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FAL services, special pricing for GunsNet members:
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[Guinny_Ire]

Saweet. I know nothing on this stuff but am very interested in learning.

[Pa.Patriot]

That's what it's all about, Guinny. Learning :)

If you need any help just ask. :D

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Regards,
Pa. Patriot
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FAL services, special pricing for GunsNet members:
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[RetVet]

Nothing to ask that hasn't been or usefull to add as I'm a rookie when it comes to this building business. Just more lurking and gathering of information.:lurking: :)

[dmk0210]

Originally posted by Pa.Patriot
Dave, I use a drier at the compressor and a small one at the cabinet.
MOST of the condensation occurs in the hose, not the tank.
If you put it at the cabinet (or tool) and it still does not collect any water then your separator is defective or you live in the desert :)
Ah, good thinking! I'll bet the hose is my problem. I'll move that dryer to the side of the cabinet.

Thanks!:up: