Farmall Cub

What type of media do you guys use in your blasters? I have been using what came with my blaster from TP Tools, but at $30.00 for a 50 pound box it is getting expensive. TSC has Black Bull but it is about the same price. I see Black Diamond at TSC for $7.99 for 50 pound but that is a coal slag. Anyone else try this stuff and how did it hold up?

Can't help you but wanted to make sure you are aware of the dangers of silica dust (you can Google it). If you don't have a dust collection system be careful what you breathe in and wear a mask or other protection.

I definitely don't want silica, in fact I believe my blaster even says not to use it.

We sold black diamond where I worked in 100# bags for about $10. I tried it in my blast cabinet and all I could see was black dust. It worked great outside, it's real sharp and cuts fast, but too much dust for a cabinet in my opinion. Regular white silica sand worked good in my cabinet, I could actually see what I was working on. And yes, breathing the dust from this stuff is a real danger.

I use TONS of the black diamond but outside in the pressure blaster, works great for nasty rust, not meant for cabinets
Tim

Bill,

I don't have a cabinet of my own, but have used a large blast cabinet many times in the past. The media that worked best for me was glass beads. They are expensive to buy, but my experience has been that they last longer than sand or the black diamond types of media. They work well on paint and rust, and don't produce nearly as much dust as the others. You still need breathing protection, though. Glass is silica.

I use Black Diamond, but am not impressed with it. Breaks down, quite rapidly, in a cabinet. I'm thinking of other options, but they are all expensive.
Ed

I do use silica for outdoor work, but as has been stated, the dust is a carcinogen, so I am real careful with it. Only blast when there is a breeze to carry dust away, and I have a MSHA respirator that I was issued for doing phone work in some of the lead mining operations.

Maybe I need to rephrase my question. What type of media do you guys recommend in a blast cabinet? This media will be used in a blast cabinet and not outdoors and I will not use any type of silica.

I don't know the cost, but walnut shells are an option.

I've tried several types of media in my cabinet. The best type depends a lot on what being blasted. The Black Diamond media, from TSC works pretty good for general rust removal on parts to be painted, it's very aggressive and coarser than I like, but really cuts. For blasting softer metals, such as aluminum or brass, I prefer 80 grit glass bead. It's gentle and leaves a nice satin finish. The problem is, it's expensive and I can't find a local source. I could order from TP Tools but shipping is crazy high on 50# bags. I've used aluminum oxide, it's a little more aggressive than glass but turns to dust quickly, just don't last long. I'm pretty low on media, right now, and I'm not sure what I'm going to go with.

According to the bags and their web site, the Black Diamond at TSC is available in several different grits. They may be able to special order what they don't normally stock.

Here is a pretty good read on blast media, if you have a couple of minutes.

http://www.mediablastauto.com/faq-lets-talk-abrasive.asp

Don McCombs wrote:According to the bags and their web site, the Black Diamond at TSC is available in several different grits. They may be able to special order what they don't normally stock.

Don, I am thinking of using the Black Diamond 40/80 which is finer for sheet metal. The 20/40 would probably be best for heavier stuff like the steps and receivers. The problem is that it breaks down so quickly after two or three cycles. But at $8.00 a bag it's worth the shot.

Barnyard wrote:

Don McCombs wrote:According to the bags and their web site, the Black Diamond at TSC is available in several different grits. They may be able to special order what they don't normally stock.

Don, I am thinking of using the Black Diamond 40/80 which is finer for sheet metal. The 20/40 would probably be best for heavier stuff like the steps and receivers. The problem is that it breaks down so quickly after two or three cycles. But at $8.00 a bag it's worth the shot.

I've been using the finer Black Diamond. Works ok, for paint, and light rust. Heavy rust, like old implements, don't clean up well, with it.It breaks down , fairly fast. I'd love to be near TP tools. Shipping on the abrasives, is a killer. Dust isn't a big problem in my cabinet, since I have a 1/4 hp, clothes dryer blower, for exhaust. Not a visibility issue, but a "doesn't work anymore" issue.
Ed