Sandblasting media

Pedr · #1 29-07-09, 19:32

Thanks Snowy,

That's really answered all my questions. This is going to be the answer to my problems. Have killed a couple of vac's already and hate having to empty and clean dust extraction system every hour.

Spoke to my ol' man ( who's a mechanical engineer specialising in designing and building special purpose machinery ) asked about using a cyclone to remove glass bead dust from my cabinet to allow reuse of media after cleaning, He said that it wouldn't be possible because material is usually blown into a cyclone ( he's been working in the mining and paper pulp industries, the first where they blow air down the drill hole to reclaim the drill castings collected at the cyclone and the second where the waste passes through the fan which allows it to be smashed into smaller pieces then blows it into the cyclone and onto a compactor bin for recycling through the pulp mill again. ) Anyway, this proves that what I was thinking about will infact work.

I like the features of the Clear Vu CV06, in that it has the sprial ramp on the dust intake, but I love the thought and design that has gone into the Oneida Dust Deputy, especially the larger unit, but the cost makes them a little prohibative and that they haven't been used on blasting media only saw dusts. After watching all of the Youtube video presentations of these cyclonic separator systems, I think that ALL vacuums should have one of these.

So, once again, thanks to Snowy for this tip.

Pedr

cantankrs · #2 30-07-09, 11:48

Hi All,

Seeing Snowy and Pedr's posts forces me to finally stop and mention Bill Pentz's hard working efforts to help guys like us save our lungs. http://billpentz.com/woodworking/Cyclone/index.cfm
I'm pretty sure he has details on how to build your own cyclone as big as you need and with the blower on the top so only 'fines' travel thru the blower.
I haven't tried building one yet but its on my list of things to do before I need it so I won't die early.

If you use his info then he sounds like a bloke worthy of a donation.
And I'm not related to the chap in any way.

Regards

Alex

Bob Carriere · #3 31-07-09, 19:59

I have installed a 5 gallon metal can with a store bought plastic cover that has a molded angled intake and outlet, which they claim, will spinf the air flow....... it collects a lot of solids...... inclusing a lot of the blasting media(aluminum oxide)........... media is so dusty fine that we discard as resuing it would just be a waste......It has prolongued the life of the shop vac to at least twice as long as before...(over a year now).... and the negative pressure of the cabinet keeps leaks to a minimum so a face mask is hardly required.

In answer to Jordan's door leaks....... get yourself a roll of winter foam rubber door sealer at CTC...... get the thin type 1/8 or 1/4 soft foam.... easily installed witht eh self adhesive backing......

I find that turning off the ceiling lamps in the shop reduces glare from the window glass and increases visibility to the inside.

To save our backs and make moving the cabinet easier we built a angle iron floor platform on casters.... raises the hand holes about 6 inches and provides a shelf for the shop vac and 5 gal. can all in one contained unit...

May actually use it this weekend to clean up a doz. or so rear shock steering ball linkages from earlier CMP......now that I bought replacement gloves....

Bob C.

George McKenzie · #4 04-08-09, 06:55

This is what my truck sleeper look's like .No dust ,no leaks .Very portable .My 27 cu ft doesn't run half the time . I use my shop vac with a long hose so I can put it outside the shop so it is quiet .and if there is dust comming out of the vac it doesn't matter as the vac is outside .

maple_leaf_eh · #5 10-08-09, 03:58

Are you sure you didn't steal that from some hospital nursery ward?

The gun community rarely sandblasts any gun parts, but they do need to vibrate and clean cartridge cases. The standard media include walnut shell pieces, corn cob pieces, apricot pit pieces and white rice. The latter surprised me, but anything that is hard surfaced and slightly textured seems to be required. Somebody lately found a supplier of hard plastic beads at his wife's craft supply store. He claims they work like a charm. I don't know how any of this is going to flow through a nozzle, but it is the thought that counts.

Cleaning regimes for cartridge case tumblers usually include some form of chemical rejuvinator and household dryer softener sheets. The mesh turns filthy and the media gets cleaner.

George McKenzie · #6 10-08-09, 04:22

When I was looking for a box to make this I stumbled into this sleeper and I can tell you there isn't one on the market that will work as good as this one.The total price was $300 which makes it even better. I can change the beads to other material by opening the bottom to clean it out .Very pleased with the results.

hrpearce · #7 25-08-09, 22:40

A couple of weeks ago my neighbour with the Dodge bought a sand blasting cabnet and complained he couldn't see into it. I printed this thread for him and he bought an extraction fan. KP always buyes the best he bought a dust extractor that collects the heavy particles for reuse. He thanks MLU for the help.