Sandblasting small parts

[Lynn Eades]

I note that you like to play with the "edit reason" as well.
Was it a major invasion, or just a minor one?
By the way, if your going to clean up a rusty carrier that way, then you would be 100% right. You would be doing it ALL the time.

[Snowy]

Uhh just a minor invasion, thank you for asking

Yes as you've pointed out, rotary wire brushing is slow, I should have mentioned that. I've been doing my Weasel hull with it and it is indeed taking a while. I just do a square metre or two and then prime it. But for small items it's quite a reasonable sandblasting substitute which leaves the brushed surface nice and polished without pitting, and for thin panels there's no heat distortion.

Steve.

[cantankrs]

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

...came across one of those wire brush units that mounts in place of a grinding stone on a bench grinder. I picked up a 6 inch wheel and will try that out. That will force me to finally mount the bench grinder with bolts on the bench rather that chase after it on the bench top.

Hi Stuart,

Bench grinders are handy but for heavy work you need a unit with enough power, otherwise the motor just wants to slow and stall - not good for it. I've managed to get 3 phase so I'll get a 3 phase one someday as crikey they can remove metal with a grinding wheel! ..And I know what you mean about chasing them around the bench!

Regards

Alex

[Bob Carriere]

....when do you start production...?

Boob

[Jordan Baker]

Those look really good. Ive used the wire wheel a lot on my carrier restoration. Since getting the Princess Auto sandblasting cabinet Ive been going back and redoing a lot of the smaller bits. One thing ive noticed is how much rust has "grown" back and how easy the paint comes off from parts that had been wire wheeled.

I much preferd sandblasting now as I find it also gives a great surface for the primer/paint to adhere.

As for you pictures I initialy thought they were PIAT bombs. Boy was I disapointed to see they were Iltis parts.

[REL]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

Those look really good. Ive used the wire wheel a lot on my carrier restoration. Since getting the Princess Auto sandblasting cabinet Ive been going back and redoing a lot of the smaller bits. One thing ive noticed is how much rust has "grown" back and how easy the paint comes off from parts that had been wire wheeled.

I much preferd sandblasting now as I find it also gives a great surface for the primer/paint to adhere.

As for you pictures I initialy thought they were PIAT bombs. Boy was I disapointed to see they were Iltis parts.

If you parkerize or phosphate the parts first after blasting, paint will adhere far better than on any other preparation.

[Mike K]

If you have the time, you can make your own cabinet out of plywood . There are plans on the web , just do a GOOGLE .

here's one http://jetbeetle.com/JB_body_sandblaster.htm

and

http://www.autodidactics.com/sand.htm



I wouldn't use plain sand as a media, far better to buy some of the proper stuff , there are so many types . Maybe worth asking your local blaster what he uses and where to buy it . Some of the media types are coarse, which means a rough finish, lots of primer required to smooth it out . Baking soda is great for carbies http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-o.../soda_blaster/

The cabinet method is by far the best way to go.

I've been told its possible to convert a normal 6 cy. auto engine to a compressor .... run it on 4 cyls. and make up a manifold for the other 2 cyls to compress the air ?

I've also thought of making up a battery of 4 stainless steel LPG auto gas tanks into a receiver ... the more air you have the better .... there are many out of date tanks around for free . If you locate them away from your shed and wrap chains around them .. if one blows it won't fly off like a missile .. even bury them in the ground ! The danger is more from flying tanks rather than shrapnel . Use a long hose to your cabinet

I'vetried the outdoor blasting very noisy and messy ..don't bother .
Mike