Sand Blasters

We use aluminium oxide, but you can get copper slag which is rougher than a bear's arse for rapid removal. You do need a lot of air though.

Steve

Yes, though it was more than that paid.....

OK that doesn't sound too bad

Yes

No. Well, you can, but it's very messy and you will have to sieve it and make sure it's kept dry. Pretty difficult to recycle I found.

Aluminium oxide as Steve says is commonly available though VERY expensive at least in the quantities we buy it in (one 20Kg bag is probably about =A31 a KG, may be off there since haven't bought any for about a year)

YES! You need a lot of air for a decent blaster. Ones that claim they need less have tiny nozzles and clear tiny areas at a time - picture yourself going over your sheet metal 2 or 3 mm at a time and you'll get the picture. I use one with a 3HP/150L compressor and it's only just useable - I need more reciever and ideally a bigger motor.

Be very carefull about buying - cost of the blaster will fall into insignificance compared to the costs of running it, you will need a good blast hat as well which will probably start at thirty quid upwards, good gloves etc. You'll need to be sure you can get spare nozzles for your eBay special and make sure you have a dryer somewhere in your airline that works otherwise the moisture clogs the valves and you have to stop every five minutes and unclog bits of it. Not pleasant.

If you have a big compressor and can find grit reasonably priced locally then go for it, otherwise I wouldn't advise it. Cheap sandblasters were discussed here fairly recently I recall.

Regards

William MacLeod