got new compressor-what blasting media to use?

[grommit]

hello again guys,
i went to borrow some tools off a friend and there it was a Rockford powertask 3HP 50ltr 125psi compressor complete with spray gun etc.as i know he is going through a rough patch with his finances i asked about the chance to buy it... he nearly ripped my hand off....now i've heard a lot about different blasting media, black magic etc. please can you guys advise on a few of the best to practice with and good on the wallet.it has took me a few weeks to collect the kit, but the big one still eludes me the oven......i bought a battered blasting booth but at least it does the job.
many thanks
Grommit

[jtagger19]

120 grit aluminum oxide or black beauty (AKA slag)
I mostly use black beauty cuz it's cheap and works good
silica sand or play sand works good too but create a huge dust cloud inside the cabinet and have you'll to wait for it to settle or gets pull by the vacum if you have one.

[JTW37]

Try to stay away from Silica and especially Play Sand. Very hazardous to your health. Can and does cause a lung disease called Silicosis. Go with Black Magic or some other media. Also try blasting at an angle instead of straight on your part. Works good and don't embed it in your item. These things, I've learned from these fine people on this forum.

see this web site for more info: http://www.silicosisfyi.com/

[bzer1]

I would say that Aluminum oxide should not be your first choice. I use it but have spent the extra money to upgrade my cabinet in order to use the AO. Although it wasn't a hardship to buy the parts for me...it might have an effect on a low budget. In your position I would go with black magic or similar. It works very well and is inexpensive.

[Skuce]

What do you mean "upgrade the cabinet" to be able to run AO? details?

[grommit]

hey you guys! thx so much for the advice, i've been off line doin up my new work shop....at work....electric bill...what bill!! its goin to be a struggle now for an oven but i will keep searchin and saving.
can you guys give me a link to 'black magic' so i can learn on it and see what it looks like..not goin to do a google search.my new compressor is workin a treat even if it is used to try and get as much dust etc out of the place as possible.got the blasting gun and PC gun etc. no point unless i have the oven.crawl b4 i walk n all that.
cheers again.
grommit

[JTW37]

Try your local hardware Store or Lumber Yard. One of those will have some. If you have an ACE Hardware, that's where I got my first sample. Get the medium grade to try out. I use a lot of Black Magic or Black Magnum. It's called both names and maybe some others. It's coal slag.

[bzer1]

Originally Posted by Skuce

What do you mean "upgrade the cabinet" to be able to run AO? details?

When you buy a cabinet they give you some ceramic nozzles and low grade metal air valves. These are fine for sand, black beauty/Magic, glass bead and other media. When you get into aluminum oxide, and some of the harder carbides you will wear down the ceramic nozzles very quickly. In order to use AO and harder media, you will need to get a carbide nozzle and air valves at the least. I got the nozzles, air valves and gun. I tried the ceramic nozzles and went through 3 in about 3 hours of blasting with silicon carbide media. AO will not wear them down quite as fast but still the rate was unacceptable so I spent about $100 and upgraded to the heavy duty parts. I also bought a new pickup tube because it will also wear more quickly when using the harder media. I have been using the same carbide nozzle for about a year now and will be replacing it in about a month. I stopped using glass bead in the cabinet completely, and only use AO and occasionally silicon carbide. I just prefer the finish and it creates less dust and lasts alot longer than the softer medias. In the long run however I think the cost will even out with the cheaper media. So no cost savings there but like I said...I just prefer the finish and lower dust accumulation.