Aluminum Oxide or Black Beauty media?

[antz01ta New User Find all posts View Profile Close antz01ta]

Just built a cabinet and need to get some media, what would you all recommend.
mostly i use it for light paint, rust removal for powdercoating. aluminum and steel parts will be used in this cabinet.
i have been reading here about glass bead being bad for aluminum.

thanks

[antz01ta New User Find all posts View Profile Close antz01ta]

Re: Aluminum Oxide or Black Beauty media?

anybody?

[cdaeme Amateur Metal Finisher Find all posts View Profile Close cdaeme]

Re: Aluminum Oxide or Black Beauty media?

I use Black Beauty but mainly because of the prive difference. I can get 100 lb of BB for 10.00 compared to 24.00 for 50 lb of Alum Oxide. I have used Alum Oxide and it much more agressive than BB.

Jason

[pickleboy Metal Finishing Guru Find all posts View Profile Close pickleboy]

Re: Aluminum Oxide or Black Beauty media?

black beauty is cheap and a good all around media. if you are looking to do ceramic i would recommend the alum. oxide. either way go with a medium grit. coarse grit on either will raise a large profile that may have to be knocked down with sandpaper before powder.

[jbotti1 Amateur Metal Finisher Find all posts View Profile Close jbotti1]

Re: Aluminum Oxide or Black Beauty media?

The alum oxide would probably be cheaper in the long run because it can be recycled more than Black Beauty. It also is less dusty.
Joe

[bzer1 Experienced Metal Finisher Find all posts View Profile Close bzer1]

Re: Aluminum Oxide or Black Beauty media?

I use aluminum oxide, medium grit but will be going to a finer mesh. One thing to keep in mind is that when you use AO you will go through wearable parts on you blast cabinet at a much faster rate. I ugraded from ceramic tips to carbide tips and replace the air jet more often. Some shops also mix medium glass beed in with medium AO to lower the profile but keep the cutting power of the medium AO.

[robsrod New User Find all posts View Profile Close robsrod]

Re: Aluminum Oxide or Black Beauty media?

Use Both, prefer Aluminum Oxide. But its more expensive.