Bead blasting

Leu Custom

Leu Custom

Joined
Jun 2, 2007
Messages
1,354
Okay, I got a question for you guys out there that bead blast you blades. Does a gun take more CFM if the hole is smaller or larger? I am using the aftermarket gun that looks EXACLTY like this....it comes with 4 different nozzles and i think they are different sizes (can't find the rest of the nozzles at the moment!) ARGGH. The hole is probably 1/4" or less on the gun right now.

has anyone ever used one and how much air consumption does it actually take? I bought it from some guy on ebay, but it doesn't seem to produce the even satin finish as my junky old Harborfreight gun did.

gun.jpg


What setups do you guys use? Thanks!

Pohan Leu
 
I do not bead blast my blades but have done a fair amount of sand blasting. The larger the hole the higher the neaded cfms are. I have found that at least 10 cfm is ok but around 15 or above is the best. The nozel hole will get bigger as you use the blaster so its good to have extra power. 1/4 inch is a bige hole try the smallest one you have and make sure to let your compresser build pressure first good luck.
Will
 
I'm such an idiot! My pickup tube to my blast cabinet was clogged which made it appear like the blasting gun wasn't working! LOL :D
 
Hey bud, every once in a while place your gloved thumb or finger tight over the nozzle and pull the trigger. This will cause air to go down the pickup tube and clear it. SteelShaper is correct in that the larger the hole the more cfm needed.
 
Dooooh!
A tungsten carbide nozzle ($$, but worth it) will improve your results also. Most places will recommend the correct ID based on your compressor.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I think a tungsten carbide nozzle for this particular gun is like $50.00! lol...the gun was $50.00 bucks!

RJ Martin: How do you go abouts bead blasting a chisel ground blade without messing up the edge if it has a ZERO edge on it? Can't seem to figure that one out! Then I blast, then it messes up the edge, then I buff it sharp again, but then it's taken off the blast satin finish...bah!

Ideally how many PSI should I be blasting at? Is 90 too much? My compressor is pretty ghetto ...2 HP running and not much CFM. I think like 6.4 at 90 PSI.

Thanks!
 
I think you could tape off the very edge, or grind off the dimples after. I cant help with the gun :(
 
the beadblasted zero grinds or stonewashed zero grinds I've handled all had dull edges. look at steve ryans zero grinds....the actual zero bevel is left satin even if he blasts the flats of the blade. but note that bblasted blades are mostly stainless as they increase corrosion.

I've not handled that many knives but the only blasted tool steels I've seen is Jimmy Lile's sly 1. and the edge was obviously sharpened after blasting.
 
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