need a Bead Blast Guru's help

R

RobertHankins

Joined
Jun 10, 2001
Messages
1,385
Well I finally got my Bench top bead blaster set up going. I had been farming out that operation untill now. I am really a novice at this so bear with the questions and try not to laugh. Using Glass bead on S30V is like shooting a BB gun at the moon no effect. It barely worked on 5160.
How much pressure at the gun?
What should I be using to get a good matte finish?
With ceramic tips which should I use? There are four sizes...
I am finishing down to 400 grit before BB if that helps.
Who makes a really good Media???
Where can I get it?

There you see just a few questions:D
 
Robert,
I know your pain :)

Several questions for you - how big is your compressor? What scfm and psi can you maintain? What grit is the bead? Are you trying to cut the surface in prep for a coating or just dulling it?

When you initially start with fresh glass bead it takes a few cycles thru the system to break it up before it starts cutting. Try it on annealed steel and see if it cuts it.


I shoot ceramic bead using an 8 hp, 80 gal compressor with 16 scfm @ 120 psi. S30V is tough to blast and S90V is really tough to blast.
With glass bead it is considerably easier than the ceramic but the finish is not as nice.
 
Kit,
Side of the Glass bead box says 80grit.
I am running a 6hp W/6.6 CFM @ 90psi and 8.4CFM @ 40psi.
I am trying to do a even Satin matte finish.
Seemed to work fairly well on 5160 got to the S30V and it just sits there laughing at me.

This is new grit, but it has been run several hours now.
Thanks for the help!
 
Robert, go ahead and buy the Zirblast ceramic beads Kit mentioned. I know it's expensive but the time it saves and the finish it leaves is well worth the extra cost. Kit recommended it to me and I bought some and have never regretted it.
 
Robert,
Sounds like you have enough volume and psi.
The problem with glass, AO, and similiar media is that they "cut" the surface. That's good if you plan to powder coat, but if that is the final finish it's gonna rust like hell.
The ceramic bead "peens" the finish but it's not very aggressive. On S90V I have shot it with glass bead then went back and shot it with ceramic and got a nice finish, similiar to what Raymond did. Keep experimenting with it.
Note of caution - Look for some Mylar shields to go inside inder the clear lens. All the bead finishes will frost the glass/plexiglass in short order. MSC and Cyclone both carry them.
 
Robert, if you decide not to go with Kits idea, add some #150AO to the glass beads, use a 1 gallon milk container to mix it up. Coincidently, a 1 gallon jug holds about 10 pounds of media, about the right amount for one of those cabinets. The last stuff I got, was at Arizona Abrasives, right there in Phoenix. The glass beads I use are #BT8. You might mix up several containers varying the mixture, for different shades. A slightly smaller blast tip, especially if you are using a marginal compressor, can really help. De Vilbis air fittings are also a real help, no restrictions, like most have. You can get those at auto paint supply stores in Phoenix.
The above works for me, and I am using a Quincy 31/2HP compressor, but my CFM is the same as yours. Good luck. :)
 
I will be doing S30V, S5 and 5160. The S5 and 5160 will be getting a coating, S30V will stay as finished.
Michael,
What grit, (Size in microns or inches) on the Zirblast???
I am not looking for that super smooth bead blast finish like on nice folders Etc. Just a little better than a user grade finish will work as these are to be field use blades.
They also need to be able to be done in relatively short order and still look nice.
 
I'm not sure what grit they are Robert, Kit can tell you. I know it doesn't take long at all to blast a blade even with my hobby size compressor.
 
I also went thru the same problems early on with bead blasting. I couldnt get enough pressure to do a decent job and when I did I had to enlarge the exhaust port to accomodate the extra pressure. I ended up getting a bigger ceramic tip because I couldnt get enough media thru and it took forever. When I got the bigger ceramic tip it helped but the results were still lacking and I ran into other problems like the media being blown out the top seal and the latches not holding the top down correctly.At the time I was using a 20 gallon compressor and that would only provide about 2-3 minutes of pressure good enough to blast with and then you had to wait to let the air tank build up pressure before you continued. I eventually went with the large industrial size bead blaster that Kit has and love it. You do need room for this unit, because its not small and ran about $800.00. I also upgraded this year to a 60 gallon air compressor @150 p.s.i. and that made a world of difference too. I now dont have to wait for it to pump up anymore because I usually only do 2 knives at a time. I have been using the ceramic bead too, Kit recommended that early on and all I can say is that I wont use any thing else for my Blades. Be careful using AO and glass on your blades. I did try that and it looked great with the darker finish but rust spoted rather quickly and I had to redue it a few weeks later. Here is the info for the ceramic beads if anyones interested. Last time I ordered it (was a while ago) it ran about $170.00 delivered for 25 kilos.

Fusco Abrasives in L.A.
1-800-899-3872
Zirblast SEPR B60 ceramic
size .25mm - .125mm

I talked to either Sam or Sean
 
Let me add that the initial price for the ceramic bead seems pretty steep, but it comes in a 28 kilo can and will last MikeO and I about 6-8 months. Where glass bead lasts about 2 cycles before it breaks up, the ceramic will last 15-20 times and there is little to no dust in the cabinet.
 
Jim,
You hit it right on the mark.
Kit, Michael,
I would like to get some of the Zirblast but at $170 a pail is out of my price range right now, at least for the next month or two.
I do take your advise on good faith and as soon as I can swing it will get some.
Just have to make do with what I can scrounge around this valley for the time being.
Thanks for your help:D
I will get back with you guys after I get some of the Zirblast. There are half a dozen Abrasives suppliers here and only one can get it. No one even carries Ceramic media only Glass, Garnet, sand or AO.
 
My ceramic beads have been in my cabinet now for 3+ years. I do this as a hobby and dont make as many knives as Kit and Mike but I would guess that I have ran 60+ knives thru the ceramic beads and theres plenty left. This is only for comparison purposes with Kits. The big thing for me is media loss when you switch medias and some leakage thru the seals when the cabinet is opened and closed. I also shared my media in the beginning and gave about a 1/3 of it away to another maker to try, so it does last a while.
 
Just wanted to say thanks to all for your advice!
I was able to wrangle a sample out of those folks. Tried it and Whoolahh just as if I knew what I was doing.
Finish looks far more professional and even.
Now I just need to decide if we go to the grocery store or I get new Ceramic Beads
:D
When you get ready to buy more Email me, maybe we can split a pail.
Anybody want to buy a Knife or two?
Take care guys.
Robert
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top