Recommendations for a bead blasting setup?

[flatgrinder]

Hi,

I'm interested in a bead blasting setup and I was wondering what other makers are using out there?

Compressor?

Affordable blast cabinet?

Media? Glass beads? Grit?

I'd like to get a finish similar to what people do to titanium handles on folders (but I'll be blasting steel).

Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[TekSec]

Check Harbor Freight. Low cost setup minus the compressor. Any quick recovery pancake style will work, but the larger air storage, the better. Just remember, don't mix your blast media when you switch materials (especially between carbon steel and stainless).

 

[Leu Custom]

Save your money and get a compressor package from TP TOOLS!

http://www.tptools.com/p/1299,194_Champion-Compressor-and-Abrasive-Cabinet-Package-Specials.html

It's gonna cost you, but those Champion Air Compressors never stop working !

What you want Marcus, is something upwards of 5HP Running motor on your compressor. The cabinet (doesn't really matter that much) but you want a good gun. You want a compressor that can throw out high CFM (Cubic Feet/Minute) otherwise your pressure will drop fast and your compressor will turn on again to refill the tank and you'll be standing there all day long =)

So spend atleast $1000.00 on the compressor and the gun setup should be around $100 bucks and a harbor freight cabinet will work just fine. You just have to caulk all the seams otherwise you'll have media all over the place and get some replacement gloves from TPtools.com or ummmm otherplaces. The harbor freight gloves are horrible and will crack in no time flat. Trust me =) I've had a pair that I threw out about 6 months later. A good pair runs around $35 bucks from http://www.toolsplus1.com/blgloves.htm and GET A REALLY GOOD RESPIRATOR!!!! otherwise you'll feel it in your lungs after one session. Make sure you know the hole size from the gloves.

 

[P.K.Hansen]

I have a cheap thingy you stick in a bucket full of sand and blast away. It's okay for smaller parts and soft metal, but I doubt it's worth anything on a hardend blade - haven't tried yet though.
cost about 20$ over here, but of course you need a compressor too.