Sand blasting scale

J

JMJones

Joined
Jul 14, 2010
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Is sand blasting a reasonable way to remove scale from forgings and billets? I have never used a sandblaster and was wondering if anyone had any experience with this. Currently I use a 7 inch angle grinder with the big cupping wheel.
 
I have, and it works pretty good. I find it easier to use the vinegar overnight method though. Effortless and no dust to deal with.

Juan
 
How does the vinegar overnight work? Does it leave the blade clean and bright, or does it leave a patina? I tried using Navel Jelly to remove rust from an old Western and it removed the rust but left the blade with a kind of gold discoloring.

Sorry for the thread drift.
 
Sandblasting really sucks! :D A blasting cabinet would be better than just sandblasting, but a large expense.You need to be set w/ a good/large compressor, and air dryer or moisture is a problem. It's messy, you track sand everywhere for months. It's in your hair,your ears and eyes, your cloths and shoes, and places we won't mention! :o Sandblasting really sucks! :D

I think grinding is the better option.

[I did body work for a lot of years, and ate a lot of sand...]

want to ad; A disk on your grinder will give you a better surface than the cup, but not quite as agressive...
 
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How deep of grind lines will a media blaster remove? I've been thinking about getting one with a bigger air compressor.
 
klug932000 said:
How deep of grind lines will a media blaster remove? I've been thinking about getting one with a bigger air compressor.
Click to expand...

Not much. You will have matte finish grind lines. The better prep you do, the better the finish will be. I think you would want to be 320 or finer...
 
Just soak the forgings in a plastic bucket of white vinegar overnight. In the morning, wash off well and scrub with a steel bristle brush. It will remove the scale and they will be ready for grinding/sanding.
 
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