Home Bench Media Blasting.

[Jim H]

Good morning folks,

I’ve just read the other thread, mine is on a smaller scale. I’m going to be restoring my vintage Atco lawnmower over the winter months. I have someone lined up who can blast parts, however I’m wondering is this something that could be done myself.

Are these cabinets you see advertised up to the job? Any recommendations? Would I have to also purchase a compressor or can you buy complete set ups? Also what is the best media for paint / rust removal from steel etc?

Any advice will be gladly received.

[sasquar]

My 2p....

Honestly, dont bother if youve anything more than spark plugs to clean up.

A proper gritblast cabinet is pressure fed, not suction, uses a LOAD of air, and media about 5 times the size of the stuff that you can run in the little hobby cabinets.

Youll spend a decent chunk of money, on something that is incredibly slow to use, and very frustrating, been there done that.

These days, im lucky enough to have access to a full sized proper cabinet at work, since then, my little cabinet has just gathered dust....

[TGCOTF-dewey]

I bought a gun for my compressor - can't remember the size my compressor but it's a decent machine.

No where near enough oomph to run it. I wouldn't bother either...you need a very large compressor to run one.

Take the bits to a specialist.

[Jim H]

Thanks fellas,

I had a sneaky feeling this would be the advice I need. I don’t want to be shelling out a lot of cash equipment that would provide poor results.

Equally a rig like that with compressor, would take up a bit of space.

[JoshSm]

I'd also question whether you really want to blast it or if a chemical or other method might work better?

Whether it's removing paint or removing & treating corrosion I'd consider other options.

Only time I can remember using media on anything recently was for cosmetic surface finishing.

[Jim H]

JoshSm said:

I'd also question whether you really want to blast it or if a chemical or other method might work better?

Whether it's removing paint or removing & treating corrosion I'd consider other options.

Only time I can remember using media on anything recently was for cosmetic surface finishing.

Hi Josh thanks for this.

It’s only an old lawnmower and is fairly sturdy and should take it. The garage where I’ve discussed having the parts blasted use there kit for alloy wheels etc so not too harsh.

I tend to find that most off the shelf stripping chemicals don’t work that well in the new era of H&S. Last time I used Nitro Mors a few years ago - it was rubbish.

[alfabeat]

One of the most useful things I have in the garage (I like working on old metal rusty things), is a compressor and a needle scaler. They get rid of paint and rust and are also very good at finding holes in rusty metal. Then finish off with a flapper disc on the angle grinder for a better finish. I couldn't do without mine!

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Another concern is the dust. My friend had a little cabinet at home, and in the sunlight you could see the fine dust escaping the cabinet. Thet cant be good for you. I would certainly wear a mask and have a fan blowing the dust out the door.

[hidetheelephants]

The industrial versions all have dust extraction/filtration of fairly massive proportions, generally on the same scale as the cabinet itself.