How Does a Sandblaster Work

How Does a Sandblaster Work?
All sandblasters work on roughly the same principles: finely ground silica sand is used to clean and
abrade a surface, typically metal, of any rust, paint or other unwanted surface materials. This is
done by means of an air-powered pressure gun that fires out the sand at high velocity to impact
with the intended surface. All sandblasters use said pressurized gun, which has a ceramic barrel or
interior coating to prevent the sand from eroding it over time. The exact process by which the sand
is introduced to the gun differs. Basically speaking, there are three types of sandblaster.

The first of the three types of sandblaster is the gravity-fed model. There are three basic parts to
this model: an air compressor or pressurized air tank, a hand-held pressure gun with air hose and
a hopper on top of the gun. The hose connects to the air tank, and the hopper is filled with silica
sand. When the trigger of the gun is depressed two things happen. First, compressed air fires
through the gun as long as the trigger is held down. Second, an opening at the top of the gun into
which the hopper is connected opens. The air flowing through the gun and the force of gravity pulls
the sand down through the gun and out the barrel.

Pressure blasters are more often used by commercial organizations, as they are significantly easier
to use than the other models but also cost more to use. They consist of a large canister containing
silica sand under high pressure. This is a bit similar to the concept behind an aerosol can. A
sandblasting gun, usually a two-handed model, is connected to the port at the top of the canister
by means of a specialized hose that can withstand the abrading affects of the sand. When the
trigger of the gun is pulled, both the air and sand are forced out as a single entity. This means
cleanup and maintenance is practically nonexistent, but there are some drawbacks. Because the
canisters are fully enclosed, the sand that they fire out cannot be collected and reused. Also when
the canister is empty, it must be swapped out for another, or an entirely new one must be
purchased, both at significant cost.
A siphon sandblaster is the model you're most likely to find in any handyman's possession. It can be used to clean and
strip large surfaces and is moderately cheap. It consists of three parts. It has a sandblasting gun with two separate hoses, one
connected to the bottom of the handle and the other connected the underside of the barrel. It has a normal pressurized tank or
air compressor. It also has a reservoir of loose sand. This takes the form of a large bucket or container of some kind. The air
hose of the gun is connected to the compressor, while the other hose is connected to the underside of the separate sand
reservoir. When the gun is fired, the air serves to create a suction, which pulls the sand from the reservoir up the hose and
into the gun to be fired out the barrel. As a result of this system, the sand that is fired out the barrel can be collected and
placed back in the reservoir to be reused again and again.
Sandblasting is a process that may be used for a variety of tasks. From stripping away old
paint and rust to cleaning the hulls of ships to etching and engraving, sandblasting can be
employed to make the job go more smoothly. In and around the home, this process is often
used to perform tasks that would traditionally have required hand-sanding with paper; using
sandblasting equipment in such situations not only makes the job go faster, it can often result
in a surface that is more uniform and consistent.

Depending on the application, the sandblasting equipment needed to do the job right can vary
dramatically. Professional equipment used for large-scale projects is extremely powerful and
should only be operated by those who are trained to use it properly. If you plan on performing
any sandblasting on your own, it is very important to wear eye, nose, mouth, and ear
protection as well as clothing that will protect your skin. Though equipment can be rented
from hardware stores and home improvement centers, DIY sandblasting is not typically
recommended for the uninitiated as mistakes can not only damage property, but cause
physical harm to people, as well.

The first step in any sandblasting project is determining what sort of equipment
and materials should be employed for the task.
1. 1.The First Step
The first step in any sandblasting project is determining what sort of equipment and
materials should be employed for the task. Professional equipment comes in many
different varieties, and the blasting media does, too. Organic material like corncob and
walnut shells and very soft materials like pumice may be the most appropriate blasting
media to use on more delicate substrates like wood or fiberglass; more aggressive
blasting media like plastic abrasives, glass beads, aluminum oxide, steel grit, and
silicon carbide can be used to scour, etch, and even cut very strong surfaces like steel.
The particular task you wish to perform will determine the preferred blasting media
and most appropriate equipment.
2. 2.Preparing Surrounding Surfaces
No matter what kind of job you're performing or what kind of media you are using,
any sandblasting job that does not take place inside a specialized sandblasting cabinet
will be a messy operation. Expect the media to bounce off the surface it is applied to
and land just about anywhere within sight. Make sure that any delicate surfaces in the
immediate area are either removed or placed under protective covering, and be
prepared to clean up plenty of used blast media after the job is done.
3. 3.Blast Off
As any professional will tell you: Sandblasting is a process that takes practice to
perform properly. Before you begin working on the surface, it is probably a good idea
to practice and improve your skills on something that is not particularly important.
Once you have a grasp of how the equipment functions, you can move on to the
original surface with more confidence.

Read more: http://www.redbeacon.com/hg/step-step-sandblasting/#ixzz3ArUsuCIP
 4.Hiring a Professional
As you can see, even these basic steps require a high degree of knowledge and a fair amount
of experience to accomplish successfully (without even getting into clean-up). This is one of
the main reasons why so few homeowners choose to do this job themselves.

Professional sandblasting contractors will all have experience in the basics of the technique,
but most will have a few areas of special expertise. It is often worth the effort to seek out a
professional who is not only experienced in the type of job you need performed, but one who
specializes in it. Removing built-up organic matter or weathered wood from the exterior of a
log cabin is a far different task than removing graffiti from a concrete surface, so make sure to
give each contractor you contact a clear idea of what the job is and ask if they've handled that
task before.

Read more: http://www.redbeacon.com/hg/step-step-sandblasting/#ixzz3ArUyNKFp
Sandblasting is a general term used to describe the act of propelling very fine bits of material
at high-velocity to clean or etch a surface. Sand used to be the most commonly used material,
but since the lung disease silicosis is caused by extended inhalation of the dust created by
sand, other materials are now used in its place. Any small, relatively uniform particles will
work, such as steel grit, copper slag, walnut shells, powdered abrasives, even bits of coconut
shell. Due to the dangers of inhaling dust during the process, sandblasting is carefully
controlled, using an alternate air supply, protective wear, and proper ventilation.
A sandblasting setup usually consists of three different parts: the abrasive itself, an air
compressor, and a blaster nozzle. For etching and small object cleaning, a workstation to hold
the piece of glass is also needed, as is some sort of collector to gather up excess dust.
Sandblasting is primarily used for two somewhat different applications. The first of these is to
clean a surface of anything that may be clinging to it. The second is to either etch or carve
designs or words into glass or a similar material.
The first sandblasting process was patented in the US in 1870. As a cleaning method, it is
often used for priming a surface for the application of paint or a sealant. When painting, one
doesn't want to trap dust, dirt, or bubbles in a previous layer of paint, or other imperfections
under the new layer. By launching small bits of abrasive at the surface at a high speed, all
imperfections are knocked loose and can then be easily washed off, creating an incredibly
smooth surface upon which to lay the new layer of paint. Sandblasting may also be used for
such projects as cleaning the hulls of ships or large structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge.
In decorating glass, sandblasting is a wonderfully popular technique, with few substitutes.
While hand-etching is possible, it is incredibly time consuming and expensive, and laser-
etching has a range of flaws which make it a questionable choice. There are two main ways in
which sandblasting is used to decorate glass: etching and carving.
In glass etching, abrasive is blasted at the glass lightly to turn the glass semi-opaque. This
'whiting' or 'snowing' of the glass can be used to great effect to produce words or images. By
adjusting the speed of the sandblasting and the angle from which the abrasive is being
launched, differing shades can be created, allowing for some true works of art. Glass is carved
by steadily sandblasting the surface through a stencil which protects the areas you don't want
to be carved out. Sandblasting as a technique for carving can be very nuanced, with differing
depths and angles of cuts creating an array of lighting effects that may be quite beautiful.
The cost of sandblasting equipment depends greatly on the scope of the projects intended. A
small home glass carving setup can be acquired relatively inexpensively, while a system with
a cabinet capable of handling larger pieces of glass and more nuanced sandblasting can cost
significantly more. A professional-level artistic sandblasting setup will likely be quite
expensive. Industry-level sandblasting equipment also varies in cost, again depending on the
scale and scope of the projects to be completed.
 Material used for Sandblasting Procedure
 Sandblasting is the process of using compressed air to propel abrasive media at a surface to
clean, debur, or to prepare a surface for a coating of some sort. What is Sandblasting ?
 Materials used in Sandblasting
 • Sand, • Copper slag, • Steel grit, • Powder abrasives, • Small pieces of walnut • Pieces of
avocado shells Each of these materials has the requirement of application within the industry.
 Types of Sandblasters