Glass Bead Blasting Bicycle Parts

[Mymando]

McMaster-Carr is good for all kinds of bearings and nuts.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

When I use the sand blaster outdoors I drape a tarp behind to catch and recycle sand. A blast cabinet I use glass beads. A vibratory tumbler I removed the container and use different size boxes with the locking tops, then resin pellets or walnut shells.
Main thing is wear a quality industrial respirator when blasting. The cabinet seals well and has a vacuum system, but still wear a respirator.
Growing up we had a neighbor who had a whole building just for blasting cars, tractors, etc. He had the largest compressor I've seen (50hp, 440v 3ph as I remember).
He wore a space suit, never saw him wear a respirator. He made it to 70 surprisingly.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[Handyman]

OK, so I purchased a blast cabinet to do a little “glass bead blasting” and the manufacturer recommends that I use at least a 1 HP compressor, 10CFM, 90lbs. I now need to purchase a bigger compressor and in order to get one that puts out a steady 10CFM of air they are HUGE, HUGE, HUGE……..I really don’t want something that a full blown garage would use, so my question is this. Can I get away with a compressor that puts out less than 10CFM, lets say 4-5 CFM? Thanks, Pete in Fitchburg

 

[rustjunkie]

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

I want this tool!

 

[rustjunkie]

 

[ArtOfDisGuy]

I prefer walnut shells and pecan shells, I find silica sands and glass mediums remove to much metal and you can go thru on thin stuff

 

[ArtOfDisGuy]

Pete the cfm is amount of volume of air the compressor will steadily supply, by going to a smaller unit the actual pump will be running like a mad man on crack all the time if you put the blaster to consistant stubborn work,
Tank size matters only at start up, smaller tank faster drain out , larger tank more volume but again once pressure drops below operating setting that pump will kick on and work, bit you might get a bit of time before you start clogging up from lack of air pressure and flow.
Sometimes bigger is better

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Don’t forget the baking soda media....