Sinking Creek 4WD Association

So I've got some things I want to blast, but having never done it I don't know where to get the sand. I have learned that you need sand that has been screened to remove large particles, and also that sand made for the purpose is ground in a way that leaves sharp edges which get the job done a lot faster than stuff like the play sand you can get at Lowe's or Home Depot.

I also learned about silicosis and how important it is to use a respirator. If I were going to be doing this a lot and on small parts, I would just get an enclosure and use glass beads, but I want to do it on my axles first, and possibly frame and body in the future.

silica sand (sandstone) is crystalline by nature ... the play sand sold at Lowes is from the mine i worked at in Tennessee ... its the same stuff used for a lot of sand blasting applications.

it will work fine for you, we used it plenty for sandblasting parts at the mine.

be sure you have a dry air source and yes, use a respirator for it. The dust is still crystalline so it shreds your lungs and its small enough that it doesnt come back out ... it gets in your lungs, gets wet, and sets, quite literally, like concrete ... unless you feel like dying a few years early, get a respirator (the paper/cotton fiber masks are worthless. spend the money on a good respirator with replaceable filters, its well worth it and you can get filters for just about any job you will ever do (good if you are working around fumes at all ... unless you like killing your brain cells.)

i suggest something like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... =100195886

notice it has different filters for organic fumes and for particulates ...

i have a respirator like that from Lowes. Definitely worth the extra $$$.

Same here. I have one and it is definitely worth it. I have found that it is also useful for a Halloween costume too or to wear around friends that are sick to make fun of them.

Thought I'd give an update since I tried it out for the first time today. Here's how it turned out:



I used a $10 siphon-feed blaster and play sand from Homo Depot:



I screened the sand using an old kitchen strainer thing, and I'm glad I did. It probably kept the sand flowing nicely without those bigger chunks in it:


I definitely want to pick up one of those hoods that cover your whole head. I was wearing my respirator and a pair of lab goggles, but some sand was still finding its way to my eyes now and then.