Sand Blasting

[hser]

Been repairing outdoor power equipment & engines for 34 years. Used to sell Snapper. I've enjoyed sometimes refurbishing and painting a few mowers. Usually use Roloc discs which takes a lot of time.

Lately i've been looking into getting a portable sand blaster like Matco F50. I read a lot of consumer comments dealing with frustration over clogging issues. If you have a portable sand blaster that you like please post your reply to these questions:

(1) What brand and model do you like?
(2 What abrasive media would you recommend for sanding a deck down to the bare metal (walk behind mower like a Snapper) ? I've been told walnut shells and Black Beauty coal slag.

NOTE: I have a 1-1/2 HP electric motor on an Emglo 30 gal tank compressor. I would prefer NOT to upgrade.

Peter Hall, MST
Hall's Small Engine Repair
Hooksett, NH 03106

 

[reynoldston]

I have and used the sand blaster like the Matco F-50. I have found it is very dirty to use but good for larger parts. You will need a good open space outdoors to us it. I also have the cabinet blaster which I find I use a lot more and find it is a lot more useful. I could fit a push mower frame into the cabinet blaster. If you are going to use the sand blaster for removing heavy rust you will want to use the sand and the walnut shells for lite duty and small parts with the air pressure turned down.

 

[Mini Motors]

As far as the compressor is concerned, it's all about CFM, so the specs of the compressor should match the requirements of the blaster. As for media, that depends on what material the deck is. Personally, I wouldn't blast an aluminum deck at all. It's too soft and you will spend a lot of time getting it smooth again. It's best to use a solvent to remove paint from that. As for a steel deck, it depends on what kind of paint you're trying to remove. With cheaper or thinner paints, Walnut should do okay. With a porcelain paint, the Black Beauty will take it off. For reference's sake, walnut is somewhat soft, while Black Beauty is rather aggressive. Somewhere in the middle is plain old play sand(and much cheaper, too).

 

[fastback]

I'm not farmilar with the matco. I have used a gravity sander with some success, but you tend to use a lot of sand. Most recently I purchased a pressure sander from HF. I bought the smaller one it will take about 3/4's of a bag. I think its a 40 lb'er. I buy my sand right from the supplier (Taget Sand) it goes for $5.50 per bag. I use 00 grit sand for most things made of steel or cast iron. Where ever you purchase your sand they can help you choose the right grit and type. Make sure you get head cover and wear long sleeves and pants. Sand will get everywhere. Dependng on the size mower it could take 4 or more bags.

As for compressor I use a 60 gallon C. H., but I don't remember the CFM I think its around 16 or 19 at 90 psi. I ususally have to stop blasting to let the compressor catch up.

I usually save most of my blasting for cooler weather with the extra clothing it makes it more comfortable