Sandblasting unit setup

Hi, all.

I’d like to set up a sandblaster in my shop for jewelry metal
texturing, and make an appeal to those who have experience with such
machinery for tips, hints, clues, wisdom – all those things I see
daily on this board – in helping to get set up. My main problem is
space, so I’d appreciate ideas on making everything compact.

  1. What is the minimum size compressor that’s effective?

  2. What sort of work enclosure is best?

  3. What kinds of media and equipment (brand names) have you found
    effective?

I’ll probably be working mainly with small pieces of karat gold,
Sterling and perhaps platinum – as well as cleaning rust from my
jewelry tools (just moved from a beach location).

Also, for our Master Model Maker, or anyone else, has anyone
experimented with sandblasted textures on Ferris hard wax? It may be
a really dumb idea, and there may be better ways to achieve
interesting textures without embedding sand or silicon carbide in
your wax model. But I’ve worked with lots of it and, with the right
medium, it just might work. . all ideas welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Rick

1. What is the minimum size compressor that's effective? 

Depends on what size the blasting unit is, nozzle size(s) on
blasting tip, tank storage, pressure and thus cfm required.

2. What sort of work enclosure is best? 

I like total enclosures, vacuum exhaust, dust collector as
needed/required for your circumstance, cabinet lite, side or front
or both for loading, incorporated sand, bead, media recycling or
pressure pot.

3. What kinds of media and equipment (brand names) have you found
effective? 

I use, 99% of the time, glass beads (very small ones) on bronze
sculptures but also use same setup for jewelry (just have to be
careful not to drop work pieces into the cabin ate as then I have to
go fish tim out, , very doable but it takes some time. I use glass
beads as they do not remove metal just the “stuff” stuck onto it
that I am removing. Basically the metal surface gets peened by the
beads, like hitting it a zillion times with a wee wee tiny ball peen
hammer. … Removes investment, fire scale, rust, paint, etc. very
well and quickly. Bigger beads or sand can be used for more sever
texture if needed, just a pain to switch the media from the cabin
ate, then cleaning the cabin ate VERY WELL when switching back to
the small bead media. GREAT surface preparation on bronze sculptures
for patination.

Also, for our Master Model Maker, or anyone else, has anyone
experimented with sandblasted textures on Ferris hard wax? It may
be a really dumb idea, and there may be better ways to achieve
interesting textures without embedding sand or silicon carbide in
your wax model. 

Never tired it but seems that it would allow for some potentials.
Cynthia or I would probably just do the texturing work with
"regular? wax working tools, what ever they might be for you,
others, etc.

Good luck!!
john dach

Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a sandblasting cabinet for your jewelry projects? We recommend:

Maybe I missed something here, John - are you talking about using
sand blasting to create small, wearble jewelry pieces?

Do you have a WWW to show some of the products?

1. What is the minimum size compressor that's effective? 

The other John already answered some things. We use a mix of glass
beads and carborundum because we DO want texture, though we only use
it 2-3 times a year. Thing is, the compressor is the main part of
the equation in a sandblaster. Any blaster will give you
requirements, of which therewill be two: PSI and CFM -“cubic feet
per minute”. You need to have both of those or it just won’t work.
CFM is the amount of air flow, and you need that to pick up the
sand, and then it’s the pressure thatgives the force to it. Kind of
like amps and volts in electricity - you need a mix of both to run a
toaster.

I'd like to set up a sandblaster in my shop for jewelry metal
texturing. ... (Rick) 

Steel has an H around 5 1/2 so I am thinking that if you can texture
and shape metal with sand blasting you can do the same with a lot of
rocks. Has anybody on Orchid used sand blasting to make jewelry
pieces or sculpt ornamental stone?

Note From Ganoksin Staff:
Looking for a sandblasting cabinet for your jewelry projects? We recommend: