Welding after sandblasting?

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I watched a TV show awhile back where they showed how Abrams Tanks returning from IRAQ we're stripped and refurbished from the ground up.  They hung the tank vertically in a big automated sandlaster.  When the tank chassis came out of the blaster, it was perfectly clean and ready for paint.  I thought that was pretty cool.I got to thinking how easy it would be to make a small automated sandblaster for small parts and such.   Probably not real practical to make unless you had an awful lot of parts to do.Anyhow....while doing some reading I came across a reference that said not to weld metal after it has been sandblasted.  The question I have is, why?  I can see where after welding the metal would need to be cleaned again, but I don't believe that was the reason they said not to weld sandblasted metal.  Anyone have an idea why?
Reply:The sand will inpregnate into the base metal and welding over sand is a It's ok to sandblast anything before hand but you will have to just "Kiss Grind" the weld area and clean it after before welding..Make it shiney where the weld goes and all is good.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by ATVI watched a TV show awhile back where they showed how Abrams Tanks returning from IRAQ we're stripped and refurbished from the ground up.  They hung the tank vertically in a big automated sandlaster.  When the tank chassis came out of the blaster, it was perfectly clean and ready for paint.  I thought that was pretty cool.I got to thinking how easy it would be to make a small automated sandblaster for small parts and such.   Probably not real practical to make unless you had an awful lot of parts to do.Anyhow....while doing some reading I came across a reference that said not to weld metal after it has been sandblasted.  The question I have is, why?  I can see where after welding the metal would need to be cleaned again, but I don't believe that was the reason they said not to weld sandblasted metal.  Anyone have an idea why?
Reply:I remember the TV show you're referring to, and the automated equipment wasn't a sandblaster.  It was a 2 story shot blast tower.  Difference is the shot blaster uses steel balls, about the size of BBs(.177 caliber) to clean and prep the tank hulls.Sandblasting is generally not recommend prior to welding, for the reasons already mentioned.  Steel shot leaves no residue on the metal surface and is therefore safe for welding.-Dave Originally Posted by ATVI watched a TV show awhile back where they showed how Abrams Tanks returning from IRAQ we're stripped and refurbished from the ground up.  They hung the tank vertically in a big automated sandlaster.  When the tank chassis came out of the blaster, it was perfectly clean and ready for paint.  I thought that was pretty cool.I got to thinking how easy it would be to make a small automated sandblaster for small parts and such.   Probably not real practical to make unless you had an awful lot of parts to do.Anyhow....while doing some reading I came across a reference that said not to weld metal after it has been sandblasted.  The question I have is, why?  I can see where after welding the metal would need to be cleaned again, but I don't believe that was the reason they said not to weld sandblasted metal.  Anyone have an idea why?
Reply:does this apply to using aluminum oxide to clean metal and then weld?thanks
Reply:well there is numerous ways you can blast.sand - cheap n nicecooper bead  - reusable multiple material and safer to weld laterplastic bead - aerospace required for aluminium... use shirt button materialwater jet - high pressure , for sensitive pollution areaice blasting - would be a good method if you have a vanilla topping...LOLUnit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:Originally Posted by westlawn5554xwell there is numerous ways you can blast... ice blasting - would be a good method if you have a vanilla topping...LOL
Reply:Shhh...(whisper) u can laugh at the vanilla but dont ask about the milk ok... I think someone is watching us... Attached ImagesUnit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:Originally Posted by makoman1860Imbedded Silica, they can create glass-like inclusions. Same reason why in the older aero books they made mention to cut and shape the 4130 tubing with only steel and carbide tooling, no grinding allowed due to the possibility of imbedding the abrasive in the material.
Reply:Thanks guys.  That clears it up.