Blast Cabinet Media Question

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I have a blast cabinet, just a cheap HF unit I picked up used for $50. It works really well and is loaded with glass bead. The glass bead doesnt seem to clean paint and rust off of steel very well. Would I be better off with sand or some other media. Not working in thin sheet metal so I am not that worried about warping anything. It isnt hard to dump the glass bead out and change media. I can dump the glass bead back into its container and reuse it later. Might not be a bad idea just replace it all the way around. I have no idea how old the media I have is. It came with the cabinet when I bought it.
Reply:There are all sorts of different blast media options. Sand, alum oxide, ceramic, glass walnut shells... Some are more aggressive than others and they often come in differing grits. Smaller particles give a finer finish, but are usually less aggressive for the sane media.I usually use a medium to fine grit blast sand in my cabinet, usually because the items generally don't need heavy rust removal, and I want a finer finish on more delicate items. In my pot blaster for things like trailers, I use a fairly large aggressive sand for heavy rust and paint removal. Also remember than media breaks down with use, especially if it's recycled like in blast chambers. A grit will become finer and finer as the small particles shatter on impact. Some medias hold up longer than others under use..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Looking at this. http://www.tractorsupply.com/black-d...50-lb--3905403 Anyone ever used it?
Reply:Originally Posted by bhardy501Looking at this. http://www.tractorsupply.com/black-d...50-lb--3905403 Anyone ever used it?
Reply:Thanks, I think I am going to try some of it in my cabinet. For $8 if it doesnt work I am not out much.
Reply:I use the equivalent of Black Diamond, don't know if mine is name brand though. It's just slag. It's a fairly aggresive media. I clean a lot of old rusty tractor parts, so it works good for me.
Reply:The answer is probably that there is a vast range of blasting media available for all kinds of very different jobs.  A bit of research and some experimentation, plus what is readily available at a reasonable cost in your own locality.  Probably best to go see the guys that sell the stuff, get some prices and advice for the type of jobs you have.Cheers,  Tony._________________________________Transmig 310 + Argoshield LightOxy acetyleneOxy propanePrehistoric stick welder_________________________________
Reply:I just picked up two 50 lb bags and dumped them in my blaster.  It works GREAT coming from glass bead.  It will produce a profile, I have the 20/40 grit.  I like it so far - it tore off paint/corrosion/grime on cast aluminum in about 1/10 the time my glass bead too.  Love it so far.Miller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:Jon K, is that the Black Diamond you bought. I plan on picking up some payday to go in my cabinet.
Reply:Originally Posted by bhardy501Jon K, is that the Black Diamond you bought. I plan on picking up some payday to go in my cabinet.
Reply:Thanks, I am going to pick up some payday.