Where to buy Sand Blasting Media?

[Stampede4ever]

Looking for Dupont's Star Blast, where to find it?

Thanks.

[spills]

not sure about the specific brand, but I know Northern Tool carries a few different types.

[Camaroholic]

I don't remember if Northern has Star Blast in particular, but they have several different non-silica based blasting materials available.

[SilverGhost]

harbor freight has media if they have a store by you.

Just use an online yellow pages and search abrasives and call the companies that come up close to you until you get one that carries blast media. That's what I did to find my supplier.

[mrdragster1970]

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In a pinch, most of the big lowes/menards type stores stock silica sand. Not name brand, but same basic item.

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[SilverGhost]

do NOT use silica. When blastedand released into the air it can cause some serious health problems if inhaled. If you do use it you need to be mondo protected. If should never be in a blast cabinet regardless of your reclamation system.

[cbrracer]

You could always go to Eastwoods.com
They carry alot of differnt types of blasting media.
Good Luck,
Don

[spills]

Originally Posted by SilverGhost

do NOT use silica. When blastedand released into the air it can cause some serious health problems if inhaled. If you do use it you need to be mondo protected. If should never be in a blast cabinet regardless of your reclamation system.

I've always been told never to use silica sand from home depot or anything, but I've never heard of not using it in a blast cabinet. Can you elaborate? Id never use it anyways, just curious why it can't be used in a cabinet. I would assume that if it's well ventilated (read: exhaust directed outside shop), there shouldn't be a problem.

[SilverGhost]

I think it falls under the better safe than sorry directive. I know my cabinet has a warnign label on it that says not to use it in the cabinet.

Also depends on what you are using the parts for. as a powder coater i wouldn't use it, good chance it would leave shit in the metal that would mess up my coating.

[mrdragster1970]

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Wow, sorry for bad info. That is what I was taught. What is the actual use for it?? if anyone knows.
I still have several bags under a shelf. I bought 10 bags of the black stuff, and just pushed it to the back,
for emergency use.

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[spills]

Just look on the bag, I think what he's talking about is play sand. If it sand that was manufactured for blasting, then it's more than likely silica free and cool to use.

Theoretically, I think you can use silica sand, but you MUST use a good breather. Personally, I dont mind paying $9/bag for blasting media so I dont even risk it. I've heard all sort of horror stories of people use play sand on the job site only to to die from it (I forget the details, I think the silica sticks to your lungs or something). Plus, play sand is full of all sorts of different size granuals and can clog up very easy of not sifted through. Blasting sand is usually cut down pretty level as far as consistency goes with the size.

[SilverGhost]

yes, there is no consistency in play sand, it will clog a blaster.

The health condition is called silacia as I recall, caused by inhaling the silica.

Spills I got your PM I will answer it today

[mrdragster1970]

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Ok, I did some checking. Silica sand was used for blasting for years. Nobody had any idea it was bad,
until workers started getting ill. It is still used world wide for blasting, but here in the US,
it must have a warning label saying highly recommended to use respiratory equipment while using.
My stuff must be old as dirt, due to it's in paper bags & has no label other than silica sand.
Again, sorry, I'm old & had no idea I was doing something stupid. AS USUAL.

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[Stampede4ever]

Anyone heard of
www.ati-blackdiamond.com/new/shockrock.htm

What are the Cons?

Thanks.

[trailwart]

not sure about the brand in question, but i have found media supplies at my local building stores/ lumber/hardware stores.

[Stampede4ever]

I can purchase this at TSC.

Thanks.