what type of media do you use in your sandblaster?

[72hiboy4x4]

I need some advice on what type of media to use in my 'blasters.

My little portable unit I used sandbox sand in the only time I used it, and I can say it was disappointed in the results. the sand wasnt coming out very hard at all. I assume the granules were to large? it is a suction type if that matters.

My sandblast cabinet I have is almost 2 years old and I have yet to fire it up, so I need advice on what to use in it, also. I plan to blast small metal parts in it mostly, but may try some wood blasting or glass etching.

any ideas? I cant decide between walnut, sand,poly stuff, or what to use.
what are you guys using out there?

[FORDification]

Sandbox sand will normally work just fine...it's not the media that's causing you problems, it's your sandblaster. Those suction units....well, SUCK! (figuratively speaking, not literally!) They do not put out enough pressure to get any kind of decent results. You can get a good pressurized sandblaster setup from Harbor Freight pretty inexpensively...I'd highly suggest that, if your air compressor can handle the task.

Sandblast cabinets are a different story though, for the most part. Since the distance from the suction end and the outlet end isn't very far, they can produce decent results. I use silica sand for a little more aggressive blasting, or you can get glass bead media just about anywhere for use with softer materials. I'm not sure what the recommended media for glass etching is, but I'd bet a quick Google will give you all kinds of returns on the subject.

[71Ford100]

In the cabnet we use fine sand but it has scrathced the top up so I don't recommend in the cabinet. We buy our sand at a lumber yard in 80lb bags. You can get them in fine or rough grade. Thats what we use on tractor parts anyways.

[shrektruck]

I use the pressure pot setup from Harbor rape too. Here's a link for glass etching supplies. These guys are a little pricier on their blast media than an industrial house but their service is terrific. I have never had an order take more than two days to get here and if I want to drive up they've always had my order ready when I get there. they usually throw in some extra too.
These folks know what customer service is about. Am I still rambling? Damn! I am. Sorry.

http://www.rayzist.com