Shot blasting - DIY

[Retro Pedro]

Posting to see if anybody has had experience of shot/sand blasting as DIY, or is it something that should really be left to the professionals.
Been having a look through the net and at youtube to try and establish if having a go at doing our own blasting of the chassis and other heavy weight components on the vintage lorry is going to be a worthwhile consideration.
Seems that if 'sand' is mentioned, then your dealing with cowboys - looks like fine grade grit (is that sand or what) or fine metal is what is used. Protective clothing and heavy weight chest and head gear is a must with proper breathing/respiratory system to go with it.
My initial thoughts are that when the wagon is dismantled, that the chassis, springs, axle etc. can be taken outside to the yard and blasted in the open or does the blasting have to take place in a sealed working environment?
Any input will be gratefully received.

[MG Autos (Mark)]

Hi Pete, this is actually something I was and still am looking into but on a smaller scale, i.e. I want to be able to refurb alloy wheels, motorcycle frames, swing arms, etc.

There's lots of different types of blast media and they all have a slightly different use / purpose. Sand is still used by some, but so is grit, soda, glass and even crushed walnut shells.

The main thing I've found with shot / sand blasting process is that the blast media is can be quite expensive and on larger projects you need a lot of it so to make it cost effective you need to be able to contain and recycle your blast media. So you either really need a blast cabinet of some kind or most of the firms I've spoken to use things like shipping containers to use a blast rooms for larger items like floor pans and car body shells, that way they can sweep and if needed siv the blast media and use it again and again.
If you can utilize a clean, sealed room as your "blast room" then your laughing but you'll need a ventilation system or a dedicated B.A. for who ever is doing the blasting so they don't suffocate oh and of course have the finances for the blast equipment and media in the first place

[Mr Mud]

And I don't think 'elf an' safety will be happy about you blasting sand, grit or any other media your using into the atmos' so you will definitely need some sort of containment/retrieval system

[yaki]

Have a small blast cabinet and spot blaster and it is ideal for small jobs. Did attempt a chassis off a Triumph GT6 many years ago and TBH it was not worth the aggro and defo better left to the professionals.

If you are going to do it yourself you will need a fairly hefty compresser and some serious protective gear. I used a boiler suit and taped up the gaps, head shield, breathing mask etc and I still ended up with blasting grit inside my clothes, ears, nose etc.

[Retro Pedro]

Cheers guys for replys - only at the thinking about it stage at the mo and as it's a 20 foot long lorry chassis and the boss will be paying, reckon it might be a plan to send it to the professionals. A neighbour that's into his mini restorations was telling about a company that is not to far away that does blasting and applies some sort of hot melt zinc/primer so might have a word with them.

[Kevin1964]

Pete. There used to be a company in east Peckham that specialized in large items for sandblasting...I know they did the truck bodies and chassis for tipper firms and did skips. They are right near the hump back bridge on the main road through East Peckham or used to be. Arnold & Nathan I think they are or was called. I haven’t been over that way for years now so don't know if they still exist mate but worth you checking out. I do have a mate who does vapour blasting in sevenoaks and he may know of someone who could do it.

[Kevin1964]

Just tried searching that company without success. They might go by a different name now but i did find this company that does large items up to 20 meters long and isn't that far from your pete. No point doing that size item yourself because you would really require a mobile compressor unit or even a massive fixed version. And there is the enviroment issues to deal with.

http://www.beeverlimited.co.uk
E-mail: beeverlimited@btinternet.com
Fax: 01892 891233
Phone: 01892 890045

Beever Limited
Little Coldharbour Farm
Tong Lane
Lamberhurst
Kent TN3 8AD

Sorry for hyjacking your post pete but i feel other foggers could benefit from the the above info plus the following website which belongs to a mate of mine. www.tsrvapourblasting.co.uk

[Retro Pedro]

No dramas Kev - thanks for the good info.

Arnold and Nathan disappeared off the face to the earth many moons ago I'm afraid Kev

[Kevin1964]

I kinda had my doubts as to wether they still exsisted but glad i got the company name correct after all these years A company that my mate suggested for doing big stuff pete..MJK Blasters at East Grinstead

[pot bellied pixie]

I worked in the container repair /conversion industry in a previous life and they had the facility to blast 40 foot boxes with ease, are there any such companies in your neck of the woods that might be open for a cash job on a Sunday morning ?

[Kevin1964]

Who are you aiming your question at..pbp??. Are you saying you need some blasting done down here in kent or looking for work??

[pot bellied pixie]

not looking for work ,just suggesting another alternative for the OP to think about.. the blaster in our place often did the odd pocket money job on Sunday mornings

[Kevin1964]

Only way to know is to make inquiries