What is a Sand Blaster?
Sand blasters work by shooting pressurized sand, or other materials, at a high rate of speed. The sand then removes the paint, rust, dirt, or other material from the surface of the item being sand blasted. Sand blasting leaves the surface smooth and polished, so it is commonly used to prepare surfaces for painting or resurfacing.
Sand Blaster Types
Sand blasters come in a variety of styles and sizes to fit a wide range of jobs. The three main types of sand blasters are gravity feed, siphon feed, and pressure feed.
Gravity feed and siphon feed are very similar. They work by using a container of sand that is attached to a sand blasting gun, which is then hooked up to an air compressor. Once the trigger is pressed, the compressed air forces the sand out of the nozzle.
Pressure feed sand blasters work a little differently. They use a pressurized container of sand, which is released when the trigger is pulled. Pressure feed sand blasters provide a more consistent flow of sand, and because of this they are usually easier to use.
Safety
Operating a sand blaster requires the use of safety equipment to prevent harm from the sand and dust particles. Goggles, masks, and gloves are usually standard when working with a sand blaster. The only time this equipment does not need to be used is when a sand blasting cabinet is used.
Blast cabinets allow you to work in a closed, safe environment, preventing the sand and dust particles from spreading. Blast cabinets come in two main styles; bench-top and free-standing. Selecting the right one depends on the type of work you plan on doing and how much room you have.
Once you know the projects you plan on working on and how much space you have, selecting a sand blaster and blast cabinet should be no problem at all.