Home made bead blaster box (Cheap but effective)

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5speed
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Re: Home made bead blaster box (Cheap but effective)

#16

Post by 5speed »

finally..a topic I have some experience in. :mrgreen:
I've been refinishing firearms for around 12 years now as a hobby.
I use a product called gun kote made by KG coatings. They recommend and I've used 120 grit aluminum oxide.
It apparently is the best media to use to prep for painting.
I was told by the owner of KG that it you looked at the surface of the metal under an electron microscope after blasting with glass beads or even silica sand it would look like a golf ball.
However with aluminum oxide the surface would be full of jagged marks which promotes much better adhesion.

I refinished a Winchester model 94 once using silica sand and when I was done the painting, baking process..I could peel the finish off with a finger nail. :-?
I blast at 40 psi and at that pressure the aluminum oxide won't remove a gob of grease so I've never had any concerns with it removing metal.
It also helps keep the dust down and extends the life of the media.

Here is a Savage Model 99C I did a few years ago.
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1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Track T 2411
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Re: Home made bead blaster box (Cheap but effective)

#17

Post by Track T 2411 »

Very nice!
Terry, I spent a LOT of time taking the op's idea and expanding on it, including adding an exhaust. I used a spare automotive air filter, and even tried to make a vacuum port. When I used my homemade soda blaster, I couldn't keep the dust down enough to make it workable. I ended up using the bottom container only, with a three sided cardboard surround stuck inside to contain at least some of the soda for re-use. I'm sure that using a heavier blasting media would alleviate the dust issue somewhat, but haven't tried it. My 2 cents.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

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Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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5speed
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Re: Home made bead blaster box (Cheap but effective)

#18

Post by 5speed »

My first cabinet was from Princess Auto (think habour freight). It was a floor model with the ability to hook up some type of exhaust for the dust.
I used my shop vac to see if it would help and it did..but it sucked a lot of the media out with the dust.
When I turned it on the gloves would stick out into the cabinet like my hands were in them. lol
I think if you used a shop vac but extended the hose out it would weaken the vacuum pull enough to just pull the dust out..
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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