I went ahead and called the local Sears store earlier and they are going to order it for me. It'll be in on the 11th supposedly so I should have it before next weekend.

 

Never sandblasted...
But can I sand blast rust off of the frame of my truck as is? Just jack it up and put down a tarp?

 

I think any mask that is approved for lead dust will handle sandblasting just find. I bought the more expensive Sears model and have been happy with it. I like the fact it is soft and fits the face contours well.

 

Can you guys tell me EXACTLY what respirator you have purchased for sandblasting?

I just bought the good sears one we mentioned above (model #18574) that is rated good for lead and asbestos but now that it has arrived it says right on it

DO NOT USE THIS RESPIRATOR FOR:
Ammonia
Formaldehyde
Paints or coatings containing isocyanate
Abrasive Blasting (including sandblasting)

I don't know what to do. I can't believe it's so hard to find one that is approved for sandblasting.

 

Guys, When I did some sandblasting for a contractor that I used to work for, we used a fresh air helmet. It had a hose that pumped fresh air (filtered, from a compressor) to a helmet/hood. Granted, it was more elaborate than the ocasional sandblaster needs, but it was supposed to be the best at keeping the airborn silicate out of your lungs.

Barring that, I would go to a rental yard, or sandblasting supply store and get a resparator that would work. Certianly they would have the right one.

Frank

 

Well, I don't think you can go wrong with AOSafety brand respirators. They are one of the more popular brands and have many different cannister types and offer different sized face respirators. I am using the AOSafety R5700 model with dual screw in cannisters R51A-R95 and it is size medium. You can find it at Lowes, Home Depot, Atwoods, etc. You can't go wrong with this brand.


Check out this link:
http://www.aosafety.com/diy/html/hazard2.htm


Contrary to what others might believe or tell you, this brand and kit work great! I have been using mine to blast my frame in an inclosed sand blast booth inside my 2 car garage. I spend hours at a time in the booth. I do not smell or taste any of the particles floating in the air, so my respirator is doing it's job. Each canister has a thick layer of cotton on the outside, then whatever filtering media inside the canister and another cotton filter leading to the inside of my respirator.

It has been a great & life extending investment for under $30!!! Now the local stores offer even more of the different types of AOSafety filter cannisters for different applications. The kit and cartridges that I use do not say "not for sandblasting". Some of the cartridges do though, so you will need to read the packaging first.


If you can't find a store employee nice enough to let you try one on for size you could always buy a size and if it doesn't fit, take it back and exchange it until you get the size that fits you best!

 

Thanks for the tip on that AOSafety respirator. There is a Lowes store less than an hour from here so I'll go there if I can't get something closer.

I have plans to go to the local Mine supply company and see what they have tomorrow. There's a good chance they'll have something that will work as well.

I'll post what I find.

 

The mine supply store should have some experts there. Just remember to get a filter rated for dust.

 

Man, I think y'all go a little overboard sometimes on some of these safety issues. Blast outside, in the open air with a strong shop fan blowing the dust away from you. Don't get eye to eye with the area you are blasting. Get back away from it. No dust, no harm. I've been blasting stuff this way for years using just a std. paint respirator. No nasty "dust boogers" or anything. Just don't give the dust a chance to reach you and you won't have a problem.

If you use a blast cabinet, then you have even less dust to worry about with the fan going. It should all be contained.

Now I know the moderator is gonna have a field day with this comment as he does with most, so have at it.

 

" Man, I think y'all go a little overboard sometimes on some of these safety issues. Blast outside, in the open air with a strong shop fan blowing the dust away from you. "

Well, that's a luxury that some of us don't have. I live in a heavily populated neighborhood. My house sits just 15-20 feet from neighbors on either side. I don't think they'd take too kindly a huge cloud of sand and metal debris dusting their homes and cars. I blast in a custom built enclosure in my garage to contain the mess and for easier cleanup. I wish I could just blast away in my front yard, but that will have to wait until I buy a house with some acreage with it. And, You can never to 'too safe.'

 

Personally, I'd rather be safe than sorry. You can blast how you'd like but I'm too young to end up with a lungfull of some crap that might kill me.

I just returned from the Mine Supply store and I wish I had thought of those guys first. I got an MSA (Mine Safety Appliance Company) Comfo Elite respirator with 2 of their M100 cartridges. The respirator was $26.96 and the cartridges were less than $9 a pair. This is a very nice, rebuildable respirator and it cost less than the Craftsman one which I'll be returning. They had another brand that was 2 or 3 dollars less but it wasn't nearly as nice as the one I got. I even found out they carry the sandblasting sand and it's cheaper than where I bought my last. I think Fine Grade Black Beauty was $7.30 per hundred pounds.

Regardless, I finally found a good respirator so now I can start blasting.

 

72stepside-

You have found a method that you are comfortable with, I wouldn't do it that way, but the decision is yours. You will have to live or die with it.

Ken 2600 has found the safety equipment that he feels confident with.

We just try to keep people safe here.

 

i have a set of aluminum powered by ford valve covers that are in pretty bad shape can these be sandblasted

 

I would not do it with sand. Take them to a sandblast shop and let them do it with some gentle media. There would be no guarantees of course. Some of that corrosion runs deep. It may be cheaper/better to just get some that are new or in good shape.

 

ken..you got lucky with the black beauty. It will say on the bag that it has no silica..Got the ok from an engineer in the salt mine to use on rust..It works fantastic on rusty parts, holds up better than sand, good luck.