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Silica sand usage for a HF blaster

76zimmer

76zimmer

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The manual says do not use Silica sand. And of course I still have a couple bags laying around of that, and also some bi-carb media too.
When I bought this Harbor Frieght blaster I also got a container of Aluminum oxide for heavier rust on thicker metal.
Just curious if the silica sand causes a problem, or if its an inhalation risk. I've always used my paint mask for respiratory protection.
Any thoughts or experiences with the silica sand causing a problem with the blaster itself?
 
It's probably more of a health risk issue,than it being harmfull to the blaster itself..google "Silicosis" and you'll see what inhaling sand dioes to ya!...

We used a ton of sand we swept off the roadside at the junkyard,we just screened it good to get the pebbles and crud out by using an old window screen--it probably took 10 years off our lives though too,as we rarely had a bona fide "respirator" to use,most of the sandblasting we did outside with nothing more than a 3M dust mask on...not smart,but you know how that goes...:rolleyes:..
 
Dam, that sounds like trouble for your lungs....My 10 acres are full of sand, whoda thunk it?
 
76zimmer said:
Dam, that sounds like trouble for your lungs....My 10 acres are full of sand, whoda thunk it?
Click to expand...

ya, silicosis is some bad stuff.. when i was a foundry guy, I sandblasted molds all night long and got 'em ready to make castings..just a simple 3M dust mask and canvas hood for me. :dunno:

I can't REALLY see it hurting the blaster, but then I've never used a HF blaster...silica sand repels moisture, and doesn't clump and clog like "play quality" sand will. it's abrasive a f**k, which is a good thing..maybe that's the issue, the HF blaster could have a gun or tip that's cheaply made and will wear out quicker with the use of the silica sand. just thinking out loud.
 
I went through 160lbs of it today, and no problems....other than going through 160lbs of it.
 
Your not supposed to use it but in talking to a couple guys they say just blasting with it a small amount shouldn't really do much to harm your lungs.

They also said wearing the respirator won't help much with the silicosis.

I have blasted with it and probably will do some more with it.

I wear an old leather welding helmet that is taped to an old jacket when I blast.
 
I use that type of sand for outside blasting where it will only be a one time use. I've heard that its not as bad if you are not reusing it where the sand is broken down to smaller particals. Make sure you have a good mask if youre gonna do it.
 
It's funny, talking about blasting being harmful to your lungs but now I want a blaster too
 
76zimmer said:
Dam, that sounds like trouble for your lungs....My 10 acres are full of sand, whoda thunk it?
Click to expand...
Bah, 10 acres of silica are nothing compared to this stuff I have on my property. I figure its just a matter of time before my farm gets declared a Superfund toxic site and I get run off my own land.

Here is some information on it. Nasty Stuff.

http://www.dhmo.org/
 
I run silica... the blaster don't know any difference.. white sand to be exact.... and i don't recycle it... i wear my paint respirator under my hood... but a quality double strapped dust mask in a pinch...

for as rarely as i do it anymore, i don't worry about it.. back in the day at the resto shop, running a 1000 lb'er doing mixers, etc, i was glad to have an air supplied system...

every boat guy i know that had a boat bottom sandblasting biz, is dead... no joke, silicosis is brutal..
 
I did scoop some up, and figured on sifting it for re-use, mostly because I ran out and its about 20 miles to get more....80# bags are about 8.50
But I got done what I needed to for the moment.
I used my paint respirator mask under the cheapie HF hood, that thing is a PITA to use, pretty much need one hand to hold the hood in place all the time.
 
Fordum said:
Bah, 10 acres of silica are nothing compared to this stuff I have on my property. I figure its just a matter of time before my farm gets declared a Superfund toxic site and I get run off my own land.

Here is some information on it. Nasty Stuff.

http://www.dhmo.org/
Click to expand...

DAM....get out while you can.

My 10 acres is just normal sandy soil, not Silica....
 
76zimmer said:
DAM....get out while you can.

My 10 acres is just normal sandy soil, not Silica....
Click to expand...
Actually you should have plenty of silica in your field. Its one of those things where you can almost say all silica is sand, but not all sand is silica.

Not true, but close. Silica is Silicon dioxide, one of the most plentiful compounds on the planet. Depending on where you live, the sand may range from 10% to almost 100% silica.

But, you misread my post. I am not concerned about silica in my 40 acres, its the other stuff I linked to that is so terrible.

I know the warning has gone around before, but that stuff is so bad and so widespread, that you cannot post enough warnings.

I'll bet not only do you have some on your land, you probably have some in your house and never realized how bad it was........
 
Fordum said:
Bah, 10 acres of silica are nothing compared to this stuff I have on my property. I figure its just a matter of time before my farm gets declared a Superfund toxic site and I get run off my own land.

Here is some information on it. Nasty Stuff.

http://www.dhmo.org/
Click to expand...

You bastige! :haha:Do you KNOW how many people are fooled by that? :D I'm sitting in front of my TV poisoning myself with DHMO as I write this...

-- A
 
Fordum said:
I know the warning has gone around before, but that stuff is so bad and so widespread, that you cannot post enough warnings.

I'll bet not only do you have some on your land, you probably have some in your house and never realized how bad it was........
Click to expand...

I have it too! It's contaminated the plumbing in my house AND my yard, spraying that toxic crap all over my lawn... :rolleyes:

-- A
 
Better be careful about drinking that stuff. It'll turn yellow and start running out of you.
 
Fordum, that was my lame attempt at widespread panic over nothing....

like the snowstorm of 11....the worst since the dawn of man....or so they made it sound.
 
76zimmer said:
Fordum, that was my lame attempt at widespread panic over nothing....

like the snowstorm of 11....the worst since the dawn of man....or so they made it sound.
Click to expand...

Well, you did say "DAM", which is appropriate for DHMO :whistle:

-- A
 
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