Badger sand blaster.

[chessiecat]

Just bought the Badger sand blaster to strip paint off of models. I was wondering if anyone has this system and how well it works. Should I build a box to try to reclaim the grit and reuse it? I know to wear a mask while using it , but was thinking that maybe I could recycle the grit.   Thanks   Jim

[TwinZephyr]

It would be very desirable to use a box to contain the grit even if you are not interested in reclaiming the grit.  Without a box, the grit will go everywhere - in your hair, eyes, clothes and all over everything else in the vicinity.  Even with a blasting box, it would probably be best to do your blasting outdoors.  A moisture filter is necessary.  Any moisture in the air supply will cause the grit to clump and clog the tool.

[Budliner]

I have one of them vacuum display boxes the one that sucked the smoke out of the air

I was going to use it for a paint booth . but a blaster booth sounds cool

can I use any airbrush as a sandblaster

 

K

[chessiecat]

Budliner the sandblaster has what looks like a hardened steel nozzle in the end. It appears to work on the same principle as an airbrush but has a larger nozzle. It's supposed to be safe enought to remove paint off plastic models.  Hope it works so I don't have to worry about chemicals and what they will do to a expensive locomotive body!    Later Jim

[Railphotog]

I have one that I bought many years ago.   I've only used it a few times.  I doubt if it would be able or suitable to totally remove paint fromt a model.   It's way too slow, and would use a whole lot of grit to do the job.   Use 90% alcohol instead.

I used mine recently to remove the factory lettering from a Life Like RDC.  I took my time, and it did work.  The only problem is where the lettering was removed, the silver paint now looks flat rather than shiney like before.  The same on a box car, the lettering is gone, but the paint around and under it now looks sandblasted.  This is great if you want the effect of original paint being painted over, but to just remove factory lettering, I didn't like the effect.

I made a sandblasting cabinet from a plastic box - the kind with the two flaps on top that swing open; I got it at Wal-Mart for about $6.00.  It's mostly clear plastic, so light can shine through so I can see what I'm doing.  I added a clear insert on one of the top flaps to see inside.  With the box on its side, I stuck my hands (in heavy rubber gloves) inside with the bottom flap open.    I added a fitting on one side to attach my shop vacuum, to catch the fine dust that comes from using the blaster.

All of this more or less worked, except I got a lot of sand over myself through the opened flap where I had my hands.  And with the compressor and vacuum running, it is noisy!  I did this in the garage.  I originally wanted to make two holes and use some really long rubber gloves fastened to the holes, just like they do in commercial blast booths.  Maybe next time, but since I wasn't overly impressed with the effects, I might not use it again.   Used sand falls to the bottom of the plastic box, and can be recovered if needed.

I imagine the blaster would be best to prepare metal for painting - like brass.  

Bob Boudreau

 

 

[jerryl]

May want to try baking soda or toothpaste as an abrasive to remove lettering,less abrasive.

[jerryl]

CORRECTION>>> I meant tooth powder..Sorry