Just bought a blasting cabinet what media do you guys use for parts?

[ShawnAgne]

Well decided to just go ahead and buy a blasting cabinet as there are some other parts I want to do on the cub. Just wondered what media and grit size do you recommend? Mainly be removing paint and prepping before repainting. If there is rust what do you recommend?

[Barnyard]

I use 80 or 100 grit aluminum oxide

[inairam]

Eastwood does a nice job recommending a media for the application http://www.eastwood.com/abrasive-blasting/media.html

Aluminum oxide and silicon carbide are aggressive and fast but can damage lighter parts. Walnut shells and soda ash are less aggressive but lower the risk of damaging parts

Many members recommend electrolysis for rust removal. I have used it many times and find it very useful

[Gary Dotson]

In this area, there isn't much to choose from in blast media. TSC has the black coal slag media, it's very aggressive, very coarse but inexpensive. I tried it once and didn't care for it. When I get to Rural King, they carry Garnet (I think it's aluminum oxide) and for a little more money, glass bead. Both are 80 grit. TP tools has a great selection and explains each one very well but shipping on 50 lb. bags is a real deal breaker. So I use mostly garnet and sometimes glass bead from Rural King.

[Larry in WNY]

I use Black Beauty from TSC in my TP Tools cabinet blaster. Lasts awhile and works well with less dust. Aluminum oxide works well too but get dusty as it breaks down. Black Beauty plugs up the portable blaster I use outside for larger parts. Use a screen to clean the media. TP Tools sells them.
Larry

[Pompiere]

I'm not sure where to buy it now since they closed their stores, but Anderson's General Store in NW Ohio there used to have ground corn cob media. I bought a bag once and it took paint off without damaging the metal underneath.

[Jim Becker]

Garnet is a silicate. It should be OK inside a cabinet but careful about dust control and don't use it in a way you wouldn't use sand.

I mostly use aluminum oxide in my cabinet. As I recall, I most recently got it from Northern Tool. I think I bought online for pickup in their retail store. No freight charge that way.

[Larry in WNY]

Although a cabinet blaster contains most of the dust you should still use a dust mask or respirator to protect your lungs. Silicosis can destroy your lungs and you'll need an oxygen tank to breath someday. It's uncomfortable and hot if doing much time blasting but your health is more important than cleaning up parts. I use a shop fan to keep some air moving towards me and it's much better. It's been mentioned before but worth reminding.
Larry

[Redfred1]

Glass bead... Harbor Freight.

https://t.harborfreight.com/50-lbs-glass-bead-80-grit-abrasive-media-61874.html

Have one not far from me... some like them, others don't. cheap stuff, but some is uesful and my powder coater and powder from there works great.

FredD