Vapour blasting

(RIP) Tunneruk · Nov 12, 2015

Does anyone here do Vapour blasting?

I've just converted my small dry blast cabinet over to do wet / vapour blasting. I've got it running like a charm but I'm struggling to dial in the finish I'm getting.

I first started using 500-600 micron crushed glass but quickly realised that this was too course. I am now running 100-200 micron crushed glass and it's much better, especially now I've dropped the air pressure down to 35-40 PSI.
However, the finish is still a little dull, I'm looking for more of a satin sheen rather than matt silver.

I'd call the guys local to me (TSR) but feel it's not very good form to contact a specialist if I'm not going to use them.
If anyone here is in the know I'd really appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Cheers in advance boys!

Rob Farmer · Nov 13, 2015

It took a while to get mine working correctly. If you are getting a dull finish then the media is cutting the surface instead of peening. Your media wont last long. Have you tried aiming the blast gun at 45° instead of directly at the work peace?

after some experimentation I was getting this finish

tuftywhite · Nov 13, 2015

Rob, you seem to be taking over the world, gearbox by gearbox.

Your loft is really going to sag.

(RIP) Tunneruk · Nov 13, 2015

Rob Farmer said:
It took a while to get mine working correctly. If you are getting a dull finish then the media is cutting the surface instead of peening. Your media wont last long. Have you tried aiming the blast gun at 45° instead of directly at the work peace?

after some experimentation I was getting this finish

That's exactly the finish I'm after, I'm running super fine media but I'm wondering i'm wondering if 40psi id still to high. I'm going to drop it down to 24 and see what happens ....... Watch this space!

Rob Farmer · Nov 13, 2015

100GS swinging arm.

Close up - the beads should just peen and clean the surface instead of exploding on the surface. I tried too much pressure initially but the media doesn't last five minutes and you end up with the surface being abraded.

(RIP) Tunneruk · Nov 13, 2015

Well I've just run a couple of old casings through at 25psi and the abrasive doesn't seem to have the oomph to do much at all.
I'm wondering if I should try larger grit at lower pressure.

It's fair to say that my results look nothing like yours Rob which is exactly what I'm after :blast

(RIP) Tunneruk · Jan 15, 2016

Due to the massive influx of interest in this thread I thought I'd add an update! ...... Looks like it's just you Rob

Finally I have success :JB

Had a good conversation with my aluminium oxide supplier and he sent me a sample of the good stuff! 150 micron spherical glass bead.

I rinsed the old media out of the cabinet and had a go with the new stuff, just what the doctor ordered!!

I'm pleased to the power of 10!!!

I've only gave the bits below a quick once over. They'll get a more thorough clean in the fullness of time.

Before

IMG_0536 by tunneruk, on Flickr

After

IMG_0537 by tunneruk, on Flickr

Before

IMG_0534 by tunneruk, on Flickr

After

IMG_0539 by tunneruk, on Flickr

The Other PaulG · Jan 15, 2016

That's a great breakthrough.

Can't wait to see how the rest of the Norton cleans up.

Gargy · Jan 15, 2016

Not sure if this info is relevant, but I've been working at a factory that refurbishes air plane landing gear. To get the finish that you are describing they use steel shot. I can ask for some info on Monday if you want.

Let me know.............. Unless your sorted now.

(RIP) Tunneruk · Jan 15, 2016

Gargy said:
Not sure if this info is relevant, but I've been working at a factory that refurbishes air plane landing gear. To get the finish that you are describing they use steel shot. I can ask for some info on Monday if you want.

Let me know.............. Unless your sorted now.

I'd be interested to know more, I imagine that's more like tradition dry shot peening though? I'm guessing that steel shot would rust almost instantly in a vapour blasting situation?

Vern · Jan 15, 2016

When I had my blast cabinet I found a web site that told you everything you could possibly ever need to know from walnut shells to SS shot.The only problem is I just spent half an hour looking for it and can't find it anywhere.I'll have a look again tonight.....

igormortis · Jan 21, 2016

Nice! Are you gonna be offering that as a service?

Rob Farmer · Jul 3, 2016

Chris,

Did you ever get this fully mastered?

I am curious how you made it all work without a slurry pump.

Vapour blasting

(RIP) Tunneruk

Well-known member

Rob Farmer

Well-known member

tuftywhite

getting away with it so far!

(RIP) Tunneruk

Well-known member

Rob Farmer

Well-known member

(RIP) Tunneruk

Well-known member

(RIP) Tunneruk

Well-known member

The Other PaulG

Still searching

Gargy

Registered user

(RIP) Tunneruk

Well-known member

Vern

Toy maker

igormortis

Registered user

Rob Farmer

Well-known member

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