WarmGlass.com

The studio where I help out at is tossing around the idea of getting a sandblasting system. The studio manager asked me if the same unit could be used for BOTH glass and ceramics. He has no experience in glass ( he manages the ceramic side) and the owner is currently out on maternity leave.

So, could one system be set up for both glass and ceramics?
Can the same nozzels be used?
Same material for blasting?

Any help in terms of reference materials would be helpful as well.

Thanks in advance.

Rachel
Imaglassydiva@aol.com

YES.

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

http://www.jeanniejeannie.com/2011/10/2 ... -ceramics/

use aluminum oxide.

What Brock said.

Tony

White aluminum oxide. 120 grit is nice.

White or brown. Doesn't make a difference. Or use silicon carbide. Do not use sand, glass beads or iron slag (black magic). 120 grit is best for general use.

Tony

I stay away from the silicon carbide. Two reasons.

First is that in my opinion the use of the silicon carbide has the potential for more devit when firing glass. Lots of people say that that isn't true and you can always start a discussion about this that ends up with shouting matches.

Aluminum oxide cuts and as it does the grit wears down and the sharp cutting edges round off. It does have the potential for some fantastic static shocks when the humidity is right. Make sure to ground your sand cabinet to help eliminate this problem.

Silicon Carbide is usually at least twice as expensive as aluminum oxide. Silicon carbide last much longer than the Sic.

When the Sic makes contact with the blasted object, the granules will break down with use but the granules always facture and consequently even when the grit size gets smaller and smaller it will still cut nicely and I use it then especially for half tones.

When the AO makes contact the grits sharpness wears and the grit loses its cutting surface and makes for longer blast times.

All of this is IMHO.

Joe

KMS Tools publishes a helpful guide on buying a compressor:
http://www.kmstools.com/compressors-13000000/

Jen