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i have a relatively inexpensive solution for those who would like to sandblast or bead blast their gun parts. on my last trip through Tustin, Ca. i dropped by Harbor Salvage.
Campbell Hausfeld makes a small 30lb sand blasting kit (Model # AT125102) that contains everything you need (except a compressor) to blast. the unit i bought has a 30lb hopper that you can wear on your back, hose, and gun. you will need to purchase an adapter to connect to the air line on your compressor. i have always used quick disconnect fittings.
the unit only cost $40.00! I went to the local lumber yard and picked up a bag of 60 grit sand (under $5.00). I am sure that many of you with sand/bead blasting experience are gnashing your teeth right now. i have read several threads about using bead blasting media only, and nothing coarser than 120 grit.
well, i'm here to tell you that this works fine. i have been 'mechanically inclined' for well over 30 years now and have done plenty of sandblasting in that time. i tested the unit on some small parts to check for excessive wear -- and there was none. no hole oblangation or distortion. no excessive pitting. just a nice even surface as a prep for laying down a coat of Gun-Kote.
as a more stringent test, i blasted a part that had some surface imperfections filled with J-B weld. i fully expected the 60 grit to fully remove all of the J-B. It didn't! while it did take off a little -- as much as would be expected to change it from a smooth to a rougher texture, it did not fundamentally alter the shape or nature of the filled area.
not to believe my own eyes, i held the gun not 2 inches from the J-B filled area for 10 seconds to simulate over-kill. the stuff still would not budge. after cleaning up all of the parts, i checked the pin fit all over my 1911, and everything was the same as it was prior to blasting.
given that i am using a 30 year old 1 horse Sears compressor that is somewhat long in the tooth, i was amazed what i was able to accomplish for under $45.
i took the unit into the back yard, put on a pair of old motorcycle 'gauntlet' style golves to hold the parts and a full face shield (absolutely necessary). i did not use even half of the original 30 lb load to fully blast all of the parts of my Kimber!
if i could have figured out how to include a photo into this message, i would have...
BTW, Campbell Hausfeld is on the web at www.CHPower.com
Campbell Hausfeld makes a small 30lb sand blasting kit (Model # AT125102) that contains everything you need (except a compressor) to blast. the unit i bought has a 30lb hopper that you can wear on your back, hose, and gun. you will need to purchase an adapter to connect to the air line on your compressor. i have always used quick disconnect fittings.
the unit only cost $40.00! I went to the local lumber yard and picked up a bag of 60 grit sand (under $5.00). I am sure that many of you with sand/bead blasting experience are gnashing your teeth right now. i have read several threads about using bead blasting media only, and nothing coarser than 120 grit.
well, i'm here to tell you that this works fine. i have been 'mechanically inclined' for well over 30 years now and have done plenty of sandblasting in that time. i tested the unit on some small parts to check for excessive wear -- and there was none. no hole oblangation or distortion. no excessive pitting. just a nice even surface as a prep for laying down a coat of Gun-Kote.
as a more stringent test, i blasted a part that had some surface imperfections filled with J-B weld. i fully expected the 60 grit to fully remove all of the J-B. It didn't! while it did take off a little -- as much as would be expected to change it from a smooth to a rougher texture, it did not fundamentally alter the shape or nature of the filled area.
not to believe my own eyes, i held the gun not 2 inches from the J-B filled area for 10 seconds to simulate over-kill. the stuff still would not budge. after cleaning up all of the parts, i checked the pin fit all over my 1911, and everything was the same as it was prior to blasting.
given that i am using a 30 year old 1 horse Sears compressor that is somewhat long in the tooth, i was amazed what i was able to accomplish for under $45.
i took the unit into the back yard, put on a pair of old motorcycle 'gauntlet' style golves to hold the parts and a full face shield (absolutely necessary). i did not use even half of the original 30 lb load to fully blast all of the parts of my Kimber!
if i could have figured out how to include a photo into this message, i would have...
BTW, Campbell Hausfeld is on the web at www.CHPower.com
