SandBlasting Equipments & Supplies

What Makes A Sandblast Helmet Perfect?

One of the most important elements of the sandblasting process is the sandblast helmet. Helmets are any of the various forms of protective head covering worn by fire-fighters and any industrial operator who need to minimize risk. In our example is the operator who handles a sandblasting equipment and needs to minimize the risk, especially for his eyes.

If the equipment is small and portable sometimes sandblast helmets are not required because all the work are made inside a small booth or cabinet, but when the scale is bigger the operators need to carry protective equipments. In this case is where sandblast helmets are completely a must.

This kind of helmets must be abrasion-resistant. This is why polyethylene helmets are recommended, due these sandblast shells are reliable, durable, and NIOSH-approved, with a high pressure control valve or low pressure constant flow valve. Beside a replaceable cape cover band is very recommendable because it prevents abrasives from entering by sealing the top of the durable nylon cape.

Sandblasting is an easy industrial technique. In fact, it’s so easy to learn and use that many people try to build their own homemade sandblast booth. Here is when the things become more complicated, because, although sandblasting booths are easy to build up, most don’t reach their desired goal.

Consider that with this article I won’t provide a detailed step-by-step guide of “how to build homemade sandblast booths”, but anyway I will provide you some examples of homemade sandblast booths I’ve discovered in Internet

The first one built small sandblast cabinet and he made it from any standard laundry tub available at any hardware or home improvement outlet. He made two holes to allow PVC couplers. Easy, isn’t it?

The second example seems to be a little bit more complicated, but, in fact it is very simple. You can find photos and information describing how to build a very simple indoor sandblasting booth from 6-mil plastic sheeting and a 2×2 wood frame.

http://www.fordification.com/my67-p12.htm

You probably know that sandblasting is the process of smoothing, shaping and cleaning a hard surface by smashing solid tiny particles across that surface at ultra high speeds.
This process is very simple but powerfully effective. Final result is similar to that of using sandpaper, but this technique provides a more even finish with no problems at corners or crannies.

One of the most important parts or components of this industrial technique is the sandblasting grit. Other materials for sandblasting have been developed to be used instead of grit; for example, steel shots, copper slag, glass beads (bead blasting), metal pellets, dry ice, garnet, powdered abrasives of various grades, powdered slag, and even ground coconut shells or corncobs have been used for specific applications and produce distinct surface finishes. The grit used in sandblasting must be sieved to a uniform size.

Therefore, important points to consider regarding sandblasting grit are:

1.- Size and quality of the grit
2.- Methods of grit recovery.

Here you have a video about how powerful is the sandblasting technique.