Sandblasting/Glass Carving ???

I have a project in mind that involves corporate/organizational logos carved into ceramic coffee mugs and also into stock 3/16" thick bevels, incorporating them into a suncatcher.

As a test, I had a local sign place make me some vinyl resists with the logo, which I transferred to some mugs for testing. My first products were not "crisp", in that where I blasted away the ceramic glaze did not leave a sharp edge.

So, it brings at least 2 questions up.

First, I think that I was spraying a much too wide pattern with the blaster. I felt like I wasn't able to concentrate the grit stream where I wanted it....

Second, I think I was using too coarse of a grit.

I'd appreciate some guidance as to the size of the nozzle for the blaster, and what mesh grit should I be using? Air pressure?

Reply to
Moonraker
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Not done any ceramic blasting but know that several members of the Sandcarver forum do a lot of this.

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dont know if you can ask questions without being a member but it iseasy to join and you can set preferences not to receive the manyemails but look at the messages online. Elizabeth in UK
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Reply to
Elizabeth in UK

Hi Moonraker,

So it didn't follow the line you wanted? Did the edges of your stencil peel back?

It almost sounds like you weren't picking up enough sand in your gun. Are you using a presure pot or siphon feed?

I would be using at least 70 to 80 psi. I basicly use beach sand.

The coarser the grit, the more materail it will remove. It will leave a rougher finish. The finer grit leaves a softer finish, but removes much less material. Are you looking for depth of cut or just an even finish?

Using a smaller tip will definatley give a more concentrated cutting area.

If you want to actually carve away material and have more of a 3D effect I would try using diamond bits. Balls, points, ect....

I use 1/16" rubber sheet stock to cut my stencils out of. I use a spray can adhesive to stick then the glass. I have to be carefull with angle of my gun when shooting the edges. Shoot away from the edge, not at the edge.

Randy Hansen SC Glass Tech. Scam Diego, Comi-fornia

Reply to
Randy

Considering your signature, do you believe in respirators when using beach sand?

Reply to
Mike Firth

I believe in respirators for what ever medium you would choose to blast with. Along with that, eye protection, gloves, ear plugs, and completely covering yourself from the residual dust cloud. But that wasn't Moonrakers question.

I don't feel I have to offer a complete training session for each question I choose to answer. Especially when the person asking is a group member and shop owner. I think Moonraker knows how to take care of himself the way he sees fit. Just as I would not feel I would have to tell you to remember to wear your respirator. That is if you ever asked a question I could answer.

Frankly, if your not smart enough to take proper precautions to protect yourself, you should stay out of the shop. If you don't know how to take proper precautions you should look it up or ........ask. I'm sure you will get plenty of good advise in this group as well as others.

I'm not sure what any off that has to do with my signature however.......

My signature is just my own way of protesting the totally out of control bureaucracy governing this state and city. Most people outside of San Diego have heard of our fires. But do they know that 3 of our sitting city councilmen went in front of a grand jury after being busted by the FBI for taking bribes from Las Vegas strip club owners. Or that Moodies has black listed our city bonds. Calling them worthless because for the past 9 years our city officials have blatantly lied about the short funding of the city employees retirement fund to the tune of 2 billion dollars. That is 2 BILLION dollars that they now have to make up before they can get a good rating back to sell the bonds to fix the sewer and water systems. They need to sell the bonds because they had been robbing the sewer, police, fire and water funds for years for political payoffs to the city employee unions to get their votes, and all sorts of other pet projects. The feds are now investigating our city council because of all the corruption.

Now don't even get me started on states problems from being run a bunch of over zealous leftist premadonnas!

I'm trying to keep this short.

Randy Hansen SC Glass Tech Scam Diego, Comi-fornia

Reply to
Randy

Hey Moonraker...

If you want better control you'll need to go with a pressure blaster. I use a Harbor Freight unit that I modified with a gun and other parts from Pickard Artistic Blasting I think it is (check out the yahoo sandcarver group..Lotsa nice folks over there).. I use a 5/32 carbide nozzle and 100 grit silicon carbide. You can use finer carbide if your doing glassware etc.. I blast mainly large doors for 'Pantry' etc..

Reply to
Byron Wells

Thanks for the info...what pressures do you use?

Reply to
Moonraker

I have done it using photo resist and a pressure pot at 40psi. Abrasive is about 180 grit aluminum oxide. The smaller the grit, the finer the lines you can make, even though it takes a little bit longer. The nozzle I use is the cone shaped ceramic one they sell at Harbor Freight, I think it is about 3/16".

Reply to
Louis Cage

Usually about 40psi.. When I do onsite blasting with my recycling siphon blaster I have to use 60-70 and it eats a LOT of air..

Reply to
Byron Wells

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