sandblast

I've just started experimenting with sandblasting too. What grade of grit is best? I'm working with 80 grit at the moment but maybe I should go coarser?

Cheers

Paul

I've done a little glass blasting-- I used the fine sand-- Masked the glass off with three or four sheets of plastic shelf liner & used a knife to cut my design. With sand blasting, make sure you use a booth for the blasting & do it in a well ventilated area with dust mask-- (read the warnings on the sand bag) The silica dust is REALLY bad for you-- The glass I did this on was red flashed glass ( red on one side)

-- worked really well & left a frosty surface.

Thanks for responding. This is what I was needing to know. I am wanting to give it a try on small items just for fun. I was planning on getting a small blasting cabinet for it. I thought the dust would be contained but probably not. So it will become a backyard thing to do. With a dustmask, that works.

Do you have any experience with the glass etch> I've done a little glass blasting-- I used the fine sand-- Masked the

I havn't done it myself, but was at a Trent Bosch turning demo recently where he was talking about using ground (not beaded) glass for sandblasting. Also, he uses electrical tape to mask in detailed areas of his turnings. The product looked great. I have worked for sign shops that did sandblasting, they use a product called "butter cut", which is a self adhesive, easily cut kinda thick rubber sheet. It resists blasting best, but is a bit expensive. Cuts easily (hence the name) with a craft knife.

I've used regular masking tape to protect areas during sandblasting. Works well and you probably have it on hand.

-- Martin Long Island, New York

===========================

The "glass etching goo" is hydroflouric acid, and it can be some nasty stuff. Treat it like you would battery acid and you'll be OK. You have to have a good masking material for your pattern. It takes about 5 minutes to etch a glass piece with this stuff.

Ken Moon Webberville, TX