Soda blasting advise please

[Oliver44]

Hello all

I have decided that I am going to purchase a soda blasting kit.
But I don't want to get the wrong type.
I will be using it for engines, carbs, but also chassis at some point.

My questions are:

Is 10kg type of blaster big enough or do you need to top it up every 5 mins?

Is 40kg type advised?

What spec soda would you recommend for engine parts and would you recommend a different type for chassis?

Do you know where a reasonably priced soda blaster can be bought? Or is it eBay time again?

Many thanks

Olly

[SteveGoodman]

.

[MikBK77]

There is an earlier post about this.
viewtopic.php?f=195&t=2001
It includes a link to an article about an easy DIY version.
http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-t ... a_blaster/
and a video
http://www.garagenight.tv/diy-soda-blas ... rig-cheap/

[Oliver44]

Thanks, I saw that thread, which is what got me interested in soda blasting.

But it does not answer my original questions.

Anyone out there been using one that can answer them.

Thanks very much

Oliver

[Ivan Turner]

Hi Oliver,
I built my own and successfully blasted engine cases and carburettors, I used the industrial compressor at work so had an excellent supply of air at 7bar pressure, however this proved insufficient to remove any heavy paint deposits. For that I had to switch to the sand blasting equipment the company has.

For DIY use I would think you should expect good cleaning capability but poor heavy paint removal capability.

I purchased the blasting media from FROST, and it comes in 25kg bags, for that I managed to clean 3 engins cases and decoke 3 barrels and a couple of carburettors. The bag cost something like £40.00 but I cannot remember exactly.
It makes a hell of a mess but is water soluble.

Just for information I found the best results were with a high through put of media in the air stream, at lower volume flow rates the results were a bit frustrating and you spent longer going over the same bits.

Hope this helps,
Ivan

[silverstripes]

Hi all

The original post about soda blasting was mine. I can confirm realy good results with the DIY kit with the engines and carbs. The kit is no more than plastic hose and your compressor with a air blast gun. I used baking soda as it cleans the alloys without being too aggresive. The main benifit is it washes away in warm water so no residue. Of course bearings need to be removed etc.

I did both motors and 3 carbs with 3kg of soda. If you use a cardboard box with the components in then you can recycle a fair bit od soda and therefore use the medium to blast twice. Do remember to weat a mask and eye protection and be prepared to end up white but it washes off.

My advice is to try the DIY kit as you will be suprised with the result for little outlay. It will not be aggresive enough for the chassis. I had mine grit blasted as this removes all paint back to bare metal. But on motors and carbs the reults are great.

Does this info answer all your questions if not come back with any specifics.

Adrian

[Oliver44]

Many thanks or all the info guys.

It is a great help.

I think I might go down the 10kg route.
Cheaper, smaller blaster

See how I get on.

[Oliver44]

But the 40kg one has a conversion kit with it, which means I can blast soda and also sand.

That could be the answer to cleaning motors and also stripping chassis.

But it's £200 including the grit.

Might have to wait for Santa to help me out.

[cross]

Thers a Karting lad in Oldham with a vapour blasting machine, hes doing a few old bike engine parts with good results, if you want the number give me nudge.