Sandblasting gun parts

elvis3006

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Looking into reparkerizing some of my M1 Garand parts. Can anyone recommend a decent sand blast cabinet and what type of compressor is needed 4 gallon or higher ? Thank you
 
20 gal minimum, and you can only sandblast for a couple minute or so. Bigger the better. Cabinets, Princess auto has some nice ones. I made one out of a rubbermaid for barrels, because no other cabinet were long enough.
 
If you're planning on doing rifles an old high school locker is hard to beat. They're usually well made and more than big enough. Get a piece of clear plexi for the front and cut the top or base for an air exit vent with a furnace filter to keep the media from flying off.

If you use K-Phos from KG it says to use 120 grit aluminum oxide at 40-60 psi. You need to check the cfm rating on the compressor to know how good it will work.

You need to run in the 5+ cfm range in order to not loose your mind blasting and then waiting for it to recharge. Mine's a 10 gallon and i get by pretty well.
 
If you can afford lexan instead of plexiglass it will last much longer. That sandblasting is a whirling dervish and will ruin cheap plexiglass in minutes. Sand blasting takes a huge amount of air. Sometimes its just better to pay someone to do that for you.
 
I've always used muriatic acid to peel any finish off of steel. Have to be very careful with it (if you don't know what PPE means start there), and rinse with a neutralizing agent like baking soda followed by a degreasing agent like acetone or alcohol.
 
20 gal minimum, and you can only sandblast for a couple minute or so. Bigger the better. Cabinets, Princess auto has some nice ones. I made one out of a rubbermaid for barrels, because no other cabinet were long enough.

Must it be 20 gal minimum compressor ?
 
Compressor

Would a compressor that has a max of 130 PSI be good enough or should it be higher ?

Get a compressor that's at least 120PSI and has lots of CFM, my little princess auto sand blast cabinet requires 5CFM @ 80 PSI. I run a 30 Gallon compressor and have to wait for it to build pressure quite a bit It's rated 7.4 CFM @ 40PSI - 5.7 @ 125PSI. get the 60 Gallon compressor, thats going to be my next purchase
 
I find the small cabinets awkward to use as dust obscures the piece being worked on. I have been using cheap sand from the local TSC store (black not white) and a Princess Auto 'spot' type blaster. I have used different sized compressors and even though big is better the value for your dollar is not there if you rarely use it. Just point away from face and body parts and let loose onto my driveway. 50+ receivers, numerous trigger groups, small internal parts,oprods and other items and all have turned out great. Safety gear is recommended.
 
So to make sure I do not remove engraving such as manufacturers marks and inspectors stamping on M1 Garands what media is good to keep it safe. Glass bead and or soda ? Is there a preference to grit, fine or medium ?
 
My little compressor will hold 40-50 psi running constantly. With aluminum oxide, it produces a nice matte finish in a benchtop cabinet. I made a port in one side, closed with a x slit rubber sheet so that barrels can be done half and half. Always connect a vacuum cleaner to reduce dust, and have a good light source. Engravings, stampings, etc. are not harmed at all. I prefer to park. right out of the cabinet. A larger compressor would be better; one day I will get one.
 
+ on the Muriatic Acid method - have used it for years, just degrease prior to and after the "warm" soda wash oil immediately. --- John
 
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