Raw Lower Blasting

[SweetPotato]

Could anyone help recommend specification for tool need for blasting raw lower?
I could borrow air compressor but not quite sure what is really needed to do a good job at it. Would something like below work?

Media: $54.95+$16.95 (shipping)
Aluminum Oxide # 120 Grit - 55 LBS - Brown Sand Blasting Abrasive Media

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Oxide-120-Grit-55-LBS-Brown-Sand-Blasting-Abrasive-Media-/111885170689?hash=item1a0ce03801:g:tvAAAOSwBahU~2Or

Blasting Cabinet + Gun: $119.99+Tax (pickup)
Benchtop Blast Cabinet (10 CFM @ 100PSI MAX 125PSI)

http://www.harborfreight.com/abrasive-blast-cabinet-42202.html

Air Compressor:
21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor (5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI, 4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI)

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-gal-25-hp-125-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-61454.html

Quick Connector: $4.99+Tax (pickup)
Brass Industrial Quick Coupler Set 5 Pc

http://www.harborfreight.com/brass-industrial-quick-coupler-set-5-pc-62696.html

Air Hose: $15.99+Tax (pickup)
3/8 in. x 25 ft. Premium Rubber Air Hose

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-x-25-ft-premium-rubber-air-hose-61936.html

Dust Mask 5 pack: $1.79+Tax (pickup)

http://www.harborfreight.com/dust-and-particle-mask-5-pk-62606.html

Goggle: Shooting goggle
Ear Protection: Shooting Muff

Thanks.

[LeadFarmer74]

AR15barrels would know the answer to this question.

[Arnelcheeze]

you going to using those tools a lot? if not just take it to OC custom coating

http://occustomcoating.com/

[SweetPotato]

Thanks Arnel, their site doesn't have the price for blasting. I don't really have any plan to use the tool much aside this at the moment but the other provider quoted $60 per hour for blasting service and I simply don't know how long does it take to blast 1 lower (I got a few). So I want to see if the economy works out better this way.

[swell1957]

I've done lowers at $20/ea. If you bring in a bunch it's less. Should take about 5-10 minutes each.

What are you prepping for? If you are blasting for Cerakote it requires 100-120 grit aluminum oxide. Harbor Freight doesnt carry that.

[SAGISI]

Where are you located? If you're in the Bay Area I can help you out.

[SAGISI]

The harbor freight blast cabinet works well when you modify it with higher end components and seal all the joints. If you plan on Cerakoting go with 100 or 120 grit aluminum oxide or garnet. I would say the minimum size compressor would be 25 gallons but even a 25 gallon will not keep up with the amount of air volume a blast cabinet needs. You would have to wait until the compressor fills up and then only be able to blast effectively for 30-40 seconds. Make sure before you blast you degrease the lowers in acetone.

[SweetPotato]

Thanks SAGIS, Swell1957

I am just preparing them for type III Anodizing and I am in So Cal. I only 5 of them. The engraver recommended that I blast them before anodizing when I got them engraved.

1. I suppose that you could blast them without cabinet but you would lose the media, right?
2. For anodizing, is the 100/120 grit aluminum oxide still work?
3. How many gallons of media will be good for the job?
4. Is 20lb blaster good enough?

[ar15barrels]

120 grit aluminum oxide will give you a REALLY flat looking finish.
I think glass beads look better under anodizing, but glass beads won't hide toolmarks as well as sandblasting.
I am in Van Nuys and I do blasting cheaper than you could buy the supplies to do it yourself.

[SweetPotato]

sandblast = aluminum oxide?

[boludo12]

This?? My friend built one and he has done amazing work with it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Sand-Blaster-50-in-an-hour/

[SweetPotato]

This?? My friend built one and he has done amazing work with it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-...50-in-an-hour/

What kind of media did he use for blasting raw lower?

lol, with the list that I have, I still have to get an air compressor. Thought that "20 lb. Pressurized Abrasive Blaster" is the air compressor built in.

[swell1957]

I would check with the anodize shop before committing to getting all this equipment. They should be set up to blast parts.

[SweetPotato]

As I said above, they charge $60 per hour to do blasting.

[Rhyyke]

Ask them how many they can do in an hour. According to swell it should take about 10 minutes each, so they can probably knock them all out in an hour. If they want $60 an hour then you can tell em to pound sand and do it yourself.