Looking for fine screen to sift sandblasting sand

[craigolio1]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for just what the title says.

I use the Badger sand blaster and it uses Aluminum Oxide sand.  It's very fine, almost like a dust.  Can anyone help me find some fine mesh to sift it so that it won't clog the sand blaster when I reuse the sand?  Preferably cheap and in Canada.

Thanks, Craig

[peteski]

The orifice in my badger sandblaster is rather large. Sounds like you have the same item. It should have not problem passing even relatively large debris.

As far as screen goes, I used to get mine from Small Parts Inc. They were taken over by Amazon and they have reduced their inventory. Plus their website sucks!  They might still carry fine screen I haven't cheked for a while.

Other than that, I did a quick Google search and eBay popped up. There are plenty of fine screens to chose from, but they are sold for tasks, ahem, other than sifting abrasive powder.    Still, those listings seem like a viable source for what you're looking for. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/stainless-steel-screen-mesh

I would go for mesh #100 or higher.

[Zox]

I don't have any actual experience with this, but the finest screen I've seen readily available is a kitchen product--the splatter guards/screens used to keep grease from getting out of a frying pan.

Examples:

http://www.target.com/p/harold-import-stainless-steel-splatter-screen/-/A-12825085?reco=Rec|pdp|12825085|SolrSearchToView|search_page.null_no_search_results_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|12825085|SolrSearchToView|search_page.null_no_search_results_1

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10112530/

It might be worth checking one of these out.

[TiVoPrince]

Found
a strainer at an Asian specialty market that is fine as some NWSL 100 mesh I still have around.  Only the finest aluminum oxide gets through.  I think it may be a bit too fine because only 50% seems to make it through the strainer...

[aikorob]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#sifters/=qf2r7m
take a look at the small particle sizes

McMaster will ship to Canada, or you can find something like this locally---should last forever

[u18b]

Cheap possibility.

Go to the grocery store and buy some green tea in bags.
You are looking for the ones with bags like pyramids.


Open a bag and toss the tea.
Bag is not paper, but a nylon mesh.



I've thought of using this for N scale screen.

[LV LOU]

Cheap possibility.

Go to the grocery store and buy some green tea in bags.
You are looking for the ones with bags like pyramids.


Open a bag and toss the tea.
Bag is not paper, but a nylon mesh.



I've thought of using this for N scale screen.

Lipton makes a whole line of those bags,all flavors.I'm gonna use it for screens on my CNJ Babyface castings I'm working on..

[craigolio1]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for just what the title says.

I use the Badger sand blaster and it uses Aluminum Oxide sand.  It's very fine, almost like a dust.  Can anyone help me find some fine mesh to sift it so that it won't clog the sand blaster when I reuse the sand?  Preferably cheap and in Canada.

Thanks, Craig

Maybe I'm using it wrong then.  Some sprays out just fine, then I have to shake it or bank the bottle on a hard surface.  Sometimes I have to take it apart and clean it.  I have found larger bit of paint etc but I always thought the orifice was big enough too.  I just figured sifting it would help.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Craig

[craigolio1]

The orifice in my badger sandblaster is rather large. Sounds like you have the same item. It should have not problem passing even relatively large debris.

As far as screen goes, I used to get mine from Small Parts Inc. They were taken over by Amazon and they have reduced their inventory. Plus their website sucks!  They might still carry fine screen I haven't cheked for a while.

Other than that, I did a quick Google search and eBay popped up. There are plenty of fine screens to chose from, but they are sold for tasks, ahem, other than sifting abrasive powder.    Still, those listings seem like a viable source for what you're looking for. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/stainless-steel-screen-mesh


Is #100 the same as 100 micron?
I would go for mesh #100 or higher.

[mmyers]

Your sand is probably damp. just enough moisture to clump. Make sure your moisture trap on the air line is drained. Line to the trap from compressor running down hill to the compressor with not kinks or loops to trap water.

[craigolio1]

Never mind I found a chart showing mesh number vs microns.

[craigolio1]

Your sand is probably damp. just enough moisture to clump. Make sure your moisture trap on the air line is drained. Line to the trap from compressor running down hill to the compressor with not kinks or loops to trap water.

Hmmmm.  Maybe I should get a moisture trap.

[peteski]

Found
a strainer at an Asian specialty market that is fine as some NWSL 100 mesh I still have around.  Only the finest aluminum oxide gets through.  I think it may be a bit too fine because only 50% seems to make it through the strainer...

You must be using very coarse grit.  Do you know what size it is?

The Badger aluminum oxide powder I use in my Badger sandblaster is really fine. It is similar in consistency to flour. There is no grit size mentioned on the bottle but I suspect it is around 400.

Craig, I have the same people with random hiccups while sandblasting. IIRC, this happens even with a brand new powder. The powder might be affected by humidity, or it might just be the way the powder flows.  I think that the sandblaster would work much better if it was designed to be gravity (not suction) fed. But Badger simply took their low end suction-fed airbrush, and adapted it as a sandblaster.

[craigolio1]

Thanks Peteski.

I dug out the manual and it says to sift the sand with 220 mesh, which I found equals 63 microns.  I can't find 220 mesh or 63 micron mesh so I'm going to get some 75 micron mesh.  After all, what's 12 microns?   Ebay seems to be a great source.  I found a 16" x 16" piece for about $15 shipped.  I can make a box with a screen bottom and still have some left for when it gets all plugged up.  There are 4" x 4" pieces for about $4 shipped.

Not that I want you to have troubles but I'm glad to hear it's not just me.

I have never used a moisture trap.  Is it something I really need for painting?

Thanks, Craig

[Kisatchie]

I have never used a moisture trap.  Is it something I really need for painting?

If you're using a normal compressor, then a moisture trap is highly recommended.

When I was airbrushing, I used 20 pound CO2 tanks instead of a compressor. Carbon dioxide is moisture free, so I never had to use a moisture trap.


Hmm... build a better
moisture trap, and the
world will beat a path to
your door... and try to
steal it...