Need help: blasting

[Control]

I'm finishing up my first complete build of a caspian 1911 and I could use some help with the final finish. I was hoping to bead blast the piece myself.

1) What grit of aluminium oxide do most folks use on stainless steel?

2) I factored in the cost of a small blasting cabinet ($100) to my expenses and figured I could use my existing compressor. I am learning that many blasting cabinets require a very high CFM (cubic feet per minute) at 90PSI to really get the job done. This means a $400-$500 or so 90PSI @ 10CFM compressor that I was hoping not to buy to just finish my 1911. I did find a smaller cabinet that *says* it works at 90PSI @ 5CFM. Compressors of that size are much cheaper ($120 or so). Does anybody have any experience with these smaller cabinets and smaller air compressors when blasting? In short, I would really like to figure out how to do a quality job myself without spending $400-$500 for a 90PSI @ 10CFM monster compressor.

Thanks for any advice or help.

 

[gb6491]

I've used a similar spec cabinet and a HF 5 SCFM @ 90 PSI compressor for blasting. I've also used the compressor outside with a spot blast gun (if you don't mind losing the media and wear a respirator). They'll get the job done, but you sometimes need to let the compressor play catch up. You can limit the amount of "catch up' needed by blasting in bursts.
I use mostly 80 grit glass bead and 70 grit AO. Different textures can be achieved by varying blast pressure and work piece distance.
Here are some pieces I've done with that setup:




Regards,
Greg

 

[Control]

Greg, your work looks excellent. As a hobbyist (and not a pro who needs to beadblast at volume), taking it slow at 5 CFM @ 90 PSI is preferebale to buying a $500+ 10 CFM @ 90 PSI setup in my opinion. I'm going to pick up the cheaper 5 CFM @ 90 PSI setup with 70 grit AO and hope for results as good as yours. I appreciate your advice.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

IMO you should give glass beads a try first, it does leave a nice 'sheen' on ss. for scratches you may have to use ao to blend them in though but be easy and slow.