How much wear is normal on sand blaster parts?

[robroy]

Hi!

Is it normal to have this much wear on a sandblaster nozzle? I've only pushed maybe one hundred pounds of aluminum oxide through it at 50-120 PSI.



Here's the sandblaster for reference:



It seems like those parts wear out too quickly. Is this normal?

Thanks!
Robroy

[71PA_Highboy]

That is the problem with aluminum oxide. It EATS nozzles.

Nothice that the worst wear is on the 'first-to-open' side of the nozzle. You can mitigate this by trying to keep the deadman valve completely open or completely shut. The 'feathering of the valve causes significantly more wear.

You can also go to a less distructive media.

hth,

eric

[robroy]

Hey Eric thanks!

I wouldn't have guessed it was the media, although now that you mention it I'm remembering that aluminum oxide is supposed to be "very aggressive" as media goes.

I'm guessing that there's no such thing as a more mild media that won't also be less aggressive on whatever I'm blasting--true?

If this is just the way it has to be, I'd rather keep swapping out nozzle parts than spend any more time sandblasting than I need to. I have a lot of surface area to cover with those inner fenders and the radiator support, not to mention the hood and outer fenders (if I choose to re-do those before putting them back on).

Thanks Eric!
Robroy

[robroy]

Hey Dustin that's interesting! It's good to know that there are better things out there that don't wear out as quickly. Also good to know that my situation isn't errant in any unexplained way.

I'll just keep going through the nozzles then!

Thanks again,
Robroy