[AT] Sandblasting safety

[John Wilkens]

John, are you using the usual silica sand?  That's the stuff you have to be 
careful of.  I always work outside so there's no huge accumulation of 
silica dust in the air--but a good dual cartridge type respirator is a must 
to protect your lungs.  You probably already knew all this.  Kinda like the 
dumb warnings on ladders...."Avoid climbing on ladder as it may cause death 
or serious injury!"  A local guy that does sand blasting professionally on 
heavy equipment won't use silica sand anymore because of the health 
hazard.  He uses river bottom sand, but it's pretty rough for "delicate" 
tractor parts.   Rain-X makes a good defogger.  Get it at Walmart, 
etc.    John W.



At 05:15 PM 01/04/2006, you wrote:
>Bought a sandblaster a while back. I noticed the instructions say not to 
>use sand. I am assuming the lawyers are dictating this. Without holding 
>any of you liable, what type of respirator should I use so I can "safely" 
>use sandblasting sand? For the record I only plan to blast to clean up 
>tractor parts, not to do it 40 hours a week to make a living. Maybe for 
>2-4 hours at a time on a Saturday.
>
>Also, When it is cool outside, mid 50's or lower, I have a problem with 
>the hood fogging up on the inside when I wear a particle mask. Would a 
>paint respirator solve this?
>
>John Hall
>
>_______________________________________________
>AT mailing list
>Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at


                    In the wide-open spaces of NE Oregon