Hi 46 1/2,
I used this guy specifically.
http://www.tscstores.com/stage/mainhome.php#loadFG_395451It's a siphon feed sandblaster and great for small parts, but I wouldn't even think of using it on something like my frame. You can pick one of these up at Harbor Freight for $20 I'm sure. (I'm in Canada) I used it in a cabinet I built myself out of an small shipping box. It had a blower connected to a dryer vent sucking the dust out. My first attempt without a vent had me stop blasting after 10 seconds - couldn't see a thing!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/wmhatfield/MyUnnamedToyProject#5523865059123170306I also bought 2 bags of "sand" at the same time. It's a non-silica, so "safer" to use, although I did wear a mask while blasting.
http://www.tscstores.com/stage/mainhome.php#loadFG_342910I reclaimed as much sand as I could. I poured it into a 10 gallon plastic bucket and let the siphon hose pull it from it the bucket. I only ended up using the one bag of sand, reused it about 6 or 7 times.
Anyone who does blasting themselves will tell you what a pain it is... the sand clogs alot, it has to be super dry... you need patience! But as you can see from my brake photos, well worth it.
This BTW was also my first time using a blaster - messy messy job. I recommend getting a HUGE blue tarp and placing it under what you work on, that way you can collect the old sand easy.
The other important thing worth noting is that the parts should be free of grease. My parts were FULL of grease (blown seals)... I pressure washed, or brushed them in gas to clean them.
The air hose has a tendency to build up condensation after prolonged use when blasting as well, so a filter helps alot. I picked one up at the END of my job! :P
Mark
