i just got a Sandblaster and was basting with "play sand" and i was reading the back of the bag and it says not for sandblasting any idea why ?

Warning from
Product Label: If sand is used for sandblasting, please see caution on PAKMIX sandblasting specification sheet. Warning, Inhalation Hazard: Avoid inhalation of dust from this product, which contains crystalline silica that causes lung disease and cancer. Use with mechanical ventilation or respiratory protection
(dust mask).

Causes all sorts of nasty things longterm.

probably because it has pebbles in it?

The play sand I had was too fine and dusty to do much good in the sandblaster. Even with a good mask, my lungs were irritated and I would never want to go through that again. Wait until the contractor supply store opens Tuesday and get some 50 grit blasting sand. Your lungs will thank you for it.

I found the playsand tends to clump more too, maybe thats just a florida humidity thing though. Best bet for the buck, take yourself to harbor freight and they sell aluminum oxide for dirt cheap, works great in most applications. I think they have blast sand too, the other stuff seems to be better all around for me though

Nobody likes cancer, and even if you don't get that, nobody likes silicosis

No matter what kind of sandblasting media you use, you need to use a respirator. Not just a dust mask, I have had my own blaster for years and found that just a dust mask will keep most of the crap out of your nostrils, but you will still end up with a lot of dust in your nostrils, and if you have it in your nostrils then it’s in your lungs to.

No matter what you use, WEAR A RESPERATOR..

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quote Originally posted by Scott-Wa: Warning from Product Label: If sand is used for sandblasting, please see caution on PAKMIX sandblasting specification sheet. Warning, Inhalation Hazard: Avoid inhalation of dust from this product, which contains crystalline silica that causes lung disease and cancer. Use with mechanical ventilation or respiratory protection (dust mask). Causes all sorts of nasty things longterm.

What Scott said, in addition to inconsistant(sp?) media size.

Give the sand back to your kids before you kill yourself.

Wear a respirator no matter what you use as media. Eye and skin protection as well.
The learning curve is almost immediate anyway.

Even more dangerous than media or sand blasting, is fiberglass grinding or sanding. As said above, ALWAYS wear a respirator.

[This message has been edited by Vonov (edited 12-27-2006).]