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Walnut shell blasting media

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gtrack07/10/2011 12:25:26
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25 forum posts
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Hi, apologies if this is in the incorrect section.
 
I have several aluminium castings that have been sat around for a long time and have all kinds of gunk and stains on them. I usually stick them in the sonic cleaner and this is very effective on general stains and gunk but these are a bit beyond that.
 
I am fortunate enough to have aquired a blast cabinet which came with `oxide powder` that is very good but seems to leave the castings a bit rough.....ideally I would like something to remove the heavy carbon/grime but leave the original finish which I can then just put in the cleaner to finish.
 
I have been advised to use walnut shell (not sure which grade though) but am having trouble locating some, does anyone know of any suppliers that they use or know of which are reasonable? The few I have tried want a bulk order and a delivery charge that seems a bit steep.
 
Many thanks
 
James.
Phil P07/10/2011 13:06:12
851 forum posts
206 photos
Hi James
 
I work in the design department of a company that sells Walnut Shell blast media.
 
If you ring our after sales dept and ask if they can sell you a sample tub, it might work out cheaper than a whole bag if you have only a few parts to blast.
 
There is a PDF file with all the details of Walnut Shell here:-
http://www.guysonlib.co.uk/lib/consumables/guyson_walnut_shell_blast_media_datasheet.pdf
 
Regards
Phil
Brian in OZ07/10/2011 21:02:21
63 forum posts
GTRACK
Hi, crushed walnut shell is used by the shooting fraternity in tumblers to clean up used brass cases of either pistol or rifle rounds prior to re-loading the ammunition. It is usually available in 1Kg bags from your local gun store. have been out of the sport for a few years now so can't remember the cost
The tumblers are very usefull for cleaning all sorts of small metal parts, three or four hours in the tumbler will clean most up very nicely.
Brian in OZ
Bubble07/10/2011 21:15:47
75 forum posts
6 photos
Hi
 
How about:
 
 
regards
 
Jim
 
 
gtrack08/10/2011 09:39:27
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25 forum posts
6 photos
Guys
 
Thats real useful info. Many thanks, i`ll give the links a look see.
 
Ozzy Brian, love the tumbler idea, I have lots of small parts that are a pain to keep cleaned up so that sounds like just the ticket i`ll have to rig up a little tumbler.
 
Jim, is the walnut bedding the same stuff? Looks similar, I guess a trip to the local pet shop is on the cards Monday......as long as its not (as I find with most pet products) too expensive!
 
Cheers,
James.
 
C`mon England.
Ian S C08/10/2011 13:27:01
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7468 forum posts
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I used to use the Wallnut shell blasting when I was overhauling Contenental aero engines, used for decarbing pistons and cylinders, and the valves.
The tumbler is good for cleaning up, but would tend to round the corners of components, this may not matter in a lot of cases, if you are not careful the blasting will do that on aluminium.
A nice finish can be given to alloy castings with a harder grit, such as glass that is available here in a number of grades, its not too expensive (they'v got too get rid of the recycled glass some how) Ian S C
 
Speedy Builder508/10/2011 19:07:34
2878 forum posts
248 photos
I live in a converted walnut mill in SW France - wondered what they did with the old shells. Now I know. They also used as a lubricant for oil well drilling. Unfortunately I don't have a sack of old shells.
gtrack08/10/2011 20:14:40
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25 forum posts
6 photos
Cheers
 
Im not sure what the powder I have now is, I was given it with the cabinet, it faintly has oxide powder written on the bag and like I say its ok on castings but leaves them a little rough and the look is not great.
 
The idea of the tumbler for the small parts is a great one and I like the idea, as Ian says, that it`ll round the edges off, that`ll actually be a bonus on the small rocker arms etc...
 
Gonna get down the pet shop Monday and see if they have any in and try it, like the idea of being able to get it on the high street, just hope the grade is suitable.
 
Thanks
 
James

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