Proper disposal of abrasive?

[DanS HJ-45]

So, I've got an abrasive blast cabinet. It gets a lot of use. But my abrasive only lasts about 6 months or so before it gets too dull and just doesn't cut well anymore. So, I've always drained it, and I've now got a fairly large stash of pretty fine glass beads that I should get rid of.

What's the right way to get rid of it? It's just very fine crushed glass basically, so I don't think there's anything real nasty in there, but I don't really like the idea of just dumping it out.

I'm guessing the landfill is the best option, but just asking...

Dan

 

[Joe_E]

I would put it in small bags and put them in the trash a couple at a time personally.
The material will be going back to the earth from wence it came.
I have a nice cabinet I bought from TP Tools over the winter and have yet to hook it up.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I would put it in small bags and put them in the trash a couple at a time personally.
The material will be going back to the earth from wence it came.
I have a nice cabinet I bought from TP Tools over the winter and have yet to hook it up.

We haul our own trash around here, so this may take a while.... Maybe I'll just ask at the transfer station what to do with it, since I also need to dispose of the sludge out of the old parts washer too...

We've got a Skat cabinet. It rules. Use the Skat Magic that came with it, it is by far the best all around abrasive I've yet found. The stuff that I'm getting rid of has blasted most of the parts for a 40, and two other large old trucks over the past couple years or so.

Dan

 

[Joe_E]

Mine's a 780-TL Skat. Glad to here you like yours, it sure looks like a well designed unit.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I think it is worth a call to your solid waste district or other trash admin. In my town you can dump, for free, ANY hazmat. I have brought pick-up truck loads of paint, oil, mystery oil, spoiled gas...and other poisons to them. They would rather spend the money up front to dispose properly than have it seep in a landfill. Just call them and ask if it is hazmat related and how to properly dispose of it. It might be completely harmless.

 

[vtcruiser60]

TP TOOLS SKAT question....

What's CFM on your compressors for running the Skat cabinets. I have an IR 60 gallon compressor that runs 11.5 cfm at 90psi....but my harbor freight cabinet seems like it operates poorly even using skat magic.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

TP TOOLS SKAT question....

What's CFM on your compressors for running the Skat cabinets. I have an IR 60 gallon compressor that runs 11.5 cfm at 90psi....but my harbor freight cabinet seems like it operates poorly even using skat magic.

That's about the size of our compressor. The Skat cabinet is MUCH more efficient than a HF unit (yeah, we had one of those). We still have to let the compressor catch up every so often, but for the most part, I can blast one bracket entirely without stopping. The design of the skat pickup tube and the nozzle seems to make a huge difference in air efficiency to me.

Good idea on calling and asking. I think I'll do that tomorrow.

Dan

 

[Pinion]

Run a strong magnet around in there if you're worried about metal.

Otherwise, dig a hole or toss it in the trash.

 

[shelfboy1]

i take mine to the township building and put it in the sand pile for the roads in the winter.but you may not have snow.or you can put it in a real nice box like my brother in law does and put it out by the road ,and in the morning its gone .good luck

 

[H2o]

There is going to be a bunch chemicals from what you have been blasting (old paint, lead, etc) that would technically need to be disposed of properly. Ask a local sand blasting shop and see where it needs to be legally disposed of.

But it seems like we are decades behind the times in terms of recycling in the USA. I just went to dump a tv and they just told me to throw it in the with the mixed trash. I was really surprised. Had to pay 3$ for that too...

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Depends on your municipality. In my county they separate electronics at our transfer station. The only thing I object to and understand the reason, is the 5 gallon daily limit for used oil dumpage. For me, one oil change per vehicle is over 4 gallons. Trying to save resources and gas involved in the trip to the station, to compile oil changes over a period of time doesn't sway the transfer station guys when I show up with 2-3 5gallon containers...

After all we wouldn't want the commerical guys getting their oil dumped for free.

 

[lowtops]

TP TOOLS SKAT question....

What's CFM on your compressors for running the Skat cabinets. I have an IR 60 gallon compressor that runs 11.5 cfm at 90psi....but my harbor freight cabinet seems like it operates poorly even using skat magic.

The key is matching your nozzle and jet to the cfm of your compressor. I have a craftsman 60g that only puts out 9 cfm @ 90. I have been using the medium size nozzle with everything from sand, (don't use sand) to walnut shells, to skat magic and progress is slow. I will buy small nozzles next time.

The cabinet itself should not make much difference, the gun set up will. I use a Northern Tool gun with Skat nozzles because I didn't like the way the Skat gun fit my hand.

From Skat regarding nozzle size:
small: 4-8 cfm
medium: 10-15 cfm
large: 20-25 cfm

I have the 780 TL and love it. It makes a huge difference in prep quality and the shop vac feature is nice.

HTH