couple of questions
 

I have a couple of questions.

First I'd like to get a blast cabinet. Are the better ones with included
vacuum systems such as from eastwood safe to use indoors. How much leakage
is there. Can the risk be minimized by using different media. I have two
young kids and would not want to take a risk.

Number two. I've read that carbide router bits can be used on aluminum
(6061 in this case). Is this true. Also do I need to use a speed control
on the router to slow it down or can it run full speed.

Thanks In advance

Barry

"Barry" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of questions.

First I'd like to get a blast cabinet. Are the better ones with included
vacuum systems such as from eastwood safe to use indoors. How much
leakage is there. Can the risk be minimized by using different media. I
have two young kids and would not want to take a risk.

Exactly what do you mean by inside? Certainly not near or adjacent to your
living space, IMHO. You definitely would want to use silica free, low dust
generating media and exhaust it outside. Even so, some particles in the
respirable size range are going to be floating around the blast cabinet and
could move from a garage into your living space, unless you can maintain
continuous negative air. You also have to consider any hazards from the
stuff you're blasting.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacryst...t%20Is%20Dust?

"Barry" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of questions.

First I'd like to get a blast cabinet. Are the better ones with included
vacuum systems such as from eastwood safe to use indoors. How much
leakage
is there. Can the risk be minimized by using different media.

Blast cabinets tend to lose a little dust, even with a good vacuum system.
What I do is use a squirrel cage blower and discharge the exhaust outside. I
live out in the country, where it's not a problem. If you live in a
sub-division, that might not be a solution to your problem. I strongly
suggest it as a solution if possible. It's cheaper and far more effective.
Should you choose this direction, try to use a blower that doesn't move too
much air. When you do, you also remove your media.

What's important is that you try for a negative pressure in the environment.
Remember, you're discharging compressed air in the cabinet, along with
making dust, so it has to go somewhere. The vacuum systems sold for
such cabinets do a fair job, but they're clearly a PITA because they plug
off and restrict air movement.

I have two
young kids and would not want to take a risk.

No dust is good for them, but avoid using silica sand, which creates serious
health issues for everyone concerned. I'd suggest you invest in proper
media, which costs more, but will last a long time and do a great job, and
is considerably safer. Aluminum oxide is a good idea.


Number two. I've read that carbide router bits can be used on aluminum
(6061 in this case). Is this true. Also do I need to use a speed control
on the router to slow it down or can it run full speed.

Speed in aluminum is virtually a non-issue. Fortunately, the carbide grade
used for wood is also proper for non-ferrous metals, so you can likely get
away with it, but be aware that metal grabs more than does wood. If you use
large form cutters, you're inviting serious injury. Without knowing more,
it would be difficult to give any solid advice, but, yes, in principle, you
can cut aluminum with a router. If you find you're experiencing welding of
chips on the cutter, try lubricating with some kerosene, or some WD-40,
which smells much nicer and will do the same job. It is messy.

Thanks In advance

My pleasure. Good luck------and be careful.

Harold

----------------------------------------------------
Routing AL with a wood router is OK, but wear ear protection because the
noise will be terrific.
Donald Warner

Don't let the facts interfere with your prejudices
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Donald" wrote in message
.. .

----------------------------------------------------
Routing AL with a wood router is OK, but wear ear protection because the
noise will be terrific.
Donald Warner

Wear eye, face, and arm protection as well. The system works just fine, but
the chips come off blisteringly hot, and flying at high velocity. Even when
it works without injuring you, it's often a painful operation. Same as
cutting Al plate with a table saw... works fine, but HURTS!

LLoyd

Barry wrote:

Number two. I've read that carbide router bits can be used on aluminum
(6061 in this case). Is this true. Also do I need to use a speed control
on the router to slow it down or can it run full speed.

Routers (preferrably with carbide, but not necessarily) are much used
on aluminum plate in the boatbuilding trade. In fact, you can use
pretty much any woodworking tools -- skil saw, sawzall, table saw,
even your hand plane -- to work aluminum. No worries about tool
speed.

Anything you do with woodworking tools is noisy and dangerous, and
that's even more true if you use those tools on aluminum. Wear
protective gear and be careful, and most especially pay attention to
workholding. Clamp the sh!t out of your work before you go attacking
it with a circular saw. But other'n that, no problem.

Pete

--
Artful Bodger
http://www.artfulbodger.net

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll get a good cabinet but wheel it
outdoors for use and use some of the less toxic media. I will also try to
rout my aluminum but plan to do it slowly taking only a small amount of
material at a time. Even if it takes many passes.

Thanks

Barry


"Harold and Susan Vordos" wrote in message
...

"Barry" wrote in message
...
I have a couple of questions.

First I'd like to get a blast cabinet. Are the better ones with included
vacuum systems such as from eastwood safe to use indoors. How much
leakage
is there. Can the risk be minimized by using different media.

Blast cabinets tend to lose a little dust, even with a good vacuum system.
What I do is use a squirrel cage blower and discharge the exhaust outside.
I
live out in the country, where it's not a problem. If you live in a
sub-division, that might not be a solution to your problem. I strongly
suggest it as a solution if possible. It's cheaper and far more effective.
Should you choose this direction, try to use a blower that doesn't move
too
much air. When you do, you also remove your media.

What's important is that you try for a negative pressure in the
environment.
Remember, you're discharging compressed air in the cabinet, along with
making dust, so it has to go somewhere. The vacuum systems sold for
such cabinets do a fair job, but they're clearly a PITA because they plug
off and restrict air movement.

I have two
young kids and would not want to take a risk.

No dust is good for them, but avoid using silica sand, which creates
serious
health issues for everyone concerned. I'd suggest you invest in proper
media, which costs more, but will last a long time and do a great job, and
is considerably safer. Aluminum oxide is a good idea.


Number two. I've read that carbide router bits can be used on aluminum
(6061 in this case). Is this true. Also do I need to use a speed
control
on the router to slow it down or can it run full speed.

Speed in aluminum is virtually a non-issue. Fortunately, the carbide grade
used for wood is also proper for non-ferrous metals, so you can likely get
away with it, but be aware that metal grabs more than does wood. If you
use
large form cutters, you're inviting serious injury. Without knowing
more,
it would be difficult to give any solid advice, but, yes, in principle,
you
can cut aluminum with a router. If you find you're experiencing welding
of
chips on the cutter, try lubricating with some kerosene, or some WD-40,
which smells much nicer and will do the same job. It is messy.

Thanks In advance

My pleasure. Good luck------and be careful.

Harold