posted
Hey gang, I want to make a headstone for my dad's grave, and I need to find out some advice, all I can about blasting granite, but specifically how much HP/PRESSURE am I gonna need? I figure the headstone would cost 12-1500 bucks if I had it made, but that seems senseless since I was gonna design it anyway. I have blasted wood/foam but never stone. Whatever help someone could give would be much appreciated!
posted
Taz, Silica sand at 125 psi will do it but it's slow. Some black beauty or aluminum oxide abrasive at higher psi would be better. I would use at least a 7.5hp compressor which delivers about 25cfm but it will take a while. I have even done it with a 5 horse at 9 cfm but it was really s l o w. You're better off with a big gas-powered compressor which will deliver more volume of air.
What stencil are you using? I have had good success with Anchor stencils, but use the thick kind which is for stone. Use high tack stencil too. The kind made for wood will work but you have to keep the nozzle moving to keep from burning the stencil. the pvc stencils(Hartco)seem to burn faster than the rubber ones do.
Once again, you're better off using the biggest compressor you can find.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7404 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
about 100 lbs @about 75 cfm i am not sure but i think that is what my buddy in the monument biz told me.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Kid youll need several Test Pecices to get the right feel. like a musican and the Instrament. all these pressures are all good but whats good for you. maybe 15 to 25 cfm but what size tip 3/32 1/8 on up. i start with the smallest i can find,and cut back on what i run thru it. Bye Good Luck
-------------------- Danny Bussell Tujunga, California
Bootleg on Chat
"Keep The Rubber Side Down" Posts: 213 | From: Tujunga, California | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
do you have a sandblaster? the one with the bigg pot and hose. you cant rent these, at least not here. i barrowed the blaster from where my wife works....held 3 40 lb bags. for the compressor i went to HERTZ rentals on a friday afternoon bout 3 pm. picked up one of those diesel compressors on 4 wheels. the one i rented was 185 CFM!!!!!!! now that air!!! careful with it....at that pressure the air hose breaks ...the air will cut you in half!!!!!! if you pick it up friday you can use it sat-sun and return it mon before noon.....they will charge you for A ONE DAY RENTAL!!!! mine was $50!!!!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Have you thought about getting in good with a monument company (somebody that's already set up and knows how to do it)and get them to blast your design for a resonable fee or even in a barter or trade? That has always worked for me- I try to find someone in the biz and smooze them a little, maybe offer to paint them something (or in the case of most good ol' boys- get 'em a case of beer! )A little creative bartering goes a long way. I've had my shop painted, shop wired, computers repaired, autos towed, and a bunch of other stuff just by bartering with people who were in the biz. Just an idea, as I have tried unsuccesfully to blast some stuff- only to end up letting someone better equipped to do it in a fraction of the time or effort.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1736 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks gang for all the replies, I appreciate it.
Special thanks to Danny, I haven't been called "KID" in quite a few years....(what can I say, photoshop tops botox any day! LOL)
Michael, good suggestion ,and one I have thought of,one I am keeping in the back of my mind, but as for bartering with a monument company,don,t most of them do signage too? all the ones I know of plot vinyl as well as stencil material for their work.....the couple of them that i know do, anyway.
thanks again for all the helpful stuff....as well as the not so...
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
)A little creative bartering goes a long way. I've had my shop painted, shop wired, computers repaired, autos towed, and a bunch of other stuff just by bartering with people who were in the biz. Just an idea, as I have tried unsuccesfully to blast some stuff- only to end up letting someone better equipped to do it in a fraction of the time or effort.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic