Sand Carving vs Sand Blasting

I reference an article from ‘The Engravers Journal’ website that provides a brief description of the difference between sand carving and sandblasting. For our projects we don’t use sand, so there you go. Those of you familiar with sandblasting know that there are several media, grit, or abrasives used to accomplish the deed will sandblasting. We use Silicon carbide, 180 grit as our media. We have only one machine, so we try not to switch out the media. The 180 grit does provide a fine and provides smooth finish on the etched surface.

Why call it sand carving? Google it. Perhaps because it represents more of the artistic results instead of the polished carburetor or clean metal surface from an old car fender. Neither or good or not good, just different results. We did go the Harbor Freight route in the beginning. We did feel like we were working in a repair shop with just how much the machine and process generated grit and dirt. Let alone the PPE we needed.

Our machine is much cleaner and requires less upkeep. The big thing other than the loose grit in the air is the viewing window. We don’t replace it like we did several times with the Harbor Freight machine.