Soda Blasting

[Pzokes]

I found this homemade soda blaster on a VW website.....yeah, I play with VW's too.
 
I built one this weekend.  It works real good, but you get soda everywhere.  You have to use it outside. I bought some 4 lb boxes of Arm & Hammer at the local mart.  It took 1/2 box to do the Linkert.  I'm doing a set of really dirty Harley cases now. I've used 2 boxes, and will touch them up with part of a third box.  Clean up is easy.  Wash the part in warm water, and hose down the driveway. 

I've included a picture of my original carb, my homemade blaster, and my half cleaned carb.  The link to building one is:  http://www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

[CraigArizona85248]

Very cool!  Looks super simple.  I'll definitely be trying that trick.

-Craig

[stroker800]

  Thats to funny,,HD guys with VWs...I have made same blaster,,from same site...I own a70 KG..I did a SU carb ,,outside as you said ,,but kept getting plugged up feed tube..was slower than expected. Was thinkin buyin a 2nd cheap ass bead blaster and filling with soda..The crazy think is I can buy different blaster media (walnut,crushed glass,aluminum oxide) cheaper than soda..Good job..
Dave

[Pzokes]

I added a little length on the stick so  I can move it around in the box easier to keep it flowing.  I only had it jam up once at the spot where the cut in the hose is.  My soda was getting damp from the wet air from my compresser.

I have a cheap Harbor Freight bead blaster that I have filled with glass bead.  What I had happen with this is that the gloves melted from the 90 degree summer heat in my garage.  They are also a venturi blaster, and are slow too...It's going in the yard sale.  I also have a Harbor Freight 30 ton press that is going in the yard sale too.  I had to weld it together and weld in shims, to keep it from cocking when pressing anything out......I'm over Harbor Freight.   

I checked the prices on media through Eastwood, and the prices are comparable.  I do have trouble getting it locally.  That link from the VW website to "Garage Night" http://www.garagenight.tv/diy-soda-blasting-build-your-own-rig-cheap/#more-312 , suggests going to a oriental foods supermarket for large quanities of soda cheap.  Don't know what they use it for.  I do like using soda on carbs and inside motor cases, because it washes right out instead of getting embedded in the casting pores. 

Opps, looks like it might not be good for grass.  I had a little grass turn black where I washed some of the soda in.

[CraigArizona85248]

The real beauty of soda blasting is that after a quick bath in water, there is not media to possibly be stuck in an oil passage that can ruin your day when you fire up the motor after reassembly.

-Craig