Speed Bead is the next media to consider. Similar to Glass Beads in terms of content, Speed Bead is the first abrasive mentioned here that contains aluminum oxide. While this means Speed Bead has a faster cut time than Glass Beads, it must be considered that the metal in Speed Bead can impregnate itself in the material being blasted. This may not be ideal if the material is to be polish or if foreign objects are not desired in or around the surface, such as on an aluminum intake manifold. The selling point of Speed Bead is the fact that the aluminum oxide added, about 50 percent, makes the media the best-lasting of the aforementioned abrasives. This may not mean much for the lone guy at home, but Speed Bead could prove very beneficial for a larger shop using its blasting facilities daily.
There are other abrasive medias sold by TP Tools that can be considered as well, and although they may not sell as well as the featured four, they all have their place. Walnut Shells Abrasive is an organic byproduct of the agriculture industry and is good for light-duty paint and carbon removal. This abrasive is often used by the aviation industry for cleaning carbon deposits from engine internals, where an aluminum oxide media may impregnate itself. Walnut shells of different forms are often combined with other medias, such as Glass Beads, as was used to blast my roadster body.
The lifespan of Walnut Shells is the shortest of the abrasives discussed here due to its ease of pulverization. Skat Plus Plastic Abrasive is a great abrasive for cleaning plastic and fiberglass surfaces because of its rather unaggressive nature, but it will not remove rust or other corrosion. Plastic Abrasive is relatively safe to use around unmasked glass if the media is not tainted, and it's good for removing paint and light oxidation. Unlike Walnut Shells and Plastic, Steel Grit, Aluminum Oxide, and Silicon Carbide all contain metal and are aggressive abrasives. Used mainly in the industrial field or where heavy paint, rust, and scale removal is necessary, Steel Grit is extremely fast-cutting on rusty metal and leaves a smooth finish on metal. Aluminum Oxide and Silicon Carbide abrasives are extremely efficient on rusty metal and are among the longest-lasting abrasive medias due to the ability to withstand pulverization. The drawback to this aggressive nature is the shortened lifespan of the blasting components.
Choosing which abrasive to use can be determined by many different factors. A rusty Ford axle, for example, could be blasted with any of the abrasives mentioned. The difference is going to be how long it takes to remove all the rust and scale, and the finish that is left when the job is done. If it were a brass or copper item, such as a tank or catch can, a less-aggressive abrasive would be more appropriate. Although TP Tools recommends Skat Magic to the majority of its customers because of its longevity and medium aggression, that doesn't mean it's right for every application. Other abrasives may yield a better finish or get the job done quicker; just remember that the abrasive is doing the job, not the air pressure. TP Tools recommends 80 psi on all of its blasting cabinets, and Don at Orange County Sandblasting says he runs slightly less than that for most jobs. Turning up the pressure will only pulverize the media faster and shorten the longevity of the abrasive.

Skat's best seller, the 960...

Skat's best seller, the 960 Pro Blaster, is 46 inches wide and features an incorporated vacuum to suck the dust out of the cabinet and improve visibility. This cabinet also utilizes a foot pedal that provides a more hands-free operation.

Skat Magic is an environmentally...

Skat Magic is an environmentally safe abrasive made from recycled auto glass and other clear glass products. Slightly faster than glass beads, Skat Magic gives the blasted metal a medium texture.

Glass Beads is great for leaving...

Glass Beads is great for leaving a satin-smooth finish on brass, aluminum, and other soft metals. It also removes carbon, rust, and scale from pistons, rods, and other under-the-hood items.

Glass Beads is also excellent...

Glass Beads is also excellent for delicate work, such as removing the paint from this Packard headlight, while Skat Magic could tackle the crud on the carburetor in less time.

First Choice is a popular...

First Choice is a popular abrasive for fast removal of rust, paint, and scale while providing a flat, very fine finish and good visibility in the cabinet. First Choice will not embed itself in the metal since it is made from rounded synthetic granules.

Speed Bead is a premium mix...

Speed Bead is a premium mix of abrasives, which cuts five times faster than Glass Beads and leaves a satin-smooth finish. Highly recommended for general automotive parts cleaning and finishing, Speed Bead contains 80-grit Aluminum Oxide Abrasive and 50-80-grit Glass Beads to combine the longevity of aluminum oxide with the less aggressive characteristics of Glass Beads.

A great abrasive for detail...

A great abrasive for detail work, Walnut Shells Abrasive provides slower rust and paint removal than Glass Beads, but it results in a much smoother finish. Walnut shells will not etch or scratch aluminum, glass, or chrome and they are popular for use on internal engine and transmission parts, as they won't embed in the surface of the material being blasted.

Used to strip aluminum aircraft,...

Used to strip aluminum aircraft, Plastic Abrasive is perfect for stripping paint and light oxidation, all with no dust to leave visibility inside the cabinet very clear. It also removes surface rust from tools, gears, and parts without affecting dimensions or etching the surface.

Aluminum Oxide Abrasive is...

Aluminum Oxide Abrasive is long lasting and considerably more aggressive than Glass Beads, making short work of rust and paint removal. The drawback is its aggressive nature, which shortens component wear.

Extremely fast-cutting on...

Extremely fast-cutting on rusty metal, Steel Grit provides comparable wear resistance and cost to most abrasives while leaving a smooth finish.