• Sandblasting is the etching, carving or frosting of glass through the use of two different processes. The two processes are siphon sandblasting and pressure sandblasting. However, there are a few other tools used to create these processes and the desired results on the glass. You will need a cabinet, a dust collector, an abrasive and a compressor.
  
  

Siphon Sandblasting

• In siphon sandblasting, a container holds the abrasive. A hand-held gun that has a tube is attached to the container. As the gun handle is squeezed, compressed air is released and a vacuum is created. This vacuum sucks the sand into the hose and mixes it with the compressed air. A mixture of the two is then aimed at the glass to be etched, carved or frosted. This method is easy to control and simple to clean and maintain. However, it is not very powerful when used for deep carvings into glass.
  
  

Pressure Sandblasting

• Pressure sandblasting utilizes a closed container that is pressurized. The sand and air is mixed within the container and transferred to the hopper. Once in the hopper and the gun is squeezed, the mixture of sand and air is released. A pressure sandblasting system is very powerful and deep carvings into glass can be done quickly and efficiently. Once the system starts it will keep going until all sand and air has been released. It also becomes clogged easily and does need more adjusting.
  
  

Cabinet

• Cabinets come in a range of shapes and sizes. They protect the area outside the cabinet by minimizing leaking of the abrasive outside of the cabinet. The cabinet is well-lit and ventilated and should have easy access in and out of the cabinet while working. The size of the cabinet and the size of the doors on the cabinet will determine how large of a piece of glass can be sandblasted.
  
  

Compressor

• An air compressor is attached to the blaster and manages the air that is needed to operate the sandblaster. When used for sandblasting, an air compressor needs to be based on PSI and not horse power. PSI is cubic feet per minute at pounds per square inch. So an air compressor needs to have a 90 PSI, for example . The air compressor needs to be matched to the needs of the sandblaster requirements.
  
  

Dust Collector

• A dust collector is used to collect the dust and materials that are released when sandblasting. The dusk collector is attached to the cabinet, and there is negative pressure created to suck the debris from the cabinet. There is a vent on the dust collector that should be outside the sandblasting cabinet; however, a filter can be applied if this is not possible.
  
  

Abrasive

• Abrasive is the material used to sandblast glass. The two types of abrasives available for sandblasting are aluminum oxide or silicon carbide. Aluminum oxide is less expensive then silicon carbide; however, it will not last as long as silicon carbide will. Aluminum oxide breaks down more quickly and will turn to dust. Also, aluminum oxide creates static electricity, and while sandblasting, the user could receive minor shocks. Silicon carbide is a very hard abrasive and will work on any sandblasting project; it especially works well on deep glass carvings.