Vapour Blasting- free plug.

[firko]

I'd taken my Yamaha barrel, two heads and a backing plate to Impact Glass Beading at Blacktown for some blasting back to bare alloy. Claude there told me that it'd take three weeks to do which didn't suit me with my CD7 deadline.

It was then that I remembered that Dave Mac had recently purchased a water blaster and was offering his services to VMX folks. A quick call and I was off to Daves house where he vapour blasted my parts while I waited. The job was superb, vapour blasting leaves a smoother, cleaner finish leaving my bits looking better than new. Just because Dave did mine while I waited, it'd be a big ask to expect that for every job. I was lucky to catch him on the second last day of his annual holidays from the Fire Brigade which gave hime the opportunity to do it right then and there. His pricing is competitive with other services and being a VMX guy, understands your needs. If you're in Sydney and in need of some blasting, give him a call and I guarantee you won't be disapointed.

This is not a free plug either. I paid for my job as I realise that Dave didn't spend shitloads on his equipment to do freebies for his mates. It's a business like any other service. What I will say again is that Dave will give you a good price and above everything, a great result.

DAVE MAC-VAPOUR (WET/WATER) BLASTING AND GENERAL ENGINEERING 0416074750

[Nitram]

Hi Firko,

That stuff looks terriffic !  Shame its a Yama.......    Just kidding !!

But here's my question:  how cruddy was the stuff before the blasting ?  I spent today setting up a bead blasting cabinet that I'd inherited, and tried it out on a Can-Am 250 barrel I was working on.  The result was pretty ordinary: not totally crap, but not a patch on that stuff you got Dave Mac to do.  My barrel was a bit scruffy before blasting, and it looks better now, but it took ages to do and if I was paying someone to do the blasting it'd be horrribly expensive.  No doubt I'm doing something wrong- wrong beads ?  Not enough pressure ? (continuous 50psi from a mates 32cfi mega compressor).  Dunno.

Incidentally, where is Dave Mac's business ?

Cheers,

Martin

[firko]

Hi Martin, the barrel and ACK head were NOS but the seperate RT2MX head was pretty cruddy. Daves in the Hills District.

[Rossvickicampbell]

Martin - 50 psi seems a little low for blasting - normal sand anyway so wouldn't of thought much different for beads.  And yes - that stuff looks awesome.

Rossco

[maicomc490t]

Hey Firko, old mate!

I missed your post regarding the vapour blasting on the Yammy parts so a big thank you for giving me a plug. The pics are great too and I hope it gives some out there an idea of what the vapour blasting is good for.

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to Claude at Impact (he's a great guy who has in the past been doing excellent preparation work on my Ducati restorations, both mine and commissioned work) and he is going to work with me on sending work my way as he is busy with big stuff now. As you know I also have another large dry cabinet that should be up and running in the next few weeks once I get a part for it that I have been waiting ages for. The idea of this is to create a one stop shop for blasting and anything too big will be taken to Claude at no additional charge to the restorer.

As you mentioned I can also take on general engineering work (might be a firey now but am also a qualified toolmaker/machinist)

Once again thanks for giving me a mention and appreciate your comments - not to forget the end result you have achieved on that Cheney! One rare old bike in OZ and what a pearler!

Dave Mac

[vmx42]

Sorry Dave I seem to be chasing your posts all over OzVMX…

You mentioned your larger cabinet, does that mean you can blast frames now [or very soon when you get the missing part].

I posted another question regarding the vapour blasting of aluminium on your other link… does the vapour process remove anodising and take the part back to bare metal?

Let me know,
Thanks
VMX42

[maicomc490t]

Sorry for the email chase, lol!

I've now posted an email address which should help and feel free to call me on the mobile (leave a message if there is no answer and it will always be returned).

The bigger dry cabinet will take a good number of dirt bike frames including my 81 Maicos (the wet blaster can take the usual modern alloy dirt bike frames due to detachable subframe) but as I explained in one of my other posts anything too large that is dropped off with the smaller items be they alloy or steel will be expertly done by Impact Blasting which is a company I have used for years (and trust) and I will drop off and pick up at no additional charge as Claude is near where I am stationed in the Fire Brigade. Nor will I value add to what he charges as we are all sick of being ripped off in the bike industry.

Cheers

Dave Mac 

[vmx42]

regarding the vapour blasting of aluminium on your other link… does the vapour process remove anodising and take the part back to bare metal?

Sorry Dave,
What about the anodising question? Yes/no or…
Thanks
Jeff

[oldfart]

Mark,     K&H   make a product called outboard clear "top coat"   I have been using it on my barrels and heads with success as a sealer.

[maicomc490t]

Hi Jeff,

I did post a reply about the blasting of the anodised finishes somewhere but due to a night shift affected brain am not sure where (think it was in the dealers section?)

What I do know is that dry blasting will remove anodising so the wet process, while far gentler, would almost definitely remove it but take a little longer but give a better result.

All my jobs to date have either been castings of different types or anything other I will try and do a test run on an old Maico rim in the next few days once some customer work is finished.

Cheers for now

Dave Mac