Sandblaster
Sandblasters use forced sand particles to clean or finish a surface. The effect produced by the sandblasting process is similar to that of sandpaper, although sandblasters provide a smoother finish without problem areas in crevices or at corners.
Within a sandblaster, the abrasive material, sand, is forced through the apparatus by compressed air, blast wheels, or pressurized water. There are three types of sandblasters: blast cabinets, portable blasters, and blast rooms.
Blast cabinets and blast rooms were created in order to contain hazardous silica dust inhalation caused by sandblasters, as exposure can lead to a form of lung cancer. Items to be abraded are placed in enclosures known as sandblast cabinets. These cabinets were created to contain the silica dust produced by sandblasting, thus diminishing workers' risk of dangerous dust inhalation. Blast rooms work under the same concept but in a more spacious area, allowing for the abrasion of large items.
Portable sandblasters are popular with freelance workers that require mobility from one project to another. They are usually equipped with wheels, facilitating transport.