Who sells Black Beauty abrasive coal in 5lb bags (or smaller)?

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IronBeltKen

IronBeltKen

Lazy Daydreamer
Hi all,

I'm trying to locate an online seller for Black Beauty coal slag granules, normally used for sandblasting - but I want to use it for HO scale 'live coal' loads. I originally bought it from a company named Abrasives Depot, but I don't think they exist anymore - when I click their link, all I get is a business search engine.

I've tried Google and a few other search engines, and I always get flooded with hits for spec sheets, application sheets, and bulk brokerages - not to mention links that actually have nothing to do with Black Beauty.

I need to know: Where do you buy yours from - in 5lb (or smaller) containers?
 


I can get it for free. For this is what I do. Although we keep 1000lb bags of it usually. Is that too big for ya :)....

Would be glad to send some your way, and start giving back to this little community here.

If interested let me know.
 
Mighty generous offer there Bryan! But I think there's a sandblasting supplies store in my area I can just drive to and pickup some of the stuff. Thanks anyhoo...
 
I work for an auto parts store in NH and we sell 50LB. bags for $10.36. Don't fight the world, use what you need and throw the rest out for that price. It is cheaper than freight on a 5LB. bag.
 
Keny,
Did you find a place in the MD area that sells the "Black Beauty" coal slag? I would be interested in getting some for myself. Maybe I'll be able to get some when I'm in MD this weekend for the train show.
Thanks,
Dave
 
menards lowes or home depot may have it. I get mine at Menards to sandblasst my truck frames. they come in 50lb bags. talk to the shop guys and see if they will sell you an open bag for cheep. I often go in and buy a whole pallet and have them give me all the junk bags for free..
 
A good starting place to find Black Beauty would be an auto parts store or a cemetery monument lettering company. If you're lucky they may give you a couple of pounds from an open bag.
 


I found a place in MD that sells a 100lbs bag for $16. I have a question on what grade of rock should I be looking for or does it matter. I noticed there are many different grades and I wanted to be sure I get the right one since I'm going to buy 100 lbs bag of this stuff.
Dave
 
railBuilderDhd said:
... I noticed there are many different grades and I wanted to be sure I get the right one since I'm going to buy 100 lbs bag of this stuff.
Click to expand...
Dave,

I'll look at the label on the empty Black Beauty cannister in my garage and see what that says, and post the answer on here later this evening (I'm still at the office now).

[EDIT:] I just looked at the grade on the label, it says: Medium (#12/40) I don't have a clue what the numbers mean, but I do know that the granules are roughly the size of Woodland Scenics "medium" (HO) ballast.

So...where exactly is this place in MD where you plan to buy the stuff? I want to pick some up too...
 
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As far as the numbers.....

We are currently using stuff that is 21/40. Judging by what is going on, it should be the "grit" if you will of the sandblast media. Obviously there are finer and coarser options available.

Another pretty neat looking thing that they sell is Red Garnet for sandblasting. Not sure what application it could be used for in modeling, but it has a really deep garnet(obviously lol) color to it, that would really contrast.
 
The # on the bag usually list the grit size. This may be a combination of grits because there are 2 numbers. The bags I have used only said 40, 60, 80 ect. telling me the size of the grit. If you go to a bodyshop that specializes in restorations, most will be able to sell you some for next to nothing. They use it for spot blasting rust on cars. In Canada they call it copper slag. It was introduced to replace silica sand due to health risks and yes it would make great coal loads, but be carefull. Get any in a locomotive motor and you can cause some major damage very quickly. It is very abrasive and breaks down into smaller equally sharp pieces. You might be better off grinding up the real thing.
 
CSX_road_slug said:
Dave,

I'll look at the label on the empty Black Beauty cannister in my garage and see what that says, and post the answer on here later this evening (I'm still at the office now).

[EDIT:] I just looked at the grade on the label, it says: Medium (#12/40) I don't have a clue what the numbers mean, but I do know that the granules are roughly the size of Woodland Scenics "medium" (HO) ballast.

So...where exactly is this place in MD where you plan to buy the stuff? I want to pick some up too...
Click to expand...

Ken,
I'm going to get it at a equipment rental place off 95 between DC and Baltimore near Columbia MD. The place is called ABC rentals. I'll be getting a 100 lbs bag so if you want to split the bag and work out a deal. Will you be at the show this weekend? I'm going to be there Saturday morning till lunch time then me and some guys will be off to Baltimore for some railfanning of some yard there and some old buildings for reference. You are welcome to join us if you like.
Let me know.
Dave
 
railBuilderDhd said:
Ken,
I'm going to get it at a equipment rental place off 95 between DC and Baltimore near Columbia MD. The place is called ABC rentals. I'll be getting a 100 lbs bag so if you want to split the bag and work out a deal. Will you be at the show this weekend? I'm going to be there Saturday morning till lunch time then me and some guys will be off to Baltimore for some railfanning of some yard there and some old buildings for reference. You are welcome to join us if you like.
Let me know.
Dave
Click to expand...
Depends - I have to take my 11yr-old daughter to a soccer game Saturday morning, not sure when I'll be freed-up from doing that. But thanks for the invite, I'll try my best to get there. Could you 'PM' me with your cell# so I can contact you at the show?

PS - I know exactly where that ABC Rentals place is, I've been there ~ a half-dozen times! :D
 
Well, I got the 100 lbs. bag of BB and I have to say it looks good but not perfect; I’ll get some photos posted soon. There are some particles that in the mix that are long and look wrong but you can pick these out as you use it. There are also some particles that are an amber color that don’t look good but most of the mix is black coal like particles that work.
If anyone is interested in trying it out I will send a sample out for you to test for the cost of shipping. Send me a message and we can work out the details.
Dave
 


The Original BLACK BEAUTY® Abrasive

Hi Everyone - I realize this post is over a year now, but wanted to update you a few resellers located in MD and DC.

United Rentals
5301 Chrysler Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
301-627-3800

White Cap Industries
2507 51 Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781
301-773-3800

Caton Lumber/Luan Brothers
605 S. Caton Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21229
410-233-0737

More information about BLACK BEAUTY® can be found at www.blackbeautyabrasives.com and/or 1-888-733-3646.

www.harscominerals.com

Feel free to respond with any questions!
 
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