I have never used soda blasting. I always used black beauty silicon carbide. You are supposed to have a fresh air supply so you don't get silicosis, but for small jobs with a mask, I suspect it is fine.
I realized after I posted and re-read the thread that you were well aware of the things I posted, but left it up anyways. Maybe someone will find it useful.
I think that sandblasting is the best shortcut there is for structural work.
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