I must like punishing myself

[FishStretcher]

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.