The sandblasting cabinet, also known as the sandblaster, is a machine that removes small amounts of material by spraying the part with abrasive particles propelled by compressed air. The shop uses garnet as the abrasive sand, but other sandblasting media can be used as well, including glass beads, walnut shells, and aluminum oxide. Sandblasting is often used to remove paint, rust, or oxides (such as from the hammer hard face). It also provides a textured surface finish, which works best on metals.