Sand blasting is probably the worst thing to do. As goat says, there's a very high chance of warping and embrittlement. Plastic media blasting is an excellent method, but in the hands of a hack that too can cause some damage, though not as much as sand.

Another alternative, albeit messy, but won't damage the metal, is "aircraft stripper". Available from any wholesale automotive paint jobber in gallon cans. And even though their wholesale, they still sell to the public.