Re: sandblasting stainless: a no-no?


"post" <post@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1153138308.226597.151290@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
greets all.
did some searching re: sandblasting stainless tubing for aesthetic
reasons and
haven't found a definitive answer.. was hoping someone with firsthand
experience could shed some light.

i'm not interested so much in the actual finish left on the tubing.. so
much
as the *consistency* of the finish. dull, shiney, coarse, fine, etc..
not too
important.. just want it to look uniform

keep in mind that i'd be buying an inexpensive sandblasting unit
(probably
less than $100) just to get this job done if the answer is yes. if the
answer is
yes, i wonder what i can expect from a cheapo unit.. lifetime garauntee
isn't a factor
here.

not sure what kind of media my local guy has.. but i bet it'll just be
fine sand.

this is the same distorted stainless railing i posted about in the
welding group.
(its a winner on all counts)

i'm going nuts with flapdisks, scotchbrite pads, wirewheels,
handsanding,
abrasive paste -- the works.. the local finish is acceptable (shiny in
fact),
but when i step back and see the whole thing in the light.. well.. it
looks
splotchy. can't get all the grain going the same way i guess.

thanks,
-tony


I just sandblasted some expensive stainless parts I made at work. Works
just fine, but I'll second the fingerprint note mentioned earlier.

StaticsJason

PS: Tom - nice plug! For those who don't know, Tom's family business makes
Lots of quality wire brushes. What would it take/cost to get a small
assortment of stainless wire brushes (hand held) for cleaning welding
projects? Also, does ohio brush happen to make flapdiscs for angle
grinders?






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