Stone wash finish

Lagrange

Lagrange

Well-Known Member
I've heard some makers talk about having given their blades a stone wash finish. I like the appearance that they achieve. Can someone explain how this is accomplished and what I would need to get it done myself.
 
You need a tumbler and abrasive media, a lot of makers also do a pre-treatment such as bead blasting or an acid wash to help create contrast in the finish.

The tumblers come in 2 types, vibratory or rotary. The vibratory ones work in the same manner as a reloading tumbler, the rotary ones are fairly self-explanatory and resemble a stone polisher, or a small cement mixer. The media comes in many different types, shapes, weights and sizes, and needs to be selected for the application. This part can get pretty involved and is worth some research.

You generally need to have a fine finish before you start tumbling, otherwise it will tend to highlight flaws and imperfections.
 
They call that the Redneck Tumbler
Click to expand...
AWESOME!! Duct tape, Gatorade bottle and a dryer...Sounds like a Southern Saturday nite....

At my realjob, I made a tumbler to do nuts/bolts/small hardware with a 12" PVC pipe capped solid one end, removable cap on the other. Fill with hardware and sandblast medium, chuck into the lathe and run slow overnight...Beats trying to sandblast small parts that won't sit still......
 
...let's see...tumbler in the dryer = wifey mad. I dont think this option will work for me. I could do it when she's gone, but somehow she will find out. She has radar that detects bad husband with exceptional range.
 
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