Anyone know how to produce a "stonewashed" finish?

MassiveGorillaz

MassiveGorillaz

Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
134
I was curious as to how to produce a stonewashed finish on a blade. It almost looks like a galvanized finish. Any info would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
ceh2272,

I worked at Chris Reeve's shop for a while and can tell you that his blades are put into an industrial sized "Vibrator" with water and structured "stones". I think that they are actually ceramic but can't remember for sure. I have a small handful of them and can take a photo if you're interested. When I was there, we tried to put some of them in a brass casing cleaner/polisher (reloading equipment) with some of the smaller blades from the Mnandi's but there wasn't enough stone in that small of a vibrator to do any good on S30V blades. It may work on some of the less abrasive resistant stainless steels like ATS-34, CPM-154 or 440C. Let us know if you try it and how it works out for you.

Good luck!
RIck
 
Rick Baum said:
ceh2272,

I worked at Chris Reeve's shop for a while and can tell you that his blades are put into an industrial sized "Vibrator" with water and structured "stones". I think that they are actually ceramic but can't remember for sure. I have a small handful of them and can take a photo if you're interested. When I was there, we tried to put some of them in a brass casing cleaner/polisher (reloading equipment) with some of the smaller blades from the Mnandi's but there wasn't enough stone in that small of a vibrator to do any good on S30V blades. It may work on some of the less abrasive resistant stainless steels like ATS-34, CPM-154 or 440C. Let us know if you try it and how it works out for you.

Good luck!
RIck
Click to expand...

I've been looking at the smaller vibratory tumblers and was wondering about the ones made for doing brass, as well as some or the rock polishers you see out there. I'd like to give stonewashing a try, but some of the machines are ridiculously expensive. Anybody have any experience with something in the $100 - $200 range that can get decent results? I'm using mostly ATS-34, Bohler's D2, Elmax, and 154CM.
 
jonnymac44,

Based on the size of the vibrator in Chris' shop (30-40 gallons) and knowing that a small bullet brass cleaner had no effect what-so-ever on S30V... If it were me, I'd try a rock tumbler. The problem with the small vibrator was that the dimensional stones that Chris used were large and heavy enough that the vibrator just couldn't get them circulating. A tumbler obviously wouldn't have that problem. I'd also use a much smaller stone than what was used at CRK. The large stones he uses might do more than abrade the surface of the steel in a tumbler. If memory serves, they were triangular shaped and about 1" from corner to corner and maybe 3/8" thick.

Rick
 
Rick,

Thats some good info! i would like to see a picture of the rocks that CRK uses if you get a chance!

Thanks,
Charles
 
Rick Baum said:
jonnymac44,

Based on the size of the vibrator in Chris' shop (30-40 gallons) and knowing that a small bullet brass cleaner had no effect what-so-ever on S30V... If it were me, I'd try a rock tumbler. The problem with the small vibrator was that the dimensional stones that Chris used were large and heavy enough that the vibrator just couldn't get them circulating. A tumbler obviously wouldn't have that problem. I'd also use a much smaller stone than what was used at CRK. The large stones he uses might do more than abrade the surface of the steel in a tumbler. If memory serves, they were triangular shaped and about 1" from corner to corner and maybe 3/8" thick.

Rick
Click to expand...

Thanks Rick:thumbup: I was looking at some of the rock tumblers.
 
Here's a quick shot of the stones... I guess my memory must be fading. The stones are 3/4" on two sides and 5/8" on the third by approx. 3/16" thick.

Hope it helps.
 

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  • Stonewash stones.jpg
    Stonewash stones.jpg
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Glad to help Charles! It's not often that I get a chance to share around here with all of the knowledge that most of these guys have and share so freely.
 
Here are a few we have at my work:

Small steel "UFO" shaped media.
minirnd.jpg


Small round shape with small ceramic media.
Smrnd.jpg


Small square random ceramic for general purpose.
smsquare.jpg


Large square for more intricate bent parts.
lrgsq.jpg


Our largest for oversize parts, and large batches. Upper right corner 8" Hort saw
LRGTMBL.jpg


There are all types of media for different applications.
Ceramic— The best media for removing large amounts of material. Great for rapid deburring, it can also be used for polishing. Ratios of media to parts are as follows: 2 to 1 for heavy material removal, 4 to 1 for deburring, and 5 to 1 for polishing.
Plastic— Produces a smoother finish than ceramic and can also be used for deburring. Ratio of media to parts is 4 to 1.
Porcelain— Good for burnishing and polishing. Ratio of media to parts is 5 or 6 to 1.
Organic— Leaves the finest finish. Can also be used for deburring. Ratio of media to parts is 3 or 4 to 1.
 
Dan Pierson said:
Nathan the Machinist does this and has posted about it. Maybe he'll notice this thread.
Click to expand...

The link that I and Droc both posted

are both links to the same thread where Nathan the Machinst posted pics of the abrasive he used and the label.

Someone else then posted the order numbers for MSC
Raytech
3/8 “ ceramic Polyhedron
Order # 41328
20 pounds is $100

www.mscdirect.com
MSC order number
09117508



If you read that thread, the info is already there
(pics mostly disappeared though)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=572155
 
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