Has anyone tried sandblasting Delrin to add a bit of textured grip?

[edgecentricity]

The title says it all. I'm curious if anyone's tried sand/media-blasting Delrin to give it a fine, uniform texture that enhances grip -- and if so, do you have any pointers?

Cheers!

 

[CableGirl]

Never had to blast Delrin but do work with it a lot and have seen the effects of inadvertent blasting. One thing I observed from the accident is keeping the same angle Id think would be important. Seems to have a modeled patchy appearance from a customary sweeping movement. Blast it like you would an automotive spray gun and see what happens.

I do know this for certain tho, it will show dirt, grease and scratches will become very visible if it isn't completely waxy smooth.

 

[edgecentricity]

Never had to blast Delrin but do work with it a lot and have seen the effects of inadvertent blasting. One thing I observed from the accident is keeping the same angle Id think would be important. Seems to have a modeled patchy appearance from a customary sweeping movement. Blast it like you would an automotive spray gun and see what happens.

I do know this for certain tho, it will show dirt, grease and scratches will become very visible if it isn't completely waxy smooth.

Hi there, thanks for the pointers! If I try, I'll probably attempt it on a cheap knife first. Visible dirt, grease and scratches wouldn't be problematic as it would be done to an outdoor/work knife. Cheers.

 

[drail]

I have done this on plastics, metals and wood. I don't think you will see hardly any improvement on grip enhancement by just blasting. You need something more aggressive, like checkering or stippling. Read up on checkering files. I have checkered or serrated a few Delrin knife handles and it makes a huge difference. No slippage at all - even with wet hands. The only problem I had with checkering is with knives that have the grips pinned on - you must carefully lay out your lines around the pins - never cut into a pin head. I have seen work done by others where they took a piece of checkered steel or an old checkering file and heated it up and pressed it into the Delrin. You can also cut simple grooves with a 60 degree file. Use your imagination.

 

[edgecentricity]

I have done this on plastics, metals and wood. I don't think you will see hardly any improvement on grip enhancement by just blasting. You need something more aggressive, like checkering or stippling. Read up on checkering files. I have checkered or serrated a few Delrin knife handles and it makes a huge difference. No slippage at all - even with wet hands. The only problem I had with checkering is with knives that have the grips pinned on - you must carefully lay out your lines around the pins - never cut into a pin head. I have seen work done by others where they took a piece of checkered steel or an old checkering file and heated it up and pressed it into the Delrin. You can also cut simple grooves with a 60 degree file. Use your imagination.

Ah, checkering files -- I know of them, but the thought of using them in this manner hadn't entered my mind. Thanks for the suggestion, and the pointer about avoiding pin damage. I've done something similar to what you described -- pressing something textured (low-grit sandpaper in this case) into a softer material, or in the case of steel, applying back and forth pressure on top of the sandpaper, to impart a subtle texture, or at least different appearance.

Thank you!

 

[Danke42]

I have done this on plastics, metals and wood. I don't think you will see hardly any improvement on grip enhancement by just blasting. You need something more aggressive, like checkering or stippling. Read up on checkering files. I have checkered or serrated a few Delrin knife handles and it makes a huge difference. No slippage at all - even with wet hands. The only problem I had with checkering is with knives that have the grips pinned on - you must carefully lay out your lines around the pins - never cut into a pin head. I have seen work done by others where they took a piece of checkered steel or an old checkering file and heated it up and pressed it into the Delrin. You can also cut simple grooves with a 60 degree file. Use your imagination.

These days with the surge in polymer grip pistols just using a soldering iron and either making or buying a checkered tip is the way to go.

If you have the file then just use it to score a roofing nail or something with a big flat head or check out woodburning kits for different shaped tips.

The key is to practice a ton on discarded plastic first till you get results you're happy with.

 

[drail]

AYE CHIHUAHUA!!!! Are you like a dental surgeon or something????

 

[edgecentricity]

Thanks for the tips -- and holy smokes, look at all-a those!

These days with the surge in polymer grip pistols just using a soldering iron and either making or buying a checkered tip is the way to go.

If you have the file then just use it to score a roofing nail or something with a big flat head or check out woodburning kits for different shaped tips.

The key is to practice a ton on discarded plastic first till you get results you're happy with.