Sandblasting/stonewashing at home?

[OhioApexing]

I've got some things that I would like to sandblast or stonewash -- screws, clips, etc. and I also get requests from sharpening customers to do the same for them. There are several businesses that offer it locally but are there any home setups/solutions out there that would allow me to do it myself without a ton of bulky equipment or mess? I'm inclined to say that there isn't (probably need a compressor for the sandblasting).

 

[WValtakis]

Bare minimum for blasting would be a compressor and a bench top blasting cabinet from Harbor Freight, I stonewashed at home with a Nalgene bottle wrapped in a couple towels in the dryer (ceramic media from HF) but I keep meaning to pick up one of the rock tumblers from HF as well.

~Chip

 

[Frank A.]

I can't help with sandblasting, but I can tell you what I have done to stonewash titanium handles.

I completely disassemble the knife. I take the finish off with a scotchbrite pad, only sanding it lengthwise in even strokes. I wipe it down with water and then put a piece of duct tape over the detent ball. I use round stones about the size of a quarter. They come from my wife's planter pot! I put about 20 stones in a plastic container that looks to be a little larger than a quart. I fill it about 1/3 with water and added 1 drop of dish wash soap. Then shake, rattle, and roll for about 5 minutes per handle. Do 1 handle at a time, and then the pocket clip. If you want a more aggressive stonewash, agitate it longer. It is really very simple. Good luck!

 

[Pendexter]

My post is specifically regarding stonewashing clips and blades, I don't have any experience with screws. I'd imagine you could just cover up the threads with nail polish before doing it, but that's speculation.

Stonewashing is easy. Like Frank said, throw it in a container with liquid and shake it up. Dishsoap works, and so does WD40.

I've heard that the tumblers from Harbor Freight are designed for polishing as opposed to stonewashing. You can put it in the dryer (no heat) and let it tumble in there for a while. I just use my hands and shake it around.

If you are stonewashing the blade itself, make sure to put nail polish around the pivot, detent track, and edge bevel. The stonewashing process will still probably chew up the edge, but the nail polish helps a little.

Here's are photos of an at home acid stonewashed blade and clip. I just used the rocks I found in the back yard. I also added a few nuts and screws to get some variation in the scratch pattern.

I'm not 100% happy with how the clip came out, but such is life.