Sandblasting pen kits

[Skin-Job]

Has anyone ever tried sandblasting a commercial pen kit, to see if the finish can be matted back?

While I love kits like the Sirocco and the Zeta, I sometimes find the factory finishes a bit plasticky and toylike.

I'm going to dig out my blasting cabinet and try to flat the finish on a Zeta kit parts, I think.
I'll be interested to see if the finish holds up.....

Anyone tried it?

 

[Dalboy]

The finish on many pens is only a plating and you will find that it will disappear very quick.

 

[Skin-Job]

I totally understand and fully appreciate that the kits are base metal, electroplated.

The plating may well be thick enough to take a light pass with a sandblaster. I'm talking about a fine grit at low pressure, just enough to take the shine of and leave it satin.

Wondered if anyone had tried it.

 

[Lons]

You can buy a zeta kit in satin chrome, otherwise why not just sand lightly with 1000 or 1500 micromesh?

 

[Skin-Job]

oooh. I've seen and made the Zeta in brushed pewter. Haven't seen brushed chrome.

The problem with the 1000 or 1500 micromesh is getting into all the crannies, and getting an even finish.

Hmmm.....

 

[Skin-Job]

Correction, I've made the Sirocco in brushed pewter.
I'll go and have a look at the brushed chrome Zeta.

Ta.

K

 

[21William]

There are a couple of kits made in the UK that are made from Stainless Steel, you could safely sandblast these.

I sandblasted a dip pen that I made from alloy and that looked nice. I used Alox.

The media used can make a big difference to the final finish though, what do you have in mind?

 

[Skin-Job]

I have some fine grit I use to just remove surface tarnish from brass castings. Should be OK.
K

 

[wm460]

William any tips on sandblasting?

 

[21William]

William any tips on sandblasting?

No, not really apart from choosing the right media for the job and observing the safety precautions. I use a medium Aluminium oxide grit in my cabinet that gives a nice Matt finish. I’ve used this on quite a lot of the tools I’ve made as it looks nice and can hide light machining marks etc. This is one of the tools I blasted a while back. Once it comes out of the cabinet I wipe it down with some microcrystalline wax to stop it rusting.



As a point of interest I have a small Clarke blasting cabinet powered by a 2.5 HP compressor with a 25L reservoir. It’s almost exactly half the recommended power but I’ve found it works fine for the relatively small stuff I do.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Try 0000wire wool it should get into all the nooks & crannies. If that doesn’t work try valve grinding paste or some similar medium & use a rotary toothbrush with an old brush on to get into the nooks etc.

 

[Penpal]

Lay off electroplating it is very thin.

Peter.

 

[Skin-Job]

I appreciate the input, I'll do some tests.

K

 

[silver]

Never done it or even thought about it! But Interesting on this thead to see what turns out...

No pressure Karl.. [MENTION=1739]Skin-Job[/MENTION]...

 

[Penpal]

Horses for courses I reckon.Recent treatment of a kit scuffed then painted to age was interesting to me.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

No, not really apart from choosing the right media for the job and observing the safety precautions. I use a medium Aluminium oxide grit in my cabinet that gives a nice Matt finish. I’ve used this on quite a lot of the tools I’ve made as it looks nice and can hide light machining marks etc. This is one of the tools I blasted a while back. Once it comes out of the cabinet I wipe it down with some microcrystalline wax to stop it rusting.

View attachment 34175

As a point of interest I have a small Clarke blasting cabinet powered by a 2.5 HP compressor with a 25L reservoir. It’s almost exactly half the recommended power but I’ve found it works fine for the relatively small stuff I do.

Very nicely done William.

Just have a look at sand blaster supplies in Alice Springs, they have the following, what are you recommendations,

Garnet F24

Blackridge Sand Blasting Grit - Garnet - 10kg - Supercheap Auto


Silicone Carbide F30

Blackridge Sand Blasting Grit - Silicone Carbide - 10kg - Supercheap Auto

Glass Bead

Blackridge Sand Blasting Grit - Glass Beed - 10kg - Supercheap Auto

Sand Blasting Grit

Norton Air Sand Blasting Grit - 10kg - Supercheap Auto

 

[Penpal]

I bought and used a sandblasting kit years later gave it to a mate.I bought heaps of pure garnet from a pro sandblasting firm who bought it in a sling of one ton AU. I still marvel because I love Garnets.

You can buy Shakespeare Pen Kits through Phil the co producer of them in bright chrome or matte.

Peter.

 

[Skin-Job]

Yes, I've been looking at the Shakespeare kits.

I love the matte stainless.

Happy Christmas everyone.

K

 

[21William]

I wouldn’t know what to choose from those three Mark. This is the stuff I’ve been using:

Clarke 7.5kg 80-120 Grit Aluminium Oxide Powder - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

I would just tell them what you want to do with it and ask their advice.
I’ve not used them but understand the beads give more of a Satin than Matt finish on metal.

 

[wm460]

I wouldn’t know what to choose from those three Mark. This is the stuff I’ve been using:

Clarke 7.5kg 80-120 Grit Aluminium Oxide Powder - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

I would just tell them what you want to do with it and ask their advice.
I’ve not used them but understand the beads give more of a Satin than Matt finish on metal.

Thanks will have a look next week when I head down for my appointment.