Rustic finish using sandblast

Maker Talk
1

I’m working on a project involving small wooden toys made from poplar wood blocks, and I’m hoping to achieve a rustic finish. I came across a video that showed sandblasting as a potential method to get the look I’m after.

The thing is, I haven’t taken the metal shop intro course yet (I’m signed up for Thursday), so I don’t have access to the sandblasting equipment right now. I’m wondering if anyone here has experience with sandblasting wood and would be willing to help me do a small test run? I’d like to see if this technique will work for my project before I commit to the full batch.

Here is a photo of the finish I’m trying to replicate:

https:// share. zight. com/ llul7vn5. (sorry for the weird link, it wont let me post otherwise)

Any advice or offers to collaborate would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks,

Carlos

2

I didn’t have a chance to look at the link. The sandblaster uses aluminum oxide. I’m not sure what type of media it calls for. Here is a link to different types of media. Eastwood

3

Another alternative might be to use a nylon wire wheel.

4

I’ve gotten an effect much like that with a light-gauge crimped wire wheel in an angle grinder.

1 Like
5

Do you think aluminum oxide will be too abrasive for the finish I’m trying to achieve? I don’t have much experience with sandblast tbh. Thanks for your response!

6

That might be a good solution, thanks!

7

Yeah I’m using a wire wheel currently but I was trying to find a faster way. Haven’t tried with nylon though, I’ll consider to see if that makes sense.

8

The general rule is no woodwork (saw dust) in the metal shop; I don’t know if there’s an exception for the sandblaster. Before trying this you should get approval from the shop leads.

2 Likes
9

Al Oxide is generally pretty aggressive. It depends on how many times it has been cycled. The grit we normally buy is 80 grit.