As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases
Grok.com: "What is the best website for metal finishing questions and answers?"
"Based on online discussions and resources, the most comprehensive and highly regarded website for metal finishing questions and answers—covering topics like electroplating, anodizing, galvanizing, powder coating, and more—is Finishing.com. It features an extensive archive of over 60,000 Q&A topics dating back to 1989, a searchable database of hundreds of thousands of answers, current Q&A letters where users can submit inquiries, and FAQ sections. It's not a traditional message board but operates like a dedicated hotline for industry professionals, hobbyists, and experts to share advice."
Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Adver-
tise
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
-----
Bead blast with what grit size
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
Q. I am making a machine part from 316L stainless steel for a German company and they are requesting that I provide a beadblasted finish of RZ-21/2 but they cannot tell me how that translates into a glass bead grit size. Is there a conversion chart I can access?
Mark N [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Maple Grove, Minnesota, U.S.A.
2006
A. Dial up the 800 number of at least 2 major bead manufacturers. At least one can help you. I am not familiar with the spec, but normally a finish quality of SS is going to depend on the quality of the finish before blast. This would not be the case if it were ss shot of abrasive media.
James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
A. Like another answer the finish of the stainless is important. However there should be no bad marks on the job if it has been fabricated carefully.
Beadblasting is used to give a satin finish and blend in weld blue/marks.
In the UK I sold blasting media for 25 years and the size that most ss finishers use to get a really nice finish is 53/105 microns (in inches 002" to 004") in diameter.
I don't think you will want to 'gild the lily' on a one off, but to pre-treat (blast) the surface with a fine mesh Aluminium Oxide (150 mesh (not microns) and then bead blast gives a great finish.
Ronald Noble
- Leicester UK
Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.
If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:
Finishing
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g,
& Software
About/Contact - Privacy Policy - ©1995-2025 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA - about "affil links"