Probably going to try a few samples tonight out of 1/8" mild steel. How should I finish them?
Obviously grind both sides but what else do you guys normally do? Tumbler? wd40? Trying to avoid painting and powder coating if I can since it will chip off sooner or later.
Also assuming 1/8" mild steel should be plenty strong?
Hard to believe but I don't drink beer so I don't know how much people really abuse these
How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
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How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
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- acourtjester
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Re: How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
I don't grind just a overnight dunk in Muriatic acid then neutralize with a washing soda bath dry and paint.
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Re: How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
I'm with acourtjester on the muriatic acid. I mix 50-50 with water and a soak for 3-4 hours seems to do the trick, then neutralize. For YEARS I was grinding and WASTING my time and money making a mess. The acid does a better job, produces an excellent finish to accept paint or powder, and even makes the cuts look smoother like they were laser cut. If you have never tried it you don't know what your missing out on!!acourtjester wrote:I don't grind just a overnight dunk in Muriatic acid then neutralize with a washing soda bath dry and paint.
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Re: How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
I don’t think the acid works on stainless. Any tips for SS?
For mild steel I have done it and it works well
For mild steel I have done it and it works well
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Re: How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
Timesaver's work great
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Re: How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
A timesaver would be awesome!
If my small parts are beefy--no thin protruding featues--I use a cement mixer with ceramic media(low cost Tumbler). For the parts that do have thin features that may snag and bend in the 'tumbler', I use the acid. I don't dilute it at all. I keep it outside so it doesn't rust everything in the shop. It's in a large plastic tote with lid, that is also inside a bigger outdoor storage chest(double containment to ensure nothing gets into the acid that shouldn't, and no acid gets spilled). The only problem having the acid outside is temperature as we approach winter. During nice, summer days, the acid does it's work in 1-3 hours depending on how smooth you want the edges. In the winter, the acid does almost nothing after a whole day. To get around this I keep a large heating pad under the internal acid container.
If my small parts are beefy--no thin protruding featues--I use a cement mixer with ceramic media(low cost Tumbler). For the parts that do have thin features that may snag and bend in the 'tumbler', I use the acid. I don't dilute it at all. I keep it outside so it doesn't rust everything in the shop. It's in a large plastic tote with lid, that is also inside a bigger outdoor storage chest(double containment to ensure nothing gets into the acid that shouldn't, and no acid gets spilled). The only problem having the acid outside is temperature as we approach winter. During nice, summer days, the acid does it's work in 1-3 hours depending on how smooth you want the edges. In the winter, the acid does almost nothing after a whole day. To get around this I keep a large heating pad under the internal acid container.
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Re: How do you guys finish your bottle openers and small parts?
I am going to try this.
Never thought of it
Never thought of it