Replies

1. 
   Splintie | Aug 12, 2002 11:04am | #1

   When i worked in a shop that used stumps and burls for tables, the bark and dirt was blasted off with a pressure washer, as i recall--very effective, but it stuffs the wood surface full of water.

   My boss used to burn areas with an acetylene torch that we flunkies then went over with wire wheels to remove the soot and expose the grain.

   Sandblasting i've done for wood signs eats the summer wood, leaving the remaining harder wood to make some very nice splinters, i should think, if used as furniture.

   My vote goes to a 4 1/2" grinder and/or wire wheel. 

2. 
   TomH100 | Aug 12, 2002 01:01pm | #2

   I have made some furniture which I subsequently sandblasted. I wanted to achieve the effect of driftwood, so bought some cheap pine, which, like SPLINTIE, I scorched before sandblasting. Very effective, with a liming wax finish. I also know of a friend who sand blasted her oak table in order to accentuate the open texture of the timber - also to great effect.

   PS The results of sand blasting unscorched pine were unsatisfactory. Didn't achieve the definition between summer and winter growth I was looking for. Also, sandblasting didn't mark what was left of the timber as much as a wire bush + drill combo did.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 8/12/2002 6:13:52 AM ET by TOMH100

3. 
   Lilshaver | Aug 13, 2002 05:21am | #3

   There are a variety of blasting media besides sand: copper slag, glass beads, plastic beads, steel shot..... Each of these will give you a different look. I suggest that you take some wood scraps to an industrial supplier who sells blasters and ask for advice and a trial run. You will need a big compressor to keep up with the air demand.

4. 
   Seth_Frankel | Aug 13, 2002 04:28pm | #4

   I've had repeated great success with sandblasting of fine furniture (hardwoods). Most of the use has been with rubbed in paint finishes where the piece is sandblasted, the totally painted and sanded back through then given an oil or varnish finish over top. The results are very strong and can be very subtle or with great contrast (purpleheart with a grey alkyd paint made for a lovely combination for an outdoor planter.)

   I've also sandblasted bent laminations using the same technique. The process effectively hides lamination lines and works to blend the entire form together.

   Sand has been the medium of choice for all my sandblasting. So far I've been lucky to find others with a large sandblasting facility and have permitted me to do the work myself. I have found that it takes a fairly careful control to maintain an even appearance and it quite difficult to see the details well under the mask and safety gear.

   Hope this helps you with trying it out.

   Best,

   Seth

   "Nothing is a

   mistake. There is no win

   and there is no fail . . . there is only

   make."

   John Cage