Spec me a grinder/belt for finishing aluminium.

[JOGARA]

Hi all.

Looking for suggestions on what grinder/sander or combo to help finish my aluminum product case.
I am anodizing matte black so want a smooth but not shiny/mirror finish.

Thinking of using Scotch-Brite belt or wheels to get a nice satin finish that will take away any burs and give a nice flat finish.

Been looking at these;
http://www.hollisonsupply.co.uk/surf...BoCNQMQAvD_BwE
http://www.hollisonsupply.co.uk/r-we...x100x19mm.html
http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...ite&channel=uk
http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...ite&channel=uk
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RDGTOOLS-6...38.m2548.l4275


There is vat-free next Sunday at MachineMart so I have been looking at their bench grinders and belt sanders.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cbs1...t-disc-sander/
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cbg6...r-with-sander/
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cbg6...bench-grinder/

Anyone got any suggestions?
I know there would be some modding with the wheels and Clarke stuff but might work well?

[m_c]

If you want matt/satin, I'd be looking at some form of blasting/media polishing.
How big are the parts?

Anything that involves rotating disks/belts will leave a swirled/brushed finish.

[magicniner]

1. To get it flat linish or sand.
2. To get it smooth polish.
3. To get rid of the mirror finish blast, vibrate or tumble with a media to break the surface.

This will give you precise control of your surface finish, I use triangular ceramic media in a tumbler to matt the finish of some parts I manufacture to match the WD originals,

- Nick

[JOGARA]

I sort of discounted vibration/tumble because of cost.

If it is the best method to get me the finish I need then I might invest.


The parts are up to 80*65*15 and 100*42*15

[m_c]

https://www.frost.co.uk/motor-parts-...isher-8kg.html

I got mine when they were still £99. Not the most robust of machines, but does the job, and was the cheapest tumbler I could find that would handle reasonably sized parts, without spending 4 figures on an industrial machine.
The media is very expensive from Frost though. The last batch I got was from Moleroda (https://www.moleroda.com/product-cat...and-compounds/), but have a search.

[JOGARA]

Hard to tell how big it is without seeing it. Do you know/think it could take the size of the part I am working with?

[Boyan Silyavski]

1. To get it flat linish or sand.
2. To get it smooth polish.
3. To get rid of the mirror finish blast, vibrate or tumble with a media to break the surface.

This will give you precise control of your surface finish, I use triangular ceramic media in a tumbler to matt the finish of some parts I manufacture to match the WD originals,

- Nick

That should be written in big bold black words. Finishing is an art itself. I believe i have invested in finishing as much money as all else together in my workshop. And am constantly piling up different machines and materials related to that.

The finest sand, almost dust like at 1-2 euro 25kg bag+mini sandblaster gun from Lidl gives me the nice matte finish for small parts. For seconds.

[Zeeflyboy]

Cheers.

Looks pretty decent - might have to grab a bag!

[JOGARA]

I wish I had something to compare it to.
But does what I need..

£55 a bag though. Lot more than 20mm which is less than half the price. Wonder if one could make their own....?