Robocop
Moderator, *Mammoth Killer*
I just noticed Orb is offering a few custom Raw NS lights with a bead blasted finish and they really look very nice in my opinion. This got me to thinking that every light I have seen with bead blasted finishes has always been very smooth and consistent in appearance.
How does bead blasting work exactly? Do you start with an anodized light and then bead blast that finish to improve it or do you simply bead blast plain unfinished aluminum? Do all blasted finishes have the same texture and feel or does it depend on the type of material the light is made of?
I am wondering this because I am curious as to why this is not a more common finish procedure for lights. With so many being picky with the ano process and many makers having trouble with consistent ano it seems bead blasting would be a better choice.
Is a bead blasted finish more costly or maybe weaker than true anodizing? And also does bead blasting a light always ensure a uniform appearance or can it also be dependant on the shop doing the work? I tried a search online and mostly got videos of actual blasting. It seems like it would be hard to mess this process up and seemed pretty simple and effective....so is it as tough as HAIII and if so why is it not used more often?
How does bead blasting work exactly? Do you start with an anodized light and then bead blast that finish to improve it or do you simply bead blast plain unfinished aluminum? Do all blasted finishes have the same texture and feel or does it depend on the type of material the light is made of?
I am wondering this because I am curious as to why this is not a more common finish procedure for lights. With so many being picky with the ano process and many makers having trouble with consistent ano it seems bead blasting would be a better choice.
Is a bead blasted finish more costly or maybe weaker than true anodizing? And also does bead blasting a light always ensure a uniform appearance or can it also be dependant on the shop doing the work? I tried a search online and mostly got videos of actual blasting. It seems like it would be hard to mess this process up and seemed pretty simple and effective....so is it as tough as HAIII and if so why is it not used more often?