Obi Emitter Acid VS Bead Blasting

[Boba Debt]

A few people mentioned that bead blasting a steel emitter might produce a finish that is more accurate to the iconel finish

I blasted half of my emitter with glass beads and it produced a very soft matted finish

Personally I think it looks too fresh and I prefer the look the acid produces.

However, I have several people interested in my weathering services so I thought it would be best to post an image and let everyone debate it

 

[Serafino]

Unsurprisingly, glass beads produce a finish very similar to one of the finishes seen on original balance pipes, and which could be argued to be present on the sides of the prop seen in the Chronicles photos (although SSDesigner did very well replicating the look by aging the original machined finish in the early stages of his project).

But until a blasting medium is found which produces a velvet matte finish (which I think is just a matter of time), chemical weathering of various kinds seems the only means of approximating the matte finish also seen on some originals, which is probably what is seen on the flange face and perhaps the ring of holes on the Chronicles saber.

Just to be clear my own wish to do the whole balance pipe in a matte finish is partly about trying to get the matte dark finish seen in screen caps without resorting to paint and is just not justified by the Chronicles photos.

 

[TridCloudwalker]

But until a blasting medium is found which produces a velvet matte finish (which I think is just a matter of time), chemical weathering of various kinds seems the only means of approximating the matte finish also seen on some originals, which is probably what is seen on the flange face and perhaps the ring of holes on the Chronicles saber.

We need to find someone with access to a steel shot blaster. As I posted in one of the other emitter threads: "I used to blast steel poles at a streetlight factory with steel shot the consistancy of fine sand, and that produced a really beautiful velvet finish. I really can't get a mental fix on a real Iconel balance pipe texture from the pics I've seen (thus my confusion in my post above), but from how people have been describing it, it sounds like the ideal finish."

 

[Serafino]

I hope to drop by a metal finishing shop tomorrow on the way to work (same place that did the black oxide on the boosters, since moved), they do abrasive blasting and I'll find out if they have much variety in their media.

 

[Crimsonnaire]

I'm with you, David.

The bead-blast finish looks too fresh. The trick with the Inconel finish is its moderate oxidation. The satin look is an intermediate stage of oxidation that, at full extent, would ultimately result in an almost pitch black and pitted look. Because it's oxidation, the satin finish bears volume--or uneven layers. Moreover, clean balance pipes actually have a brushed/rough machine finish. So unless you want to go for a brand new look, I feel acid treatment would best suit the job of creating layers.

 

[Got Maul]

yup, the bead is too soft....BUT its perfect for the ROTJ luke lightsaber !

 

[TheRealMcFly]

Perhaps it is too early to tell about the bead blast. The blasted steel will still be prone to oxidization, correct?

 

[franz bolo]

The trick with the Inconel finish is its moderate oxidation. The satin look is an intermediate stage of oxidation that, at full extent, would ultimately result in an almost pitch black and pitted look. Because it's oxidation, the satin finish bears volume--or uneven layers. Moreover, clean balance pipes actually have a brushed/rough machine finish.

Huh? What do you base this info on? Mine has no oxidation on it at all. "Inconel alloys are oxidation and corrosion resistant" so why assume the prop did? The darker lines on the balance pipe are aren't from oxidation, they are from wear and what seems to be constant rubbing inside the engine.

FB

 

[Patattack]

Huh? What do you base this info on? Mine has no oxidation on it at all. "Inconel alloys are oxidation and corrosion resistant" so why assume the prop did? The darker lines on the balance pipe are aren't from oxidation, they are from wear and what seems to be constant rubbing inside the engine.

FB

I'm not sure where I heard this, but I feel like I've read in the past that the reason Inconel is so corrosion resistant is because it almost immediately forms a tough oxidized outer layer. Experts, correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[TheRealMcFly]

Well either way I'd say that bead blast should definitely be an option, Boba Debt. If I was building an AFBB, I would want my emitter to look just like that.

Set that thing outside and see how it looks after some exposure to humidity. Perhaps natural patina on a bead blast may be the solution to a very good finish. The matte metal could emulate the resistant oxidized layer of the Inconel, while the inevitable rust will darken for added depth.

Damn, lets just skip it and have a small run of Inconel replicas.:lol

 

[Serafino]

You know, I posted that summary at the beginning just to try to eliminate the confusion which would follow. I think I failed in my attempt, but I can't really add anything to what I said.

Oh, except that Imperious, your post is full of assumptions and these two statements are FALSE. Stop posting uninformed assumptions as fact:

The satin look is an intermediate stage of oxidation that, at full extent, would ultimately result in an almost pitch black and pitted look.

Moreover, clean balance pipes actually have a brushed/rough machine finish.

Patattack--I believe that layer of oxidation is like what you get on aluminum, it protects so well that it stops itself before it becomes particularly visible.

 

[Crimsonnaire]

It's one thing to present an argument for a poorly researched position while keeping a consideration for the opposition, but to stand on points that are actually the exact thing that you're wrongfully accusing the alternative of being is a formidable embarrassment.

I don't know about you, but I have a conscience that yields such a shameful endeavor to rectify whenever I've caught myself foolishly doing this that I'm nothing short of wishing for a stair to roll down on for an episode of amnesia to sooth this shame--even if momentarily.