I’m looking at This benchtop cabinet for bead blasting small parts such as wood handles for battery tubes. No idea what grit to use for grain enhancement.
I haven't done any bead-blasting. But I have used another (cheaper) technique to accentuate the vein/grain.
Scorch the wood, and rub of the burned/darkened parts (for the trough i used a propane torch and a pressure washer). Makes result similar to bead-blasting -a bit rougher though.
I briefly considered water jet but concluded the parts are too small and likely to crack or suffer a shape change so a dry method is preferred.
I’ve bead blasted metal at a friend’s motorcycle shop, but I know little about it except that it takes a lot of air volume: big tank and a high SCFM rating on the compressor. A really big portable compressor may do it but it’s going to be working hard to keep up so check it’s temp and give it rests as needed.
Phil
Yeah, it might be to much on a small piece of wood. You could try my method on a small piece of scrap-wood, and in stead of a pressure washer you could use a fine steelbrush, a rough sponge, or some steel wool.
A friend of mine is a goldsmith, he has got a machine somewhat like the one you linked to. I'll ask him what grit to use.
Try this company on Ebay—They helped me in choosing the median I needed
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GLASS-BEAD-10-Very-Fine-25-lbs-Sand-Blast-Cabinet-BLASTING-MEDIA-/252161175348?hash=item3ab5fa2f34:m:mWRY85dtohxvgvEghOH4DCg
I don’t know if you bought a cabinet yet —the one on ebay for around $100 works fine for small—just plan on putting a small vacuum on the exit hole or you get leaks and a mess
Once the wood blank is drilled and epoxied on the brass sleeve it goes back on a de-headed carriage bolt for turning. I figure I can make a small jig that fits in the cabinet to rest the bolt on and turn it easily and evenly. Heck, could probably mount a rotisserie motor to the outside. I have a vacuum for it and I would guess a fine grit best for wood, thanks.