I know many people recommend this but I don't go for it. Although the finish
after bead blasting would be great, the chance of warpage is also there. I have
owned a bead blaster for most of my life and you would be surprised how it can
warp a piece of thin metal. I avoid using it on precision small or thin parts.
If you decide to do it make sure you use very low air pressure.
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Bead blasting leaves residual compressive stress in the surface.
In some
application this is a good thing but on thin flat items such as clutch
plates it may lead to warping. I agree with Mr. Sayegh, better not
to bead
blast clutch plates.
HOLD IT, GENTLEMEN!!!!! HOLD JUST A MINUTE!!!!
First of all, to warp a clutch steel plate during
bead blasting, you need at least 200 psi. and some "gorilla" (read, coarse)
steel shot.
Second, any half brained monkey knows, if you
want smooth and even blasting, the pressure should be around 50 psi. MAXIMUM!,
and the nozzle positioned at a 45 degree angle.
And Third, when I said "bead blasting" I meant
either "Glass bead" or "Silica Sand", NOT sand, NOT steel shot or others.
Furthermore, you'll probably will subject the
plates to a higher bending pressure, sanding it by hand. (unless you "flat-sand"
the plate on a table, in which case the leading edge will get thinner than
the center)
BTW, I work for a precision shop too....
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