"Ring Grain VS Cross Grain Blasts

[gervais]

I, as many of you, absolutely love a sandblasted pipe. I rarely even give smooth pipes any attention at all, come to think of it. I equally love any and all blasts, be it Ring Grain, cross grain, and the wacky ones in between, given they took the blast nicely. Do you guys prefer one or the other, or are you like myself and as long as the grain and rings are defined nicely, it'll do the trick.... As always, pictures are appreciated and highly encouraged around here of your personal examples!

 

[AroEnglish]

For blasts I love ring grain, am ok with wacky grain, and don't generally like cross grain. If it's cross grain I'd like to have a smooth. If it's ring and/or straight grain I'd like to have a blast.

 

[kcghost]

I prefer ring grain in blasted pipes.

 

[Sigmund]

I typically buy smooth pipes but I love a good ring grain blast. Ive got my eye on one.

 

[Scottmi]

hyper-blast ring grain make my knees weak.

 

[bullet08]

I usually go for ring grains of sorts when going for sandblasted finish. Don't want perfect ring grains. I want some character with little flow taking gentle curves. I deleted all my old pictures. There was another grain thread that has some of my pipes.

 

[dino]

I like a nice ring grain. Here's a favorite from my collection:

 

[VDL_Piper]

I have a question. Why don’t we see ring grain smooth pipes? I would imagine that they would express themselves much the same as a flame grain does only horizontally.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have a question. Why don’t we see ring grain smooth pipes? I would imagine that they would express themselves much the same as a flame grain does only horizontally.

It isn't readily visible until the softer material is blasted away though sometimes it peaks out just below the surface. Also, good zylem/phloem orientation doesn't guarantee good growth rings.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I like crosscut and ring.