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Does the Micro Hone Perform the Same As Our Other Machines? 

Are you a hobbyist or a small business owner? Are you looking for a better way to clean your parts? Then why not start off with the Micro Hone? Read on and find out how the Micro Hone can easily perform the same as our other machines.

The Similarities Between the Micro Hone and Our Other Machines

The Micro Hone shares two similarities with all of our machines: the finish and the slurry mixture. All our machines can achieve a smooth, bright, and consistent finish. There is a misconception that the Micro Hone’s small stature cannot produce acceptable surface finishes. This statement is false. Don’t believe me, then check out this video comparing the finish of a Micro Hone to a VH800P FL on a carburetor. 

The reason for this consistency is that all of our machines use the same abrasive to water ratio. By utilizing this ratio, the water cushions the abrasive enough that it doesn’t damage your part, but still creates a great finish. Another reason for our great finish is our agitation system. Though the agitation systems are different among all of our machines, they still recycle the slurry back through the system and create the same finish. Those are the only similarities amongst our machines, they are the most vital aspects of the wet blasting process. Thus, proving that the Micro Hone is a quality machine. 

Differences between the Micro Hone and Our Other Machines

Size and Usage

The sizes of our machines vary greatly. The smallest of our machines is the Micro Hone with internal dimensions of 17” W x 13” D x 13” H, while the whole cabinet size is 20” W x 29” D x 24” H. These small proportions make the machine easy to move with a pushcart anywhere you need it.  Its size also allows you to comfortably put your parts in and take them out of the cabinet. 

Speaking of parts, the Micro is great for blasting carburetors, jewelry and other small items. However, it is not great for bigger parts like an engine, which the Weekend Warrior would be perfect for. The internal dimensions of a Weekend Warrior are 33” W x 30” D x 28” H, nearly twice the size of the Micro’s internal dimensions. Due to the size of the Weekend Warrior, and the rest of our big machines, they require a freight truck for shipping. The Micro Hone is the only vapor honing machine that can be shipped by UPS because of its small yet adequate build.

The Micro Hone inside a VH 1000 HD

Material Used

The Micro Hone is made of HDPE, the same polymer that is used for our plastic cabinets. This material is extremely durable, as seen in this video Beyond being durable, they also don’t corrode and rust like some of our competition’s metal cabinets do. 

Components that Run Our Machines

Now, let’s look the components that contribute to the blasting process and see what makes the Micro Hone different. For one, the Micro Hone does not use electricity, as it runs on air power alone. It does this by operating its slurry pump with air, which machines like the Weekend Warrior, VH800 FL, and others use electric pumps for.

Air Compressors and Impellers

As mentioned before, the Micro Hone uses a different style pump to circulate your slurry, opting for a diaphragm rather than an impeller. It also, being smaller, uses smaller airlines to deliver the blast air to the blast gun. Less air is required using this setup, which means that the Micro Hone can be operated using a small shop compressor. Being able to operate the Micro Hone with a less expensive, and potentially portable air compressor is another one of its advantages.

Price

Due to all these differences, the prices of our machines vary greatly. The Micro Hone is our most economical machine because it has no electricity, foot pedal, or window wiper. It is made out of HDPE plastic, making it significantly cheaper than metal. Another bonus is that shipping is cheaper because you can use UPS since it is such a small machine. When it comes to pricing our machines, the Micro Hone has an incredible price to performance ratio.  

Conclusion

Overall, the Micro Hone is a smaller, less expensive machine that can use a small shop compressor to operate it. The Micro provides the same smooth and bright finish Vapor Honing machines are known for, and performs well in most other aspects when compared to them. 

If you want to test out one of our machines, go with the Micro and get the same great finish at a low cost. Then, over time if you need a larger cabinet that gives you the same quality finish, you can upgrade using our trade-up program. For more information on the Micro Hone or our other machines, please contact us at 828-202-5563.

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Written by Sarah Delventhal