Anyone used Brooksides...?

[Swamp]

Anyone used Brookssides new blasted aluminum? I have some headed my way. This is the first time I've seen blasted aluminum listed on there sight.

[stone road turkey calls]

let us know how it turns out.

[| Justin |]

I placed my first order with them recently too, but I understand they're quite backlogged and currently are estimating 10 business days for order processing... another forum I belong to has many people speaking highly of them so I thought I'd check them out.

[Swamp]

I've used them for every call I have made and usually get my orders fast. Never had any problems

[stone road turkey calls]

did you read the imfo on there black blasted aluminum, it's going to be grey not black when you get it due to the blasting method.

[Swamp]

yes i did see that.  I wanted to get some green alum form grassy creek but they were out of stock.
color doesn't really matter as long as i actually don't have to sand this aluminum like i did with there other aluminum.

[lightsoutcalls]

The color of the aluminum is determined by the anodizing, not the blasting.  I talked to a guy in Tulsa that runs a business that anodizes anything you can imagine.  He told me that there are so many shades of black available that it is mind boggling.  (shades of black?  )  He also said that the cleaning of the product prior to anodizing can effect the end color.  I had him anodize some blasted aluminum in gold.  Even then, there were issues with color consistency in the same batch.

[Cut*N*Run]

The color of the aluminum is determined by the anodizing, not the blasting.

The Brookside aluminum is black anodized on the underside and gray on the blasted side so in this particular case, I do think something to with the blasting gives it that color. Either the medium he uses or the depth of the blasting??

Either way, I tried a couple pieces and it's fine stuff. The anodization seems a little thinner than others I've used. When I had the Brookside stuff, I didn't have any "regular" blasted aluminum on hand to compare weight or diameter. The two pieces I had made very good sounding calls though.

[lightsoutcalls]

Maybe I worded my statement wrong.  From the pieces I have had anodized in Tulsa, the smooth side had a shiny appearance (like the underside that you mentioned being black).  The textured side had a flat appearance that may look lighter in color, due to the fact that it has a matte finish due to the texture.  The textured side may appear lighter than the smooth side for sure.  That said, the gentleman who does anodizing for a living did state that there are many "shades of black" colorant available.  Again, the cleaning process (or lack thereof) done after the blasting and prior to anodizing may also effect the way the colorant sets on the textured surface. 
I was not familiar with the process of anodizing, so the gentleman explained that the liquid in the anodizing tanks is "electrified", which actually causes it to penetrate the pores of the aluminum surface.  I didn't realize aluminum had pores either.   
I'll just take your word on the color difference and stick with Grassy Creek.  It's a good idea to order your call supplies well in advance of the time you need them.  I order my anodized aluminum in the fall for use in the spring. 

[Swamp]

if i made more calls than what i do i would order well in advance. I just started last year and only make a few calls for friends eventually when I get to the point i think i can sell on here i may put some in the classys.

[racksnspurs]

I placed my first order with them recently too, but I understand they're quite backlogged and currently are estimating 10 business days for order processing... another forum I belong to has many people speaking highly of them so I thought I'd check them out.

If anyone calls and they are told orders are backlogged let me know.  I live in the same town and know Joe.  I could go to the shop and get your stuff shipped out.

[stone road turkey calls]

I ordered two of the black anodized blasted aluminum, and yes they are grey like grey primer. built two calls and they looked good with the grey, and sounded great. but be careful i got a little goop on the surface and could not get it off, and it turned black where the goop got on it. had to pop the surface off and trash it. i will buy some more i like them.

Gary

[fletchy]

ordered 16 glass 16 walnut sound boards and 16 purple heart striker rods from brooksides, everything looks great but a few sound boards a warped.

[pappy]

I have used Joe's stuff for years, the black anodized works well, but I did have a consistency problem, ( I wasn't matching the striker material to the anodized material!!!) sure wasn't Joe's fault.... Cleaning the item is a must for consistent coverage, but the sound is the makers problem.