Tools & Abrasives buying guideLast updated October 2026

Bush Hammer, Brush and Sandblast Tools

Anti-slip and decorative textures.

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Price level
Budget
Best to buy
Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov
Top sources
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Hand-tooled sandstone ashlar showing a textured dressed finish

Photo: Coyau, CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

What it is

Texture tools create anti-slip and decorative finishes. Bush hammer plates and rollers, with carbide or diamond points, pulverise the surface for a rustic, grippy texture. Abrasive brushes, with silicon-carbide or diamond filaments, give soft leathered and antique finishes. Sandblasting with garnet creates a fine matte texture and is used for lettering.

Results vary with the stone's mineralogy, so always trial on the actual stone.

Finishes
Bush-hammered, leathered, antique, sandblasted
Tools
Bush hammer plates and rollers, abrasive brushes, garnet grit
Mounts
Line heads, angle grinders, CNC
Uses
Anti-slip steps and paving, textured walls

Applications

Best used for

  • Anti-slip paving and stairsTexture adds grip outdoors.
  • Leathered countertopsSoft, touchable surfaces.
  • Antique and aged looksBrushed and tumbled effects.
  • Lettering and façade texturesSandblasting with masks.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for bush hammer, brush and sandblast tools, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Consumables are bought all year, so timing is about stock: order ahead of the Lunar New Year shutdown in China and the August break in Italy, and buy trial quantities at the spring and autumn fairs.

  1. Jan: slower or pricier
  2. Feb: best time to buy
  3. Mar: best time to buy
  4. Apr: best time to buy
  5. May: normal
  6. Jun: normal
  7. Jul: normal
  8. Aug: slower or pricier
  9. Sep: best time to buy
  10. Oct: best time to buy
  11. Nov: best time to buy
  12. Dec: normal
Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier
  • Chinese toolmakers close for Lunar New Year; place large orders by early December.
  • Italian and Spanish makers slow in August.
  • Hold four to eight weeks of stock of your fastest-moving tools to ride out shipping delays.

Import costs

Tariffs and import duties

Base duties for the main import markets, the extra US surcharge by origin, and the trade remedies to check before you quote a landed price.

HS codes

  • 9603.50Brushes forming machine parts
  • 8207.90Bush hammer tools
  • 2513.20Garnet and natural abrasives

Base import duty (MFN)

  • United StatesFree to 5%Brushes and garnet free; bush hammer tools 3.7% to 5%.
  • European Union0% to 2.7%Garnet 0%; brushes and tools 2.7%.
  • United Kingdom2%Third country duty for heading 9603 items is 2%.

Importing into the US? Add the 2026 origin surcharge

Section 301 rates in force since 24 July 2026, stacked on the MFN rate above.

  • Italy flagItaly10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • China flagChina+12.5% & 30112.5% Section 301 (2026) plus the legacy China Section 301 duty (25% on most stone and machinery lines), on top of MFN.
  • India flagIndia+10%Section 301 (2026) adds 10% on top of the MFN rate.
  • Australia flagAustralia+12.5%Section 301 (2026) adds 12.5% on top of the MFN rate.
  • UK imports of brushes from China under heading 9603 are subject to a 2% duty with no anti-dumping measures as of September 2026.

Rates checked October 2026. Indicative rates for planning, not a customs ruling. Duties depend on the exact tariff line, origin, trade agreements and the rules in force on the day of entry. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price an order.

Before you order

Buying checklist

  1. 1Trial the finish on a sample of the actual stone.
  2. 2Use a consistent brush grit sequence.
  3. 3Check slip resistance after texturing.
  4. 4Dry bush-hammering releases silica dust: use extraction.

Price level: Low tool cost; the value is in the finish.

Vendor Network

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