Abrasive Blasting, Shot Peening & Surface Prep worked example

Blast Masking Time at 11% handling and verification allowance: a worked example

This worked example runs the blast masking time numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 11% handling and verification allowance instead of the typical 15%. Estimate masking labor hours from mask points or linear feet, masking rate, and handling allowance.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Areas to mask: 180 features (held at the documented default)
  • Masking application rate: 45 features / hr (held at the documented default)
  • Handling and verification allowance: 11 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 15)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Base masking time = masking workload รท masking rate.
  • Masking labor time works out to 4.44 hr at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Base masking time works out to 4 hr at these inputs.
  • Handling allowance works out to 11 % at these inputs.
  • Masking rate works out to 45 features / hr at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where handling and verification allowance sits at 15% and the headline result is 4.6 hr, this scenario comes in 3.48% below the baseline at 4.44 hr.
  • Use it when a drawing calls out protected surfaces, when peening specs require documented masking, or when masking is on the critical path of a blast cell schedule. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Masking labor time: 4.44 hr (headline result)
  • Base masking time: 4 hr
  • Handling allowance: 11 %
  • Masking rate: 45 features / hr

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Blast Masking Time calculator, set handling and verification allowance to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.