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Idiots guide to polishing?
I'm a glass fuser, and about to pair that up with some PMC play. It's
been a loooong time since my metalsmithing class, and then we used these industrial machines for polishing and the like. I was thinking my Dremel would be a perfect inexpensive stand-in for those machines. I had hoped to find An Idiots Guide to Polishing, Complete with Tool Set online but have yet to do so. =-) Anyone suggest the best book that would get me back up to speed, or a web resource I've missed? Amy |
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#2
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Idiots guide to polishing?
lavachickie wrote:
I'm a glass fuser, and about to pair that up with some PMC play. It's been a loooong time since my metalsmithing class, and then we used these industrial machines for polishing and the like. I was thinking my Dremel would be a perfect inexpensive stand-in for those machines. I had hoped to find An Idiots Guide to Polishing, Complete with Tool Set online but have yet to do so. =-) Anyone suggest the best book that would get me back up to speed, or a web resource I've missed? Amy Your dremel would be ok for say polishing the head of a drawing pin or such like, but not much use for anythinmg else. also idiots and polishing unfortunately dont mix. See below There was a very good reason why your metalworking class had industrial polishing machines. Learners have a special ability to break tools. As for learning all about this skill, a good place to start is ANY basic guide on jewellery making. The best place for such a book is whats called a library, a bit old fashioned in this day of the net but the quickest place to get the essential information youll need to prevent you hurting yourself. or much better still is get on a jewellery making class and get the instructor to cover this subject for you. Mistakes with polishing engines can be horrendous. easy to lose an eye, or tooth, or worse. The taperd screw thread running @ say 1500 rpm if you get caught up in it would be through your hand in seconds.. difficult to get out of. You NEVER run up a polishing spindle WITHOUT a mop or felt bob on the taper EVER. |
#3
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Idiots guide to polishing?
On Nov 22, 1:17 am, lavachickie wrote:
I'm a glass fuser, and about to pair that up with some PMC play. It's been a loooong time since my metalsmithing class, and then we used these industrial machines for polishing and the like. I was thinking my Dremel would be a perfect inexpensive stand-in for those machines. I had hoped to find An Idiots Guide to Polishing, Complete with Tool Set online but have yet to do so. =-) Anyone suggest the best book that would get me back up to speed, or a web resource I've missed? Amy Well Tater Ted has a few valid points but he's absolutely wrong about the Dremel... With some practice you can polish just about ANYTHING with a DREMEL. It just takes longer... But who's going to polish a freakin' sheet of Stainless Steel with a DREMEL anyway ? Dremel's are GREAT for polishing and getting into the tight places in metal, folded glass, seams, etc. Because you are also using PMC Clay you'll actually find the DREMEL easier to work with than the most industrial machines. The industrial or PRO' units are great for any most any applications, but for some smaller items (such as porous PMC CLAY) you just can't beat the versatility of a DREMEL and the 'arsenal' of attachments that are presently available. Look around on the net and you'll find many places that show you how to use a DREMEL to polish, Cut, Saw, pierce, etc, etc.... Also, my experience has led me to believe that the library is acutally a really poor place to get information on polishing and the equipment used for that purpose. It seems to be REALLY, REALLY, outdated. Go to a good BOOK STORE or similar and you'll find what you need to get going. The other option is to actually 'go to' a finishing warehouse and see how hand polishing is actually done. You may even be able to trade a piece of slumped glass for a quick tutorial..."Who Knows" !! Another thing you shouldn't discount is a variable speed grinder / polisher. They can be had for about $100.00 to $200.00 and work UNBELIEVABLY well. Just make sure you do a little research and find the proper attachments and meet or exceed the safety requirements and you'll be surprised at what you can turn out. Good luck, /CM |
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Idiots guide to polishing?
Another thing you shouldn't discount is a variable speed grinder / polisher. They can be had for about $100.00 to $200.00 and work UNBELIEVABLY well. Just make sure you do a little research and find the proper attachments and meet or exceed the safety requirements and you'll be surprised at what you can turn out. Good luck, /CM What sort of variable speed grinder/polisher? The only ones I can think of are the ones used to touch up welding joints, didn't think that they were polishers too. CR |
#5
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Idiots guide to polishing?
On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:17:56 -0800, "C Ryman"
discovered a keyboard and, for our edification and amusement, submitted What sort of variable speed grinder/polisher? The only ones I can think of are the ones used to touch up welding joints, didn't think that they were polishers too. CR Hopefully, the OP is talking about something like a Foredom... Blessed be, for sure... |
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Idiots guide to polishing?
Jman wrote:
On Nov 22, 1:17 am, lavachickie wrote: I'm a glass fuser, and about to pair that up with some PMC play. It's been a loooong time since my metalsmithing class, and then we used these industrial machines for polishing and the like. I was thinking my Dremel would be a perfect inexpensive stand-in for those machines. I had hoped to find An Idiots Guide to Polishing, Complete with Tool Set online but have yet to do so. =-) Anyone suggest the best book that would get me back up to speed, or a web resource I've missed? Amy Well Tater Ted has a few valid points but he's absolutely wrong about the Dremel... With some practice you can polish just about ANYTHING with a DREMEL. It just takes longer... But who's going to polish a freakin' sheet of Stainless Steel with a DREMEL anyway ? Dremel's are GREAT for polishing and getting into the tight places in metal, folded glass, seams, etc. Because you are also using PMC Clay you'll actually find the DREMEL easier to work with than the most industrial machines. The industrial or PRO' units are great for any most any applications, but for some smaller items (such as porous PMC CLAY) you just can't beat the versatility of a DREMEL and the 'arsenal' of attachments that are presently available. Look around on the net and you'll find many places that show you how to use a DREMEL to polish, Cut, Saw, pierce, etc, etc.... Also, my experience has led me to believe that the library is acutally a really poor place to get information on polishing and the equipment used for that purpose. It seems to be REALLY, REALLY, outdated. Go to a good BOOK STORE or similar and you'll find what you need to get going. The other option is to actually 'go to' a finishing warehouse and see how hand polishing is actually done. You may even be able to trade a piece of slumped glass for a quick tutorial..."Who Knows" !! Another thing you shouldn't discount is a variable speed grinder / polisher. They can be had for about $100.00 to $200.00 and work UNBELIEVABLY well. Just make sure you do a little research and find the proper attachments and meet or exceed the safety requirements and you'll be surprised at what you can turn out. Good luck, /CM All I have to add is that a 1/2hp 1500 rpm motor with a suitable taper spindle on it will take a 1/2in dia felt bob as well as a 6in dia mop of what ever type you might use. A dremel will not. As the enquirer is an absolute beginner by the sound of things a Dremel is not the machine for (Amy?) her. A general purpose polisher is the better bet. After all polishing time ispart of the cost of manufacture. Suggesting she uses a dremel for everything is not in her interest. |
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Idiots guide to polishing?
Thanks to all who responded, even those with attitude.
Well Tater Ted has a few valid points but he's absolutely wrong about the Dremel... Glad to hear that; given that the work I am planning will be small (pendants, etc.) and infrequent it seems like the best solution for me. Also, my experience has led me to believe that the library is acutally a really poor place to get information on polishing and the equipment used for that purpose. It seems to be REALLY, REALLY, outdated. Indeed... our local library seems especially so. (I was used to a A HUGE library in the university town I was in until a few years ago.) I did spend a little time at Borders on the floor perusing some metalworking books... they had like THREE. I got the general gist and took home the one that covered the most, because as I sat there reading, that coupled with the experience I had previously had me going, "oooh, and I could do this... and THIS... and... oooh I want to try this." =-) Another thing you shouldn't discount is a variable speed grinder / polisher. They can be had for about $100.00 to $200.00 and work UNBELIEVABLY well. Just make sure you do a little research and find the proper attachments and meet or exceed the safety requirements and you'll be surprised at what you can turn out. I'm not familiar with this type of tool... example? Thanks. Amy |
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Idiots guide to polishing?
All I have to add is that a 1/2hp 1500 rpm motor with a suitable taper spindle on it will take a 1/2in dia felt bob as well as a 6in dia mop of what ever type you might use. A dremel will not. As the enquirer is an absolute beginner by the sound of things a Dremel is not the machine for (Amy?) her. A general purpose polisher is the better bet. After all polishing time ispart of the cost of manufacture. Suggesting she uses a dremel for everything is not in her interest. What would be the challenges in using a Dremel, other than the small contact area, thus taking more time? I've used a Dremel for many projects and have the large variable speed unit. But the price point of the suggested grinder/polisher might be doable. Amy |
#9
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Idiots guide to polishing?
On Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:18:56 -0800, in rec.crafts.jewelry lavachickie
wrote: What would be the challenges in using a Dremel, other than the small contact area, thus taking more time? If what you are polishing is small areas at a time, or larger things with lots of texture or fine details, then the dremel will be just fine. The differences show up the most when you're trying to polish a larger smooth surface. larger buffs can work much of the surface at the same time, and you have an easy time of blending the polishing action from one area to another. this keeps the surface smooth and even, removing ripples and irregularities. If you are trying to polish such a surface with a dremel or small flex shaft tool, then because you're working such small areas at a time, there's a tendancy to not work the whole area evenly. In fact, the higher rotational speed of a dremel may even increase the likelihood of the small buff actually digging in slightly (Remember that buffing works by removing a little metal). So then, even if you started with a surface that was properly prefinished, nicely emery finished, etc, your final buffed surface can easily end up rippled and uneven. With the larger buffs or felt laps one can use on a full size motor, you don't get that problem. But as I said, if your items are not smooth even surfaces, but rather detailed or textured, or more strongly curved lines, then this may not be an issue. Dremels and flex shaft units are quite good at detailing and fine finishing of small areas at a time. Doing this accuratly and well, of course, takes practice and skill. A couple "books" you might want to get are, first, Karen Christiansens "Getting the most from your flex shaft". (I think that's the title) You can find links to buy it on the Ganoksin.com web site. It details nicely most of the many types of tools one can use in a flex shaft, and to a degree, how to use them. Most of what you do with a flex shaft can be transferred, at least partially, to use in a dremel tool. Secondly, get a few catalogs from major tools suppliers like Gesswein, Rio Grande, Otte Frei, etc. Even if these aren't instruction books, you find just studying the various products for sale, and their descriptions, will give you lots of decent starting ideas. These are also good sources for buying more books on jewelry making in general. And remember, even if you can't find a book to detail everything you need, between this group, and Ganoksin.com's Orchid mail list (the most active online discussion group for jewelers and metal artists on the net), there are always lots of folks willing to chime in with suggestions and tips and advice. cheers Peter Rowe |
#10
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Idiots guide to polishing?
I just wanted to do a little "follow-up" here -- another thanks to all
who chimed in. I've been playing and polishing and learning A LOT. Doing it all by hand has prepared me to know how/when to use polishing tools with my Dremel, something I am going to do with my next batch of babies. I've been working with Art Clay Silver slow dry/low fire and it's amazingly versatile, I can see why so many are hooked. I can also see the remaining attraction of the more traditional working methods. Just doesn't work for my budget/time/space resources. Not to mention skillset! I'm just a twiddler, looking for ways to express my own creativity and gift others, so my goals aren't world domination but just creating items for myself and gifts for others. My highest aspiration, perhaps, is a worthwhile reason to hang out at the farmer's market in my own booth someday, but that's more for creativity, fun and community than career. =-) If anyone is interested, I was surprised to find that Fire Mountain Gems has the best price on Art Clay Silver. A friend who gets her items from Rio Grand was sure they were cheaper, but we did a side by side comparison and for even one-off purchases, FMG had the best price. Amy |
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