|
Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 5, 2014 15:05:54 GMT -5
So I got my tapered spindles for the motor & now I am ready to get some buffs for it. What size should I get? 4", 5" 6" What kind should I get? Muslin, chamois or both How many?
|
|
|
Post by radio on Jan 5, 2014 15:32:11 GMT -5
I like 6 inch and use an assortment depending on the piece to be polished. Razor edge buffs work well for many things and are good for polishing smaller pieces, bezels and the like. I like the Yellow with leather center here. www.sfjssantafe.com/items.php?Gid=336&ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools A wider buff works better for larger pieces and flat backs on pendants though. I also use a 3 inch bristle brush with a wood center on the other side and use either bobbing compound or white diamond to remove light scratches prior to polishing. Zam is an excellent polish for silver and even works well with softer stones like Turquoise. Forgive me if you are aware, but please do not try to polish chains by hand! They make a special wooden tool for that, but I wrap them around a 1 inch dowel. even then they can grab and ruin the chain, or worse yet, pull your hand(s) into the wheel or shaft. No loose clothing and no long, loose hair and always wear a dust mask and safety glasses. I once witnessed a woman get a large chunk of hair ripped out of her scalp because it got wrapped around the wheel and shaft. as experienced as I am, I still occasionally have a piece grabbed and slung against the dust collector. I also wear the cheap nitrile gloves from harbor freight when polishing
|
|
|
Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 5, 2014 15:48:47 GMT -5
Hadn't even thought about polishing chain like that! Thanks for mentioning it, now for sure I won't! I have short hair so no worries there. Why the gloves?
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jan 5, 2014 15:50:37 GMT -5
Donnie, I don't know what size work you will be doing, but I will probably be working small. I've done some research and asked a lot of questions of some people. As a result, I have ordered these... radial bristle discand micro meshBoth are supposed to be really good for jewelry work. Both are supposed to be long lasting, too.
|
|
|
Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 5, 2014 15:56:56 GMT -5
Thanks, Tela, I already got the bristle disc. I have been using them on my rings & wraps. They are great! Not real sure how I would use the others?
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on Jan 5, 2014 16:00:42 GMT -5
They are for hand finishing. I will probably be do all hand finishing. They are great for finishing because they don't leave scratches. They work differently than reg sandpaper. I haven't tried them yet, but a lot of people swear by them.
|
|
|
Post by radio on Jan 5, 2014 17:24:12 GMT -5
Hadn't even thought about polishing chain like that! Thanks for mentioning it, now for sure I won't! I have short hair so no worries there. Why the gloves? I sometimes polish several pieces a day and the gloves keep all the polish and black gunk off my fingers as I find my fingers and thumbs sometimes get dry and crack open to the point of bleeding if I don't protect them. also, my fingers get rubbed by the wheel on smaller pieces and it helps preserve my fingerprints I have tried the vet wrap tape, but it's too thick and I loose the feel of the the piece I'm polishing I also use the radial discs on occasion , but they are not a substitute for bristle brushes with cutting compound and buffing wheels with polishing compound in production work. They are expensive 'lil devils also
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,777
|
Post by gemfeller on Jan 5, 2014 17:30:01 GMT -5
Forgive me if you are aware, but please do not try to polish chains by hand! They make a special wooden tool for that, but I wrap them around a 1 inch dowel. even then they can grab and ruin the chain, or worse yet, pull your hand(s) into the wheel or shaft. No loose clothing and no long, loose hair and always wear a dust mask and safety glasses. I once witnessed a woman get a large chunk of hair ripped out of her scalp because it got wrapped around the wheel and shaft. as experienced as I am, I still occasionally have a piece grabbed and slung against the dust collector. I also wear the cheap nitrile gloves from harbor freight when polishing Excellent safety tips. And don't forget about skin burns caused by getting things (especially Sterling) too hot while polishing! Ouch! On heavy pieces like ring mountings I wear leather finger cots for burn protection. If you haven't used buffers previously, get into the habit of working with the lower part of the buff only. Grasp items you're polishing somewhat loosely so if an item does get grabbed it won't take part of your hand with it. No matter how experienced you are you'll still have occasional problems. I've lined the bottom tray of my buffer with scrap carpet pieces to help prevent damage when items go flying.
|
|
Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
|
Post by Tom on Jan 5, 2014 18:44:54 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jan 5, 2014 20:42:52 GMT -5
This here is my handy, dandy little motor I got at a garage sale for $10.00.
|
|
|
Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Jun 4, 2014 6:51:06 GMT -5
Okay, so given this particular motor what size buff would be better to use? Is there a way to control the speed or do I need to bother?
|
|
|
Post by radio on Jun 4, 2014 8:26:03 GMT -5
Okay, so given this particular motor what size buff would be better to use? Is there a way to control the speed or do I need to bother? No need to bother wit a speed control. I still would go with 6 inch buffs. I like white diamond on the bristle brushes and Zam on the polishing buff. Use an old toothbrush and dish soap to get the polish residue out of the piece, then a quick dunk in an ultrasonic cleaner will get the rest out of the crevices. Be certain any stones used in the piece are safe for ultrasonic though. Opal and turquoise should not go in there The sandpaper Tela recommended should work great. I use these www.sfjssantafe.com/items.php?Gid=347&ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools the stick gives you something to hold on to and the belt can be inched forward using a thumb and finger to expose fresh grit. after using a well worn 600 grit, I then go to the bristle brush with white diamond, clean the piece and then polish with Zam to a mirror finish. PS. I would build some kind of hood to enclose the back of the buffer. Gunk from the wheels and fuzz from the buff makes quite a mess. consider wearing a cheapie filter over nose and mouth. Also, a shop vac will help pull some of the gunk so it doesn't go everywhere good luck
|
|
zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by zarguy on Jun 11, 2014 10:25:41 GMT -5
Donnie, Most people use 3450 RPM motors for jewelry buffing. Yours is half that speed. I'm not sure of the actual effect of the lower speed motor. Lynn
|
|
rocpup
spending too much on rocks
Pink Limb Iris
Member since March 2011
Posts: 465
|
Post by rocpup on Jun 24, 2014 8:55:42 GMT -5
Hi Donnie I would save that motor for another project. The 1725 RPM will work but very slow. Look around for a six inch table grinder. They are 3450 RPM and work well. HTF have them on sale once in awhile. Build a cover for it and line it with short nap carpet. Pieces do fly from your fingers and smash up against something and when you find it many times you might have a few choice words to say to yourself. DO NOT hold the piece loosely. As someone said do not polish chain even worse a pendant on a chain. Yes your fingers turn black. Don
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jun 24, 2014 16:49:25 GMT -5
They make inexpensive ring clamps that hold rings and other small items while buffing. Since you already have the tapered mandrels I would try the motor you have. You might find it works fine and less likely to grab your work. If you are mounting the motor on a table or board, measure from shaft center to table. I'm guessing 4" would work well. I've always sold treated yellow buffs for use with tripoli or White Diamond and flannel buffs for rouge, Zam, etc. I have lots of 4" buffs in stock and somewhere a few 6" that came with a used but never used jewelry buffer I sold without the buffs.
|
|