Hi
Abrasive sheets aka sandpaper, are an essential in the workshop.
I recently ran out of my abrasive disks, grey wheels, and so went
back to sanding sticks.
Wrapping sand paper around square sticks and tapping on the ends
with paper tape.
I use 800, 1200 and 3000. The 3000 is from Japan I buy it from HOJ.
It does a great job and actually burnishes the metal. I was shown this
by Andrew Pitcairn from Euromount. He is an English trained diamond
mechanic. It is amazing how these “old guys” teach you trade secrets
and gem setting for nothing. Euromount have genuine signet ring
blanks English assay marks etc. The ones in sterling are a joy to make
up and work better than any sterling I have had from Australia. Seems
English sterling for these drop forged blanks is a superior metal.
I have had newbies ask me why I give them trade secrets. I tell them
that you are no competition to me until you have has many years on
the bench as me you can match my quality but you will never work as
fast as me. What takes you 2 hours takes me one.
I used the abrasive disk to clean up bezels and solder joins. Well
would you believe it, the sanding sticks do a better job and are
faster.
Today got my order from the House of Jewellery HOJ and in it were
stitched cotton buffs, as the swans down were out of stock. I mounted
the first one and thought here we go it will be snowing in a minute.
Then a eureka moment.
Shoved the end of my shop vac into the buff for about 30 seconds,
yahoo no snow. Also got some nylon flat and steel half round pliers.
Had not got these before as the nylon had the attaching screw on the
inside, WTF? These do not it is on the back and they are way far
cool.
I tend to stick with my long time suppliers as last time I was in
Sydney the opposition tool supplier was in the same building as my
gem dealer O’Neils Affiliated. In spite of me carrying bags with the
gem dealers name on the the shop assistants were more interested in
having a chat than taking my money. Also were stocking display busts
that I had just bought for $4 on sale for $13. Went to HOJ spent
hundreds of $$. Also HOJ staff really know their product.
Can’t wait till I win the lottery, I would love to say “I will have
one of everything, please.”
Only problem with HOJ is Selwyn’s mental health, he goes for the
Springboks football team LOL!
I just but from HOJ and Euromount and recommend them because there
is never a problem, unless the Springboks have won LOL.
Richard