Best polishing method after casting?

What is the best method of polishing after casting? tumbler,
magnetic, vibratory finishers, plastic, ceramic, stell…i works
with white gols and gold, what is the best method for my production
line?

 What is the best method of polishing after casting? tumbler,
magnetic, vibratory finishers,, plastic, ceramic, stell...i works
with white gols and gold, what is the best method for my
production line? 

nardon -

The way to think about using tumblers is that they are simply
machines doing what you do by hand. First you have to smooth the
metal. By hand you would use files and sand paper. In a vibratory
tumbler, you use abrasive media. With gold I like to use at least
two separate batches - the first one being more aggressive, and the
second batch with a finer media. As in hand work, you need to clean
and rinse the work between batches.

Then to polish - manually, you would use a buff. With a rotary
tumbler, I suggest using stainless steel media for a short time,
about 45 minutes. Then for a high flawless shine, go back to the
vibratory tumbler and run for 24 to 48 hours in a dry media of wood
chips and pegs charged with simichrome or a rouge paste.

Stones are set after all mechanical processes.

Biased self promotion - I wrote and published a book called “Tumble
Finishing for Handmade Jewelry.” I keep updating the and
its in its fourth edition now. Several Orchid advertisers stock the
book.

Judy Hoch, G.G.
@Judy_Hoch

Judy,

When a finished piece has a stone in place, cabachon of agate, or
similar. In what media combination can it be tumbled?

thank you,
Terrie

The way to think about using tumblers is that they are simply
machines doing what you do by hand. 

Hello Judy,

Thank you for posting that, it’s an interesting way of putting it. It
had never occurred to think of it that way but it makes a lot of
sense. Vibratory abrades and polishes while the rotary burnishes, yes?

I didn’t pick that up when I read through your book. Must take
another look.

Cheers,
Trevor F. in The City of Light

My caster has a magnetic tumbler and within 20 minutes all of my
casting are cleaned prior to the filing and pre-polishing. All of the
"nooks and crannies" are tumbled clean…the surface afterwards is
bright and clean from the casting glaze.

I prefer this “magnetic-method”, instead of the overnight tumbling
action…resulting in more control on the timing of the tumble…but
you gotta wash after each 20 minute increments…keep the water
clean…don’t immerse large casting trees…always keep the water
level ABOVE the items at all times…allow the small items to
circulate within the plastic container and the steel shots…allow
the steel shots to towel dry immediately and not to rust
afterwards…I would first trim off the “gates”…gerry!

When a finished piece has a stone in place, cabachon of agate, or
similar. In what media combination can it be tumbled?

Terrie - I don’t recommend ever tumbling any set stones in an
abrasive media. There is a difference of opinion on processing glass
cabochons in steel media. I’ve seen several glass artists assemble
their jewelry and then tumble in steel. What’s missing in that
process is the abrasive media to smooth the work… Either that
process is skipped or it is done by hand prior to processing in
steel.

If the tumbling is done to remove tarnish, not fire scale, in a dry
media such as green buff, harder stones such as jasper will usually
survive the process. But if you run a lot of pieces, they hit each
other and you can easily chip or break even a tough stone.

So, my recommendation is this: don’t do it. Finish the jewelry
completely in your tumblers, then carefully set your stones.

Judy Hoch, G.G.
@Judy_Hoch

I was a huge fan of the viborty tumbling … before I learned about
the magantic tumblers. The mag takes up a lot less space , the vib is
to many changes of media… it works better for me.

Andy " The Tool Guy" Kroungold
Tool Sales / Technical
Stuller Inc
Phone 800-877-7777 ext. 94194
Fax 337-262-7791

1 Like
 allow  the small items to circulate within the plastic container
and  the steel shots....allow the steel shots to towel dry 
immediately and not to rust afterwards...I would first trim  off
the "gates".

Good advice. And I’ll take this opportunity to once again throw out
my favorite tip about cleaning stainless steel shot. When your
stainless steel shot turns gray or black just tumble it in straight
Coca-Cola (no water). Fill the magnetic tumbler bowl with Coke to a
level of 1/2" or so over the top of the shot then turn on the tumbler
and let it run for about 15 minutes. You shot will become bright and
shiny again.

(I’ve tried it with Pepsi but it doesn’t do nearly as good a job as
Coca-Cola. And no I don’t have stock in Coke :slight_smile:

Best Regards,
Elaine

Elaine Corwin

Gesswein Co. Inc.
Tel: 1-800-544-2043 x287

   Good advice. And I'll take this opportunity to once again throw
out my favorite tip about cleaning stainless steel shot. When your
stainless  steel shot turns gray or black just tumble it in
straight Coca-Cola (no water). 

Coca-cola works great, but I have found a “secret” detergent that
will actually prevent the tarnish from ever forming in the first
place. It’s also wonderful in the ultrasonic cleaner! It’s “Tide
Cold Water” liquid detergent. I get it at the dollar general store
for about 6 bucks a container and mix it about 20:1. Works as good
or better than any commercial “burnishing compound” I have ever
used in the mag tumbler and ultrasonic and makes the shop smell nice
too.

Give it a try sometime and be pleasantly suprised.

Regards!
Ken Sanders
http://sandersjewelry.com

1 Like

Hi Gang,

  When your stainless  steel shot turns gray or black just tumble
it in straight Coca-Cola (no water). Fill the magnetic tumbler bowl
with Coke to a level of 1/2" or so over the top of the shot then
turn on the tumbler and let it run for about 15 minutes. 

Another product that works well for cleaning steel shot whether
it’s in a magnetic, rotary or vibratory tumbler is Draino.

I use a vibratory with about 5 lbs of stainless steel shot. When the
shot gets grungy & needs a cleaning, I add about 2 tablespoons of
crystal Draino & 4 oz of water. Let the tumbler run for about 1/2
hour & dump the liquid down the drain, rinse the shot under warm
water, clean out the bowl & replace the shot… The amounts aren’t
critical, I just pour until I think the amount is right & let it go
at that.

Dave

    When your stainless  steel shot turns gray or black just tumble
it in straight Coca-Cola (no water). 

Have you tried phosphoric acid (rust inhibiter)?

Bill Bedford

You can use the burnish compound with out any water… for about 40
mins

Andy " The Tool Guy" Kroungold
Tool Sales / Technical
Stuller Inc
Phone 800-877-7777 ext. 94194
Fax 337-262-7791

When your stainless  steel shot turns gray or black just tumble it
in straight Coca-Cola (no water). 
   Have you tried phosphoric acid (rust inhibiter)? 

Use Simple Green cleaner purchased at the grocery store.