Polishing flat surfaces

Jewelry Discussion
21 
    I could use a tool that provides a narrow strip (~3mm) of
sandpaper on a firm (and also narrow) "stick" where I can easily
and frequently advance the sandpaper to a fresh surface.

Hi Dale, There is actually such a tool! Try page 392 of Rio Grande’s
2003 Tools & Equipment catalog – check out item “A”: 3M Imperial
Micro-Finishing Sanding Stick Kit.

Hope this helps,
Jessica in SF, where I watched last night’s lunar eclipse from my couch.

22

Wooden paint stirrers make great sanding sticks. they even have a
handle. Make friends with your local paint store. Karen

23

Paint stirring sticks work well for this, and easier than cutting up
your yardsticks!

Margaret

24

The 3M micron-graded Wetordry Tri-M-ite polishing papers give a
mirror finish if you go thru the 6 grits on a flat surface with no
polishing on the buff necessary! Fantastic for getting a true flat
surface especially good for avoiding buff drag on pierced pieces.
This product really changed my life! Try the sample pack from Rio,
P.390.

Janet in Jerusalem

25

The sanding sticks used for ‘sculptured nails’ are wonderful for
sanding metal. Sue Dorman @Sue_Dorman
www.suedorman.com

26

Need a very small sanding stick which will reach into prong settings?

Take an old hacksaw blade, grind off the teeth and profile like a
barrette file. Round the edges and back by sanding and polish the
edges smooth. Now with double face tape, stick " Imperial Microfinish
film " on the saw blade. Trim off the excess with a sharp knife.

Available from RioGrande . Get the assortment pack. RioGrande is
still in my book. A great " find it " place.

ROBB

27

Hi there, the sanding sticks i use are about 4cm wide and 6mm thick.
The length is slightly longer than the emery paper. One thing I find
helpful is to score the emery paper (paper side) so that it makes a
nice crisp line when folded. I also use a rubber ‘o’ ring to hold
the emery paper on the stick. Eileen

28

Try the square emery sponge that beauticians use on your nails. they
are flexible, contour to your piece and do a fabulous job.

LaVerne

29 
they are flexible, contour to your piece and do a fabulous job.

Sorry to contradict, but if you want to keep a flat surface flat,
your sanding tool needs to be rigid, not flexible. The act of
contouring to the piece will cause flat surfaces to become rounded
off.

All the best,
Dave