Polishing & Hand Protection

I don’t wear gloves unless I am doing a big polishing job with many
pieces, in which case rubber gloves help protect against the
friction heat, and keep my hands a bit cleaner. They don’t last long.
I hold the piece carefully so as not to polish my fingers too much
(ouch). My thumbnails are very shiny.

I use Tripoli and have just swapped the rouge for the less messy
Hyfin. For a large piece you’d need gloves to protect against heat,
or spend time waiting for it to cool.

Tamizan

You can take numerous pieces to the buffer and simply switch off.
When the first gets too hot, grab another.

OK, I’ll pitch in my horror story too…

Way back when, my shop was doing a lot of silver, not jewelry but
table pieces, teapots, waiters etc. I had a heavy duty buffer of
about 3-4 horsepower, with, if I recall, a 14" corrugated wheel. You
could really lean into that machine and cut buff the worst scratches
and tool marks out quickly, but the work gets HOT! As a favor for a
good client I agreed to polish a brass doorknocker. Knocker caught on
the wheel and slipped out of my gloved hands, spun around the wheel,
came over the top and konked me smack between the eyes. The whole
incident took maybe a quarter second.

After I was able to stand up again, they took me to the emergency
room. Fractured skull (“Oh, that explains it”. hey, no comments from
the peanut gallery!) and 40some stitches.

I would rather burn my hands thank you. Or take longer to polish.

If you absolutely have to wear gloves I hope you have a two speed
buffer. Stuff yanks so much less at low speed.

there are thin leather gloves,they fit very well. protect from heat
and are safe as far as my 40 years of work is concerned. these horror
stories are no different than the fear of a solar eclipse 5,000 years
ago, cause somebody in the other valley(notice all these "accidents"
have happened to someone else) had sheep that died that night.

the story about the bangle incident is an example of some fool
polishing an object with the perfect shape for wheel to grab. maybe
would have lost more fingers and arm too without a glove,.who knows.
its much more the object you polish that determines the safety.yes i
have “lost” a ring or two in a buff but never even close to a
grabbed glove. hold your work in a way that if it does get loose
that’s all that goes flying. ten fingered

zev

Jo,

Thanks so much for the nit rile glove idea. Sometimes my nails and
cuticles have to look clean (black tie dinners, etc.) and only
bleach will do… which I hate using. This is a great alternative. I
looked on the internet and found there are various grades of these
gloves, and want to make sure I order the proper type. Can you give
me a link where you buy them or the specs please?

Thanks again,
Jamie

I know. isn’t it such a pain in the #$@ to have to wash your hands
after you move from Tripoli to rouge, and then again when your done
at the end of the day. Stuff gets hot and you have to wait for it to
cool a little bit or it gets hot, you loosen your hold a bit and it
flies into the hood. You have an itch and at the end of the day when
you look in the mirror you realize you’ve smeared polishing compound
on your forehead/cheek/nose… Ohhh, it’s all so much neater with
gloves. until that glove finger gets wrapped around the mandrel and
your finger(s) is trashed before you can say “Oh ****!!” It only
takes the one time. Think of it this way. take time to wash up or
take time for physical rehab.

I’ll put up with the dirt.

That’s my $0.02.

Mike DeBurgh, GJG
Henderson, NV

Steve,

I have been using white gloves from Euro tool they are tight to
the hand and have a thin grip coating and work GREAT! I haven't had
1 problem mainly because I pay attention to what I'm doing. The are
thinner than the finger covers that are thick and bulky. 

Earlier in this thread I described seeing a young polisher loose and
entire finger through using a glove while polishing. I know he was
paying attention, but made a mistake. And the gloves he was using
weree not all that dissimilar to the ones you describe. Thin cotton,
like the ones used to handle photo negatives. Tight fit, no slack in
the fabric. Easy to feel what you’re doing, but they protect the
metal from fingerprints and abrasion. But they didn’t protect his
finger when the glove caught. Probably slightly thinner than the
ones you’re talking about, but any glove can catch, and the stronger
it is, the more dangerous to your hand.

I’ve never yet seen a glove that is impervious to being caught on a
buff. And it only has to happen once. You’ve not had an accident
yet. That is no guarantee you won’t have one tomorrow. Yeah, they may
work GREAT? so far. But you’re playng a form of Russian Roulette. The
chance of losing that game may be small, but the price, if you do,
is too high.

Just don’t do it.

Peter Rowe

For a large piece you'd need gloves to protect against heat, or
spend time waiting for it to cool. 

Again, this seems like poor advice to new people who may wonder if
it’s the norm to wear gloves while polishing. It’s an accident
waiting to happen.

Helen
UK

You can get them at ARMSTRONG TOOL AND SUPPLY 800-446-9694 for
about $7.00 a pair. Never a broken finger!
http://www.armstrongtool.com/ArmstrongPg2.htm 

I’m not singling you out at all Steve, but in light of all the strong
posts we’ve had from many members about the dangers of using gloves
while polishing, I find it horrendous that companies such as
Armstrong Tools are actually actively selling what they call
“polishing gloves”!!! And no, you haven’t had a problem yet, because
you pay attention to what you are doing, but it only takes one
occasion to have some fingers ripped off. You don’t get warning
signs that it’s going to happen. It’s courting disaster to say the
least.

Any newbies wondering whether or not to wear gloves to polish, would
be well advised to follow the “DO NOT WEAR GLOVES WHILE POLISHING”
advice, rather than the “I’ve worn gloves for years and have never
had a problem” type advice. Things DO get caught in the wheel
sometimes and it’s scary as hell when it happens. When I used to use
my flexshaft for polishing, despite great care, I’d occasionally
have a chain wrap itself around the shaft and I’d have to step off
the pedal quickly and get all fingers out of the way until it stopped
spinning - and yes I know now NOT to polish chains with any kind of
spinning machine - I now tumble them to great effect. Then on the
bigger polishing machine, I’ve had cufflinks spat out at me after
being grabbed by the wheel. But if I had been wearing gloves on any
of these occasions, I’m pretty sure I would have been injured - and
possibly very badly. I value my hands too much.

Helen
UK

I am not often dogmatic on my suggestions or advice as they are
usually merely technical help. But on this issue I have very strong
feelings going back to when one could make individual hand made
chains and sell them for a reasonable price. I wrapped a heavy chain
round the spindle and lacerated both my hands. Also ruining an
expensive chain and a lot of work. So 40 years ago I fitted a ‘foot
press’ switch to my polishing system, which I find invaluable and has
saved me from several potential accidents. Down = on. Up =off It is
just so efficient not to have to switch on and off by hand when you
have to go through the polishes and mops. Also I keep a small
container of clean water to dip the ‘work piece’ in if it gets hot
especially when working with felt wheels. To keep your hands clean
use a barrier cream on your hands especially into your nails. I find
it difficult to wear any type of glove or finger tip thing! I have
tried! I used to a lot of polishing.

Have fun.

David
jewellerydavidcruickshank.com.au

I'll get some flack for this, but I use nitrile examination gloves
to polish in. I would NEVER wear latex. Jo brings a good point to
the table- as well let me add another reason not to use latex
gloves- Latex sensitivity. Continual use of latex products will
expose your skin to those proteins- and you will develop a
sensitivity. Especially where the polishing is concerned if you
are not wearing a respirator then any airborne particulate will as
well increase your sensitivity. 

-If you notice when you wear anything latex or use certain
tape/adhesive products a dry, cracking skin in the finger webbing or
nail beds, or itchy skin along the palm or wrist- you are more than
likely sensitive.

-It may not seem like much- but believe me- one person in your shop
is or becomes sensitive- you do not want to have to do the OSHA dance
of compliance… use nitrile for your own safety.

I always wear gloves, but they are made of leather so heavy that the
gloves will stand straight by themselves, if set up on their cuffs.
They also fit loosely and have thick seams on the outside. I have
never had these gloves “catch” in my buffing machine (bench
grinder). Admittedly, most of my jewelry is larger things which are
easier to grasp with heavy gloves. It’s great not to have to clean
buffing media off my hands.

There was a long Orchid discussion on this topic some time ago.

Judy Bjorkman

I agree with those who caution against the use of gloves while
polishing.

Why take a chance? Just a split second of distraction, and one runs
the risk of badly ripped fingers. It is a fact of life that accidents
happen. Better to have grimy fingers than no fingers.

If the heat of the wheel is bothersome, just back off a bit till
things cool then resume your polishing.

Alma

Just a word on wearing gloves when buffing: DON’T DO IT!!! I
absolutely refuse to allow anyone in my studio to wear gloves while
polishing. I’m not talking about thin latex exam gloves, but leather
or cotton work gloves.

Let me tell you the story about the young woman who was buffing a
piece of jewelry wearing gloves when the buffer caught her gloved
finger. It not only tore off her finger, but pulled a tendon right
out of her forearm, as well. Lovely, huh?

Perhaps the story is just Urban Folk Legend, and improvable, but
you’ll think about that grim possibility when you consider wearing
work gloves to buff, I guarantee you.

If the jewelry you’re buffing gets hot, then let it cool off before
re-buffing, or put a container of water next to your buffer, and dip
the piece being buffed into the water to cool it. I’ve noticed no
problems going back to the buffing wheels with wet ( and cool )
jewelry. ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES while buffing, or around any
fast moving equipment, as well.

Safety first!
Jay Whaley
Whaley Studios

I will side with the more experienced persons on this list, using
gloves while buffing is risky business.

I have only used gloves on very rare occasions while buffing, these
were large items and my hands were no where near the buffing wheel,
and I was still scared to death.

IF you are intimate with the buffing wheel, DO NOT USE GLOVES!!!

A lot of us making this recomendation have decades of polishing
under our belts. A cup of water is all you need to cool down the
piece if it gets hot, or use work holding devices.

P@

Bad mix, gloves and a rotating motor. Lots of instant torque. Flesh
and bone don’t appreciate force applied that way. Think of Chinese
finger cuffs connected to your buffing machine motor which is not
exactly easy to stall.

Sorry for the graphic…

J Collier
Metalsmith

Wearing gloves while polishing, cyanide bombing, HF in etch mixes,
mercury gilding etc etc…

Ah, so many ways to kill or maim yourself doing things which are
generally considered to be bad but might almost make sense. Almost.

I see enough posts about paranoia concerning swimming pool pickle or
bottled gas torches that it is amazing to see recommendations ( which
beginners might follow ) to do really dumb stuff. NO GLOVES EVER,
learn to wash your hands or live with 10 dirty fingers.

jeffD
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand

I have held off responding to the discussion of gloves vs. no gloves
while polishing on a bench polisher. I sure would not want to have
anyone follow my advice when there is so much advice against gloves
while polishing.

I have thought about all the comments against gloves and polishing
and can not figure how tight heavy leather gloves can by caught by a
buffing wheel any more that a bear finger can be caught. Tight
leather gloves do not have knuckles and loose skin to get caught in
the wheel.

Fingers can be grabbed by the wheel if the finger is perpendicular
to the wheel. The wheel can grab the finger and spin it around the
wheel. That can happen to either a bare finger or a gloved finger.

Fingers should always be place parallel to the polishing wheel while
polishing.

Cloth and rubber gloves are a problem in that they can be stretched
by the wheel and then be grabbed.

I have use heavy very tight leather gloves when polishing at least
35 years.

However I use vice clamps pliers with rubber pads on the jaws to
hold earrings to large buckles while polishing.

The pressure of the jaws against the work can be adjusted.

The gloves are mainly used to hold the hot jewelry while I
reposition it in the vice grips.

There are a few times when vice grips will not hold an item. In that
case I hold the item in my tight fitting leather gloves.

In 35 years I have worn out a large amount of leather gloves.

I have made several shapes of wood clamps to hold rings while
polishing them. Other than rings there is not much of my jewelry that
I can’t hold with the vice grips pliers.

I do hold my large pieced of pottery in gloved hands while polishing
them.

I must admit I do not have very fine delicate pieces of jewelry to
polish. However if I were to polish delicate pieces I would do it on
my Fordom.

Just a side note. Tripoli on a buff can sure burn a finger is held
against the wheel for an instant too long.

As I said earlier I sure would not want to have someone follow my
advice when there is so much evidence against buffing while wearing
gloves. However I will keep on wearing my leather gloves while
buffing.

For those of you who are vacuum casting be sure to read my paper on
how to prevent fire scale while casting. it’s a very simple process.

My blogs
http://leessilver-lee.blogspot.com/

http://leessilver.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

That’s my two cents.
Lee Epperson

I agree with Helen’s post. I feel I am an experienced polisher and I
tried wearing nitrile gloves and somehow got my glove tangled around
the spindle, and I kid you not, my fingers twisted and literally
STOPPED the motor! I was in shock and quickly turned off the motor
with my other hand. I unwrapped my glove and fingers from the tapered
spindle and I was relieved that I had not broken a finger. I was
lucky, it was very scary, never again have I worn gloves. Dirty hands
do clean up.

Sara

Hi Zev,

Yesterday I was polishing some brass and copper on my buffer. I
seldom go without my gloves. I have a big exhaust buffer and stand
to work. I also spend most of my day working in gloves, leather, and
have, over the years, developed the feel and am used to tacking up
my horse in colder weather. When you are working with a 1200 lb.
animal that sometimes disregards the fact that a human is present,
you learn to work quietly and efficiently and very quickly. Straps
and buckles are very tiny and important to safety.

Anyway, I am used to wearing good strong fitted leather gloves, and
am very aware of how metal bits can get grabbed by the wheel. With
smaller bits I don’t use my gloves, and I can use the ring mandrel
for insides of things. I think it’s a matter of what you are used to,
and how you adapt to wearing gloves.

I’m all for safety, believe me, working with horses has taught me
that, and still things happen. I always wear a helmet when I ride,
or even work on the ground. I always wear steel toed boots, when I’m
in the barn or the studio.

But as for buffing, I use my fitted leather gloves and pay
attention. If I’m tired or not focused, I wait until I am. I think
it’s a matter of how you buff, how you hold, the height and placement
of the machine. If I were teaching, I would NEVER expect students to
wear gloves because I did. Safety does have rules of the road, and
there are reasons for it.

That said, in my studio, I wear my gloves. It’s what I’m used to and
using machines for over 30 years, haven’t had a problem yet. Doesn’t
mean I won’t, but it doesn’t mean I will. I also am polishing much
larger items, bigger surfaces, and like I said, each person has
their own way of doing things which WORKS for them.

Dinah

Perhaps the story is just Urban Folk Legend, and improvable, but
you'll think about that grim possibility when you consider wearing
work gloves to buff, I guarantee you. 

Jay’s story might or might not be true, if he didn’t witness it
personally, or know someone who did, etc. But the story I told
earlier in this thread, of a young (maybe 20 years old) polisher who
did loose a finger in a glove, happened in 1989, and I was six feet
away using a cleaner on the other side of the polishing room when it
happened. I didn’t see it happen, but heard it, saw the towel wrapped
hand, the bloody glove and the both of them with the shocked young
man all bundled off quickly to the emergency room, where surgeons
found the finger too mangled to reattach. No tendons pulled from the
arm, but this was bad enough. This one happened. No urban legends
here.

Polishers can be dangerous. I also recall the fellow graduate
student, my first year in grad school, who was buffing edges of these
triangular pieces of titanium sheet. about 3 inches on a side, she
was using a big stand up industrial machine. Maybe 18 inch wheels, no
dust guard or good. Gloves played no part in this, but it illustrates
the fact that buffers can be dangerous with even a moments
innattention or error in technique. The point on one of those
triangles snagged in the buff, which grabbed it, whipped it around
about 180 degrees or so before it let go, which threw it right back
at her like some sort of ninja throwing star. One of the points hit
her square in the sternum where it stuck. She walked back into the
grad studio and asked whether it would be Ok to just pull it back out
by herself. I think the pain hadn’t quite hit yet… If that had hit
just a bit to either side, and not hit her sternum, it could have
been much worse. Might easily have penetrated her chest wall had it
hit between ribs…

And there are more war stories. Personally, I’ve been pretty lucky
over the years. A few whacked fingers when chains broke or a ring
jammed on a felt ring finger buff, but nothing seriously broken.

Yet.

Please be carefull when buffing. I said it before, and will repeat
it. In my opinion, buffing motors are among the most potentially
dangerous machines we use. Use then right and with care, and they
work magic for us. Use them wrong, and they can be instantly
unforgiving.

cheers
Peter Rowe