Hello all you creative people, I just know some or many can help me
with this problem. I am considering teaching a small wire jewelry
class soon but it isn’t at either my studio nor my classroom so I
will not have access to a large polisher. I have done this class
often before but always at the classroom with its electric tools and
equipment. Do any of you have some clever ideas as to how to either
carry and clump down a small polish wheel, if its affordable here! Or
what else can I do. I know about those sticks with cloth attached
that can be used by rubbing but I am not totally convinced this is
satisfactory. I think it will bore beginners and turn them off
because they can’t get a nice finish.
I am hoping to get some new thoughts and ideas for this new
adventure.
Sharron in cold Bahrain, 16 C. with no heat in my apartment.Dr. E. Hanuman
Aspler
Webmaster
i would think that the polishing job would simply be the last thing
to go over in the class…using a polishing cloth…it’s what i
do…i literally teach out of a duffle bag, carrying everything
needed to teach 6 or more people in one trip…including magazines
and other resource material (mind you, it weighs about 70 pounds…)
i’ve found that beginners enjoy even being able to wear something
they’ve made home! what kind of wire jewellery do you teach?
knitting? stone- or cameo-wrapping? chain-making? is it a one-day
class? in which case perhaps you could do the finishing polish as
they leave (i teach a one-day workshop, after which a complete
beginner may suddenly have a new hobby to be passionate about, and
perhaps even go on to take fuller courses with others)
hope everything goes well with it!
16C cold? wow. i thought -10C was warm…Erhard in currently snowy
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Do any of you have some clever ideas as to how to either carry
and clump down a small polish wheel
Hi Sharron!
There are small, hobbyist style buffers available for about US$100,
complete with buffs, rouge, etc. They only take 4" buffs, but are
pretty functional when mounted to a piece of plywood and clamped to a
table. They don’t have the horsepower of the full size unit, but they
also don’t have the bulk (or advantage) of the dust collection
system. Maybe a good thing the classes won’t be at your place!
Very transportable… I used one for a couple years before I could
afford a full sized unit. It’s a big improvement from trying to
polish everything with the flex shaft, which is another alternative.
P.S. Surprised to hear its cold in Bahrain! I guess I shouldn’t be,
since I heard it snowed in Saudi Arabia earlier in the week!
Sharon. Do you have an elec. outlet available at this class. You
could use a procraft junior polishing set that cost around $155.00
comes with a variable speed motor a kit of buffs, brushes and
polishes. ( You can rig one up using a Sewing machine motor. that is
exactly what it is made with but this has tapered spindles for the
buffs and a shield to keep the dirt from flying. check in a Grobet
Catalog to get the idea.Or you can order the polishing unit from
us.) If you do not have an outlet use a cordless drill perhaps one
with more than 12 Volts a 14V Rechargeable comes with two battery
packs and you could borrow that from someone. You can lock this to
run constantly (not having to hold the trigger. Use junior mounted
buffs and brushes as they use in the dental industry. Make sure you
secure it, keep your students from crowding over this, most of all
protect your eyes. Saigon sounds better than Bahrain.
Sharon, a nice finish can be made using fine grades of sandpaper and
finishing with a jeweler’s brass brush, soap, and water. If
electricity is not a problem and you are not doing big things, a
small vibratory tumbler from a gunshot is small, light, and with
stainless steel shot, will make things bright and shinny.
Sharron: I have seen a regular shop dbl wheel grinder converted to a
polishing wheel. Some have dual speed. The heavy grit hard wheels
come off, and soft cotton or leather or hard felt wheels can be
attached.
The cost of them is surprisingly low.$39 U.S. is not uncommon, even
for better brands.
Do any of you have some clever ideas as to how to either
Sharron,
Why not take a flexible shaft and a vise. Clamp the vise to the
table and secure the handpiece in the vice. A flexshaft is easier
to lug around than a polisher and you can use any of the mandrels
you have that would be appropriate. The drawbacks are no dust
collection and maintaining proper speed with the rheostat.
Your idea is very doable. And, if one is a bit handy, there is
about two or three ways a small shop vac can be attached to the wheel
housing to suck out the polishing residue.
Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
elegance IS fine jewelry!
