Here are some answers for everyone…It removes any plier or tool
marks from setting…it shines any neighbouring gold trim near the
setting areas…it smooths the surrounding areas so that there is a
"blending of metal surfaces"…It makes the polishing process so
much easier and it makes a more cleaner finish…so why not use my
technique?..Pumice wheel come in at only 180 grit with either a Flat
surface or a “Tapered-to-a-Point” design. I usually buy a gross of
each shape, almost twice a year, or 576 pcs. in total. I explained
this technique to my friend Orchid member=>Jennifer Friedman a few
weeks ago…Now she is using my idea constantly in her workshop. No
one can say that they can’t afford the few cents of each wheel, look
at it this way…YOU CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO BUY THEM…Gerry!
It removes any plier or tool marks from setting...it shines any neighbouring gold trim near the setting areas..it smooths the surrounding areas so that there is a "blending of metal surfaces".
I LOVE the pumice wheels, they’re brilliant! I file using different
grades of files and then you’ve obviously got some scratches left
from the files. I then use the pumice wheels and they create a
beautifully even sort of brushed finish which is very smooth to the
touch. Thereafter, I use bristle brushes with three grades of
polishing compound and I’m now getting a lovely finish. As Gerry
says, without the pumice wheels, the polishing process would be more
difficult and would not produce such a clean finish. I was advised
by someone to use them a while ago and would be lost without them.
Helen
UK
I know a fellow diamond setter who hadn’t even thought of using
these little clean-up pumice wheels…he showed me his setting…not
once did he even attempt to finish-off of this cleaning process. It
appears to me, not many setters are using them…this seperates the
"men from the boys"…(no gender discrimination meant here!) He was
setting about 350+ stones on a $50,000 bangle. All he needed was a
few minutes more of a simple application of these little wheels.
Why use them? the polisher is trying to remove any little marks from
the gravers and filing…so the tripoly compound has to work harder to
remove them, hence the metal is getting worn away at the same time.
By the time the customer gets the item, already the metal is due for
retipping!
As his jeweller brother is far more advanced in the clean-up than
his setter-brother, I didnt feel it was in my best interest to say
anything. As I work with him very regularily…I do feel the best
’grit’ is the 180 for most of us to use on a daily basis…
gerry!
The brown fine polishing wheel is the only kind i use. After all of
the rings are sized and have been finished with sand paper all of the
shanks are rubber wheeled inside and out with this wheel before
polishing. It really saves time at the polishing stage. im a
contractor and size about 30 rings a day. This wheel is great for
platinum too. If you are not finishing your Jewelry out with this
wheel before Lapping. Please give it a try.I can not say enough about
this step before polishing.
Thanks Johneric