Originally Posted by
Dennis
I've forgotten how you polished your first piece Tasha, but polishing with compounds is decidedly tedious and mucky. the first thing is to work as cleanly as possible, so that the wires and additions keep their smoothness. When finished, try brushing it all over with a wet and soapy jewellers brass brush. For many items that is the only finishing I do.
Next if you feel some parts need more attention, then flat parts can quickly be brought up with three or for grades of Micro-Mesh, say 3600,4000, 6000 and 8000grit. This is a rubbery abrasive cloth, best Googled for the cheapest offer.
For any complex area try about four grades of radial disk on your hand held motor. The are rubber bristles brushes, used dry.
If you envisage making a good number of circlets in the future a professional size tumbler would work for you, but they are much more pricy and used with soap would do a high class burnish without removing any detail, but at the same time would not deal with any scratches or sharp edges.
I have seen various references to hardening the wire, but I would have thought that making them flat and then bending to shape at the end would give them all the hardness they need. Dennis.
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