advice needed on project - drill/barrel polisher

[choccie]

Hi everyone,

I find this site amazing for advice & I am a beginner so go easy on me:-) I am working on a pair of (0.8mm silver/brass sheet) half circle earrings with the ear post soldered on the straight side & looking for advice on how to finish them. I am aware there are lots of options and I am a bit overwhelmed as to what is the best option. I have gone down the grits by hand to buff out the scratches and achieve a kind of mirror finish (which I don't love as it shows up too much) & happy to a certain extent but it really takes too much time so I would like to use my drill to speed the process up.

I would like to get a barrel polisher or attachments for my drill & but would using a barrel polisher ,after sanding out scratches:

1. work harden the piece (in particular the ear posts)

2. achieve a matt finish?

3.Would it be less complicated to get a frosting attachment for my drill and do it that way?

4. For sanding what attachments do you recommend for the drill?

I know there are lots of options ! But I am so confused about what will be the most straightforward in reality. I know this is a simple enough design but I feel I am a bit stuck with how to finish the piece, so buffing out scratches, work hardening the ear posts & achieving a matt finish are proving to be very problematic.

I appreciate any advice!

Thanks,

Michelle

[Dennis]

I note, that you already asked most of this in early August, Michelle, so I am puzzled as to why you are asking the same question again.

Most of our recent conversations about tumblers can be found here: http://www.cooksongold.com/forum/sea...archid=1396714

To harden the posts, grasp them in several places with smooth pliers and give a quarter turn. Parallel pliers with a brass lining are least likely to leave marks and are cheapest on line. The posts will become stiff and you will have tested out your soldering.

Dennis.