Polishing screws

oiseau metal arts

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not sure what others might use, but a stick with sandpaper has worked for me. work up to 2000.

after that a piece of hard leather charged with diamond spray.

polishing compound on the leather also works, but I like the diamond spray better.
 

FANCYGUN

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I put the screw in a drill and spin it while I use the paper backed by a wood stick. A lot faster this way and you keep the screw head nicely domed. For a flat head screw hold it in a vise between two pieces of wood so it does not move and just sand it with the paper backed by that stick
 

JJ Roberts

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tedlewis,Polish with block of wood with wet & dry automotive paper rapped around it and never use a buffer. J.J.
 

MICHAEL

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I place a towel on my leg while sitting, sandpaper on the towel. Then with screw chucked in a cordless drill I press the screw head into the sandpaper. The towel keeps my leg clean. My leg gives, conforms to the screw head, and applies even pressure to the screw head. I usually start around 220 grit. Final grit depends on you finish. Hope this helps.:thumbsup:
 

dlilazteca

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I place a towel on my leg while sitting, sandpaper on the towel. Then with screw chucked in a cordless drill I press the screw head into the sandpaper. The towel keeps my leg clean. My leg gives, conforms to the screw head, and applies even pressure to the screw head. I usually start around 220 grit. Final grit depends on you finish. Hope this helps.:thumbsup:
Very, interesting thank you all for sharing.

Saludos,
Carlos
 

Donny

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I place a towel on my leg while sitting, sandpaper on the towel. Then with screw chucked in a cordless drill I press the screw head into the sandpaper. The towel keeps my leg clean. My leg gives, conforms to the screw head, and applies even pressure to the screw head. I usually start around 220 grit. Final grit depends on you finish. Hope this helps.:thumbsup:

So I read this... and all I can imagine is the screw tearing in to my thigh and getting lodged in my femur!!!
That would be my luck!!! :shock: I will wait for Carlos to make a video!!! If he walks away from it then I'll give it a go :)


Donny
 

mitch

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depends on what the screw is for and how it will be finished. the spinning drill trick makes for wonderful sparkling reflections which can look pretty cool on a more modern piece, but out of place on traditional items.

on a north/south timed screwhead, the polish grain usually should be parallel to the slot.

if it will be nitre salt or flame blued, it should be polished to a perfect mirror finish with virtually no discernible polish marks.

in any event, one should always use a firm (but not necessarily hard) backing to maintain crisp edges on the rim & slot.
 

JJ Roberts

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I could put any size screw in my jewelers lathe and polish them,also can weld any bugger screw slot and re-cut the slot with a jewelers saw and files in different with. J.J.
 

dlilazteca

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I place a towel on my leg while sitting, sandpaper on the towel. Then with screw chucked in a cordless drill I press the screw head into the sandpaper. The towel keeps my leg clean. My leg gives, conforms to the screw head, and applies even pressure to the screw head. I usually start around 220 grit. Final grit depends on you finish. Hope this helps.:thumbsup:
Michael

How do you keep from marring the threads? Tape? I would think, dont think you need much pressure.

Donny,

Don't have any need for it just now, but will when I start practicing my nickle plating. Give it a go amigo. Im about a month out, much reading to do on that subject. Just love learning new things. Means I can buy new toys.;)

Saludos,
Carlos
 

Haraga.com

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I'm going to answer the original posters question. You learn to polish them through trial and error. That is how most of us learned. Throw a little common sense in and I think you will learn pretty quickly.
 

MICHAEL

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Carlos, just chuck it up with light pressure. They are made of steel. Haraga is right also. One needs to find the best way for them by doing after gathering a little knowledge. A couple of years ago I didn't know the first thing about guns, prep or polishing. Through a lot of research and trial and error I'm getting to where I want to be with my prep. Good luck.:thumbsup:
 

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