Buffing/Polishing Questions???!!! Aspiring Metalsmith

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I NEED info on START to FINISH BUFFING/POLISHING my pieces of jewelry (For Gold Filled and Sterling Silver).....I am an aspiring metal smith, I am going to start making forged/hammered cuffs and bangles to start and move to rings and stone setting.

First, I want to know what my next step is after forging/hammering??? Do i have to prep my piece of jewelry (sterling silver or gold filled) with sandpaper ALL OVER or JUST THE ENDS that are sharp??? Or can i just go straight to a flex shaft/polishing wheel with TRIPOLI and then RED ROUGE to get my final polish after forging/hammering??? Do I need to do anything special to keep my texture marks from disappearing when buffing/polishing???

Or would a tumbler be an easier route to take to just get a good shine??? I have heard where a tumbler only shines up the metal, but will also just make scratches stand out and be shiny. It doesn't really buff anything out right???


I definately want to use the TRIPOLI and RED ROUGE type compounds to get a high shine....and want to avoid just using rubber polishing wheels and have to go through each grit/level of of sandpaper. That seems so so so time consuming, especially having to do that to each piece. But if I have to do that then I guess i will. I just need the best info start to finish.

I've read forums and forums and have no classes near to go to real schooling so i need to find my info from online. Thanks for your input and any information is welcome!!!

Amy

[Former_Member]

Hi Amy,

You will see that I do a lot of forged work myself. A couple big hints, it sounds like much of what you want to make will be cold work (no soldering). In those cases you polish your stock (wire usually) before you forge. Your hammers need to be highly polished, a mirror finish actually. If you do that you should not have to polish your piece at all. I usually just finish my cold forged work with a Sunshine Cloth.

Of course soldered work is different and I can't teach a beginner class in an email. There are workshops around the country that hold week long classes, I would suggest you investigate those. Internet, videos, emails etc fail in comparison to in person, hands on instruction. Touchstone Center for Crafts in PA is where I learned much of what I know and practice. Also local craftspeople might teach in their own studios, I offer individual instruction via that method, perhaps you can find a local Metalsmith that does the same.

Good luck,

T. J.

[Former_Member]

Hey not sure if it would suit jewerly but I use a primer gloss spray for my metal and copper work.


Got some here https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/MiniSoldiers

[WanderingRockDesigns]

I'm in the same boat as Amy. Just starting out and learning via youtube is not as good as hands on or at least talking to an expert. I've been using my dremel and tumbler to polish my rings and wire work, but wanted to expand my bench equipment so I bought a buffing wheel.

My question is where's a good place to by polishing compound for metal and minerals as well as polishing wheels. I buy a lot from Rio Grande, but most of my equipment I get off ebay since that's usually way cheaper. I saw Rio had a sampler of different compounds, but they're really small.

I contacted a local Guild, but they don't start up until spring and I'd like to try out a few things before taking classes, so if anyone can recommend a supplier it would be greatly appreciated.