Graver Polishing

[Jim P]

Maybe some can help me out finding a product that works for polising gravers on a cast iron lap instead of the diamond spray that i have been getting from GRS. Someplace i remember seeing that some motor cycle product contained the same grade diamond dust.
What i am trying to do is find something that would be available locally to avoid the high cost of shipping stuff to Fairbanks.
I had a jug of mothers mag polish so i gave that a try and soon found out that it certianly isnt the stuff i had read about!
Anyway if anyone knows of a common product that works well i would appreciate the name.
Thanks, Jim

[Steve Lindsay]

Hi Jim, Here is a cast iron lap and two forms of diamond. I don't know what the cost of shipping to Alaska would be though. I guess try clicking one of the "add to cart" buttons and in the check out area type in your zip code and it should figure the shipping.
Currently I use a ceramic bench stone with the diamond spray on it.


Ceramic Bench Stone (8"x2"x1/2") $59
T


1/2" thick " Cast Iron Lap $59







50,000 Grit Diamond Concentrate $69

4 ounce concentrate, Makes 32 ounces (1 quart) diamond spray. Mix this concentrate with isopropyl alcohol.
Concentrate Approximate mix ratio:
7 parts Isopropyl Alcohol
to
1 part Diamond Concentrate

Mixing bottle and push button spray applicator included.

Graver polishing Apply diamond compound to the back side of a 1/16" thick steel diamond lap (sold above) and use it for polishing graver facets. When a metal or cast iron lap is used, some of the diamond will embed itself into the steel preventing it from wiping off. This is called “charging” a lap. A copper lap works for this too. Ceramic can also be used, however the diamond will not imbed it self. More information about polishing gravers can be found on the EngravingSchool.com site: Link 1 Link 2

Note, graver polishing is nessary when you would like bright cutting.
1/2 Micron, 60,000 mesh, 5-gram syringe
$25





_______________

[Jim P]

Thanks

[Toolroom boffin]

I believe the stuff you were thinking of was "Simichrome"
Here's their page
http://www.simichrome-polish.com/

Cheers
Dave

[Cookie]

Dave,
I was stationed At Nellis AFB Nevada. Late 68". The USAF demonstration Team, Thunderbirds,was flying the F-100 Super Saber. The aircraft was aluminum finish with red and white painted detailing. They used a pink polishing compound to keep the finish bright. They had a dual head powered buffer to do the job. I'm sure they were using Simichrome for the polishing. The replacement plane for the F-100's was the F-4 Phantom. The color profile was different. No raw metal ,mostly white with red & blue detailing.
Well this has nothing to do with engraving , only the pink stuff. Isn't it funny how things will stick in your head? Cookie

[Toolroom boffin]

It is amazing what info gets filed away over time. Unfortunatly sometimes i think someone has knocked over the filing cabinet!
cheers
Dave

[Cookie]

Dave,
I take it that you are a toolmaker ? Cookie

[Toolroom boffin]

Cookie,
I am afraid so, I have been known to torture the odd piece of metal.
Always on the lookout for those old tricks that people have stashed away somewhere!
Dave