Using a Magnetic Polisher
A magnetic polisher speeds up the polishing process considerably. However, there are still a number of steps required to polish a piece and to maintain the machine. Since I do a lot of casting, I invested in Raytech’s * CMF-400 model and have been very happy with the results. These instructions are geared toward the smaller sized machine. For the larger machines, more items can be polished using less time.
1. First, use a fine jeweler’s file to remove scratches, excess solder, and other blemishes from the metal. Try to remove as many blemishes as possible with the file. This is especially important because the machine is not designed to remove scratches.
2. Make sure pieces are clean. For example, cast pieces should be free of all investment. (Ammonia and an old, soft tooth brush work well for cleaning investment off charms.)
3. The steel shot should be kept in the plastic tumbler along with water in order that the shot does not rust. When it is time to polish, replace old water with clean water and fill up to the maximum line as marked on the outside of the tumbler.
4. Next, burnishing soap is dropped into the water. The amount of soap needed depends on the size of the machine. For the smaller machine, approximately 8 drops are recommended.
8. When the 40 minutes are up, the machine will stop. Remove the tumbler from the base. Turn off the machine, and unplug it.
Note:
It is important to remember not to leave the tumbler on the base when the machine is not in use, or the shot will eventually become demagnetized. Also, unplugging the machine is an extra precaution in case the lid is accidentally lifted from the tumbler while the machine is on. If this were to happen, all that tiny, steel shot would go flying!
9. Poor out the water, which is very warm now, being careful not to pour out the shot. Remove the pieces from the tumbler, and dry them using a soft, clean cloth or paper towel.
10. After each polishing, it is recommended that the tumbler and shot be cleaned. First, empty the water from the tumbler. The metal shot should fall to the bottom if you only slightly tip the tumbler and not turn it completely up side down.
11. Now, the tumbler should be rinsed out with clean water a number of times until the water looks clear. Swish the shot around with your fingers each time you rinse also.
12. Once it’s been rinsed well, fill the tumbler with water up to the minimum water level.
13. Pour ammonia (a good name brand – not the cheap stuff) into the tumbler until the water level rises to the maximum line.
14. Place the tumbler on the base, plug in the machine, set the timer for five minutes, and turn it on.
15. After the timer goes off, again rinse the shot thoroughly. The water will probably be very black after the first few rinses.
16. If the shot still seems dirty after much rinsing, repeat this procedure again (steps 12 to 15).
Polishing, for many jewelry makers, can be a tedious chore. The actual making of the piece is much more fun. However, proper filing and polishing is a vital step in the completion of your metal designs. As you can see from all the smudge on our machine, we’ve used ours a lot. They are expensive, but I feel the amount that we’ve used it made it a worthwhile expense for us. You can find a number of vendors that sell similar polishers under the Tools/Equipment Supplies section of this site.
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