kbiz Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 So I bought an ultimate Fiddy from the Cartel for a vintage project I'm working on... while taking a break, I decided to lap the main bridge plate to see if there's any hope of significantly improving the look of the decorated A6497. I think there is... I don't know if anyone already tried this trick, but I think it's going to go very well. Reworking the beveling along all the edges and inside jewel's cylinders and mounting holes and I plan on a light surface plating of black chrome in the cast engravings which done lightly will show up only gray... then after lapping away any over chroming, I'll spin the plates on the lathe and give them the proper star-burst brushed pattern... followed by a surface plating of nickle. I think it's going to look a million times better... Here are some pics after lapping down to 1200 grit sandpaper... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drulee Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Look forward to seeing the results. I've been polishing up some really bad CotesDeGeneves bridges (the ones with high ridges and a greyish tone to them),that had broken jewels in them, whenever I had a spare minute or two. I used that AutoSol Metal Polish to do it, and it seems to really make an improvement - ridges lower and more of a shiny silver look instead of dull grey. If it turns out alright, I'll take some before (I have another set of the same type bridges untouched) and after shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 If you sre going to those lengths then you should get the base plate done with pearlage like the gen Let me know if you need it doing, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Great idea Great work mate +1 on seeing the final results Would also like to see Doc's mod on the CDG bridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanya Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Ky will you adopt me please?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 If you sre going to those lengths then you should get the base plate done with pearlage like the gen Let me know if you need it doing, what the heck is pearlage?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 what's the right tooling for real CotesDeGeneves?? Being I have an upright mill it wouldn't be hard for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickdick Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 (edited) Perlage Edited February 5, 2010 by slickdick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drulee Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 what the heck is pearlage?? Shiny pwnage? If you sre going to those lengths then you should get the base plate done with pearlage like the gen Let me know if you need it doing, Is this a service you offer? I have a couple of base plates that I wouldn't mind having "pearled" up Would also like to see Doc's mod on the CDG bridges Well if it ends up looking better than what is usually found on them, I definitely will post some pics. If it doesn't ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 is that really what it's called?? pearlage? what tool do you use?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 That is perlage, it is created with a diamond impregnated silicone stick in an upright motor Once it is done it will need nickle plateing (i can do gold plating at the moment but not nickle as i dont have the chemicals, if people wanted this doing then i would get them in) I do perlage the back of dials when i use skeleton movements with dials like in this one CotesDeGeneves finish is created using a large cutting disk and the job set at a slight angle, i cant do this as i dont have the right set up If any one is interested in a hand made skeleton i have this one (seconds at 6)sat around doing nothing right now offers in the €500 area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 If any one has a gen movement could they try and capture a picture of the pearlage on the base plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanya Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 Just stunning work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 @fxrandy you wouldn't have a picture of this cutting disk would you?? I always thought it looked like a tiny fly cutter had been used... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 Unfortunately not, if i had a picture i would have made one and would be able to make my own CDG finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 ok I'll find one... I make a lot of my own toolings for my metal lathe and upright mill... if I had to guess I'd say it's not a disk but a little fly cutter... I can make that pattern on large plate stock using a fly cutter on my mill with a holder angled very slightly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 nevermind you're right it is a disk: Application of the Cote-de-Geneve is accomplished using a machine fitted with a wooden (or in some cases plastic) lap. The lap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 Cool now i can try and make my own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 notice the curvature of the starburst pattern Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbiz Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Colima Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 I see it!!!!!!!!!!!!! that is a big tool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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