Jump to content
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  • Current Donation Goals

More detailed technique info for shaping small metal parts...


projectologist

Recommended Posts

Also a little warning... when I said the following in my CG mod post...

"I've found it easy to replicate this by taking a small diameter wood dowel and wrap a small piece of polishing cloth (I used a Tiger cloth) and running it along just the edge at a 45° angle to the CG body. This is after I've knocked down the edge sharpness a litte doing the same with 1200 grit wet/dry."

I forgot to clarify in my last sentence that the same didn't mean using a dowel or any round object like a screwdriver with sandpaper to take down the edge a little prior to polishing.

You need a more stable platform to do this task. I suggest cutting strips of the appropriate grit and securing them to a craft stick with double-sided carpet tape as pictured below.

Bending wet/dry around a small dowel or similar can risk putting micro kinks in the paper as well as offer a very small surface area of contact. If you use the slightest bit of too much pressure, the sharp edge of the CG body can potentially start cutting through the sandpaper (the carpet tape offers a small amount of give). The goal is to stroke the edge (I know, don't go there) as evenly as possible and in one direction only, never back and forth (I said don't go there).

Buy a box of craft sticks and you'll have a lifetime supply of a very handy tool. I make up a variety micro files with these on a regular basis. I lay out strips of 2" carpet tape and then lay down different size strips/different grits. After that I cut them out and stick them to the sticks.

Not just for impromptu files... you can carve them down to tweezer-shaped points and use them with Rodico to place screws and tabs when installing movements (or picking them out of the movement). Lots of other uses as they will never scratch metal surfaces.

stick01.jpg

stick03.jpg

stick02.jpg

Same concept as originally suggested to me by w0lf using a paint stirring stick for a broader file surface... in the case below, 320 grit/carpet tape for a perfect Pre-V CG brushed finish. I learned the hard way that you'll never get the crisp desired result applying a brushed finish holding the sandpaper with only your fingers.

brushed01.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In or Sign Up