Abrasive tape/paper recommendations please

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

I have a number of small brass castings to clean up and finish to a decent polish. Can anyone recommend good cloth backed tape? I imagine I’ll probably use 240/400/600 grits after I’ve got the rough off. I’m after flexible backing, good quality, long life, not cheapest. I want to get the time down, it’s pretty tedious work.

 

Thanks

Richard

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

If you want a really good finish look for MICRO-MESH.  Available in assorted sets from 1500 to 12,000 grit.  Use with water and wash after use and they will last for years.

Russell

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

Thanks Russell, it’s really the earlier stages I’m talking about. These things (musical instrument keys) will be polished on a wheel followed by silver plating, then final polish.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Would 3M deburing wheels be any good, available in various Dias, widths and grades. I use them for deburring stainless after machining and then to polishing.

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

Thanks for the idea Bernard but won’t work in this situation. Needs greater precision to maintain unrounded edges etc.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Hi Richard, I used to produce descriptive plaques in cast brass. The polishing process started with a 6″ wide linisher, with I think a 180 grit belt,then 3M unitised discs a woven material and then 3 stages of buffing wheel. If anything is going to round the edges it’s the buffing, this needs to be done VERY carefully. The border of a plaque needed a good sharp and well defined edge.

If using electric power tools be warned of the hazard of fine brass dust building up inside motors and becoming conductive leading to short circuit and failure. Depending on how much work you have this issue can apply to other electrical equipment near by or even in the same room. Noel.

[JuddyParticipant @juddy]

This type of thing, I found it works well with a sort of sawing action over rough castings:

Shop 314D Abrasive Utility Cloth Rolls | Zoro UK Business Supplies

 

 

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

the rounded edges are achieved by an over zealous operator just be a bit more careful, Ihave to admit not having rounded edges and it does make a difference what angles and directions you use on the parts.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I use “Flex” polishing disks for brass (available up to 1000 grit). Then finish with brass polish and a soft cotton buffing wheel held on an arbor on the lathe. Bench grinder speed too fast for polishing small parts.

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