North Seattle Community College Watch Technology Institute February 2005 Course on Surface Finishing

Purpose of Surface Finishing  Preservation  Identification  Adding value  Aesthetical enhancement  Tradition

Identify the Techniques Used  Sunburst finish  Angling (Beveling)  “Cote de Geneve”  Flat polishing  Graining  Finishing sides  Chamfering holes  Machine engraving

 Matt finishing  Angling (Beveling)  Flat polishing  Graining/line finish  Finishing sides  Chamfering holes  Engraving Identify the Techniques Used

 Circular finish  Angling (Beveling)  Sand blasting  Flat polishing  Bluing  Graining  Finishing sides  Chamfering holes  Hand engraving

Identify the Techniques Used  “Perlage”  Angling (Beveling)  Flat polishing  Chamfering holes  Finishing sides

Other examples

Flat Surface Finishing  Create a “Line” finish  Steel or brass  Select stone by material and finish  Use shellac stone for high quality steel parts  Do not use emery paper

Sides of Bridges and Levers  Hold work piece securely  Use fine file to create flat surface  Use emery sticks, old file with 3M paper (30 microns) or “Degussit” stones  For matt finish use carborundum powder and brass or steel slip

Pressure Polish (“Burnishing”)  Applied to round/ cylindrical steel parts (pivots)  Use fine file to bring close to diameter  Use steel burnisher with oil to polish

“Black” Polishing  Applied to round/ cylindrical and flat steel parts  Multiple step process  Grind with carborundum powder and brass slip (or 3M paper on old file/glass plate)  Polish with diamantine on zinc slip or disk

Flat Polishing  Apply on flat steel parts  Multiple step process  Grind with carborundum powder and brass slip (or 3M paper on glass plate)  Polish with diamantine on zinc slip or disk  Use screw head polisher or do free-hand on cork

Angling (“Beveling”)  Steel:  File corner with fine file or use “Degussit”  Smoothen with emery sticks  Burnish with steel burnisher or  Use 3M paper on old file to achieve smooth finish  Then use Diamantine on zinc slip to polish  Finish with pith wood

Angling (“Beveling”)  Brass:  File corner with fine file  Smoothen with emery sticks  Burnish with steel burnisher  Use Simichrome to polish

Chamfer Holes  Countersink hole with disk cutter  Brass:  Use Simichrome on peg wood to polish  Steel:  Use carborundum powder with oil to pre- polish  Polish with Diamantine

Matt Finish (Steel)  Use carborundum powder and oil on frosted glass plate  Use different grit to achieve finer or coarser finish

Bluing Steel  Surface to be blued needs to be perfectly finished  Clean part thoroughly without residue  Use alcohol lamp with bluing tray (brass shavings) or bluing holder  Controlled heat chamber allows for better color control

“Perlage”  Used on brass bridges and plates  Can be applied with drill press or lathe  Cross-slide or milling attachment allow for properly spaced application  Abrasive material (emery paper, 3M paper, etc) on wooden or brass support

“Sunburst” Finish  Advanced technique  Requires machine set- up for best results (special fixtures and lapping disks with abrasive material)

“Cote de Geneve”  Advanced technique  Requires machine set-up  Cross-slide on drill press or milling attachment on lathe  Parts to be decorated need to be aligned  Lapping disks (wood or brass) with abrasive material

“Cote de Geneve”

Sand Blasting  Requires Sand Blasting equipment  Jewels need to be removed or covered up  Bevels and engravings need to covered up or applied after sand blasting