LOW TECH POLISHING TECHNIQUES
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
- Learn how traditional "Low Tech" jewelry polishing and buffing techniques can be easier and more efficient than high tech "Plug In" modern tools. Designer Craftsman Jeweler, Greg Greenwood, explains the tools and techniques that jewelers have been using for hundreds of years and how these techniques can help you with your modern jewelry projects.
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Greg, you are performing a great service and providing a very valuable resource for free to a great many people who couldn’t afford it otherwise. Thank you! I have learned a lot from you and I really appreciate your wisdom and insights.
Hello wigglesworth, I appreciate that! Glad you are learning. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg! As a new hobbyist silversmith, there were some great tips in this video. I love my Dremel and barrel polisher, but they won’t always get the job done. The cotton string polishing trick was an eye opener that I shall borrow with pride. Thanks for your videos.
Hello Mansun, Welcome to the great world of silversmithing. I am glad the cotton string will help you. It really does come in handy. If you have any questions in the future, please feel free to let me know. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
You are a plethora of useful information. You have stepped up my game in months, that would have taken years of trial and error!... Looking forward!
Hi BIO, Very glad I am helping you. I always love passing on information that will help. Have fun. Greg Greenwood
hand polishing looks a like a pain when you see the high tech stuff BUT, it can be so satisfying. You spend a lot of time fabricating and then you get a chance to sit back in with you pinny over your knees and a good tune on the box and off you go, scrubbing and rubbing and admiring your work and bringing it to perfection. The bonus is if you rub over your fingers, it doesn't hurt as much as Dremelling! The leather buff stick is a great idea! As always I learned something!
Hello To forget, Thanks for sharing. Yes, it can be relaxing! Thanks for watching. Glad I can help. Greg Greenwood
You’re my favourite jeweller RUclipsr, I learned so much about tips and techniques on making amazing jewelry, ❤
Hello Elisa, Thank you for your kind comments. I really appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
I use the back of the razor blade, the dull side, to score the sandpaper. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm. We appreciate you.
Hello Richard, Great tip! Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
You're great Greg, I learn a lot and the tips are so nice. I hope you will go on for a long time.Thanks
Hi Again Gerry, I am very happy I can help you. I plan on being around for the long haul!!! Thanks again, Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
I will!! That’s for sure. Thanks for your answer
"Awesome" Greg Greenwood
Great video! Non high tec techniques should more often be shown. Thanks.
Hello Johannes, Glad you liked it! Keep on watching. Thanks Greg Greenwood
This is a rare type of video nowadays. I have always been a "jack of all trades" restorer so have had to avoid buying expensive tools I might only use twice a year. So many vids that demonsrate simple tasks go on to show the use of very expensive tools and gadgets which are fabulous (and I would love to own) for specialist, professional work on a large scale/volume but are uneconomic for small operators. It is so usefull to learn these old techniques where the basic principles are demonstrated.
Hello andrewsmall, I agree with you 100%. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
Great video. Just what I needed as a beginner. Thank you Greg!
Hello Susan, Glad it was helpful! Please check out the other videos on my channel. As a beginner, they will be very helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know. Greg Greenwood.
I really like your videos. You are the only RUclipsr I have found that really explains some very basic things. You do a great job. Thank you
Hello Mark, Glad you like them! I appreciate your kind comments. Keep on watching. If you have any questions in the future, let me know. Greg Greenwood
Loved your tip on using string. What a great tool I now have for finishing my future pieces. As always, thanks for sharing your incredible wealth of knowledge. So appreciate you!
Hello ThePixelChix, The string really comes in handy many times!! Good luck on your jewelry adventure. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg, I just wanted to thank you for these videos. You have a nice way about you!
Hello Nice 2, You are more than welcome. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
enjoyed seeing more traditional options for polishing.
Glad you liked it! Greg Greenwood
Thank you so much for your videos these are all such great tricks!! Thank you for being generous and sharing them with all of us who are trying to learn. Stay well Greg and Thank you so much
Hello Vestacha, You are very welcome. I am excited that you are enjoying my videos. Check out my channel and you will learn more!! I am very happy to help. If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. Thank you. Greg Greenwood
instablaster.
@@greggreenwood4628 Hello again Greg, I would love if you could post a video on how to solder granulation or balls to rounded surfaces such as hoop earring and or ring shanks. I’m having a devil of a time trying to get them to adhere as even if I’ve filed the bottoms of the balls a bit, the surface area must still be too small I’m guessing. I can’t find advice on this in my books or online so any help or advice would be so appreciated and Thank you again!
Hello Vestacha, I would recommend that you "sweat solder" the balls onto the hoops. (See my sweat soldering video on soldering wires to sheat). Put the solder on the balls and melt first, then position them into place, flux and heat evenly. If the balls are touching the hoop, then they will solder onto the hoop. Try laying the hoop down on a charcoal block to solder. You can make small indentations into the charcoal where the balls are to be positioned. This will help them stay in place as you are soldering. I hope this helps you. Let me know how it goes. Greg Greenwood
Thank you for showing how to make emery buff stick, I really learned a lot from your videos ❤
My pleasure 😊 Greg Greenwood
Thank you soooo much for sharing your knowledge!! I learn so much from every video!
Hello user-we, You are more than welcome. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
So many great tips. Thanks for this valuable video.
Hello K. Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Real nice. I use some of those options on my hardwood turned pieces.
Hello Mark, It is fun and interesting to see techniques used in many different ways. Thanks for watching and sharing. Greg Greenwood
Another excellent video, so many neat ideas, many thanks.
Hello Nick, Thank you and you are more than welcome. Greg Greenwood
Lots of interesting ideas. Actually I really like the string idea! All are very helpful. Thanks Greg.
Hello Dawn, Thank you for your great comments. I appreciate all of your comments. Keep watching and ask questions anytime!! Greg Greenwood
I love love love this video! This was what I was needing to know! I much prefer very low tech and have been just messing around trying to learn how to do this on my own. I figured out that the burnishing sticks and leather work beautifully just by trial and error. But I didn't know the rest. I am so excited to try the techniques and tools that you taught about here. I really think this will take my jewelry to the next level. Thank you for making this wonderful video! 👍🙏🤗
Hurray!!!! The stars and moon have come in line! I am so glad I am able to help you. Polishing is only one small part of the overall designs. I don't polish many of my pieces. I just use liver of sulfur and steel wool or a brass brush. This makes me excited for you. It is always fun to discover something new that inspires and sparks our imaginations. Please, if you have any questions or just want to shout out a new discovery, feel free to let me know. I am here to help and maybe offer some suggestions. The best to you. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Yay, lined up stars and moon! I really have been looking for what you teach for years. But because I didn't discover you until now, I turned to learning as much as I could on my own. Like how to not create tool marks, for example. So, now when I try your polishing techniques I will have very little to correct. Just a few tiny marks on the back and making everything extra shiny. Thank you so much for your offer to help with questions! 🤗 You've answered my most burning questions so far. But if I get stuck again I'll definitely come find you! And I see that you have lots more videos to watch, too! Yay!
Hello VirgLibrSagLove, So glad I can help. Check out my " 12 Free Hidden Jewelry Tools and Textures" . I think you will enjoy it. Free texture tools in your "Junk Drawer". Enjoy. Greg Greenwood
Fantastic information! It's nice to have alternatives to finishing jewelry with simple techniques!
Hello Bernadette, I totally agree! The polishing machine is not the only answer! Keep watching! Thanks for your comments. Greg Greenwood
Many thanks for this wonderful video!
Hello Shofoufeh, You are more than welcome. Keep watching! Thank you. Greg Greenwood
Thank you so much Greg!
My pleasure!
Wow, such wonderful tips! Thank you.
Hello Tam, Thank you again. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Love your videos. So informative and great teaching videos.
Hello Donna, Glad you like them! Thank you for your kind comments. Greg Greenwood
I love your videos! You have helped me so much in my metalsmithing journey.
Hello Dawson CC, Awesome! Thank you! I am very happy to have helped you. If you have any questions in the future, please feel free to let me know. Keep Watching! Greg Greenwood
Amazing videos as always, very helpful.
Hello Christian, Thank you, I appreciate your comments. I am glad they are helpful! Greg Greenwood
Excellent, thorough and very clear, great instruction, Thank you very much
Hello Audrey, Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciated it. You are more than welcome. Greg Greenwood
I have these cheap nail buffing cubes that have four degrees of abrasiveness, ending with a smooth polishing surface. I have found these to be really effective to clean, smooth and polish silver to a shine.
Hello Dan, Thanks for sharing! You are correct that they do a great job. I have used those before also. And the nail emery sticks are good too. Thank you for the great tip!! A appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
like the pint glass mate - love the videos
Hello Farming Artists, It is from my daughters work!!! Thanks for watching. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Just great, excellent the explanation I love the way it teaches jewelry
Hello Marco, Thank you for your kind comment. Keep watching. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Fantastic. Thank you!
You're very welcome! Greg Greenwood
Thank you sir,you are great tutor..Best regards from Antalya
Hello Little little, Thank you for your kind comments. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
Love this
Thank you so very much
Hello Jeffs Vintage, You are so welcome. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
Great video for those on a budget
Hello Doug, Thank you. You are correctt, not everyone can afford the equipment. Thanks again for watching. Greg Greenwood
Hi Greg, I really loved this informative video as well as your honest enthusiasm. I’ve taken up lampwork and more recently silversmithing (self taught) in my retirement in order to bring in a little more cash flow. I came from a high tech, high pressure field, and this low tech process is so satisfying. The two keynotes for me were the string polishing and burnishing techniques. I haven’t tried it yet but I think burnishing may be quite a game changer. I’ve just formed a ring design that will benefit great from the string technique. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Hello Norm, Very glad that you are out of the high pressure stress field! Yes, the string polishing technique is extremely helpful. I don't remember how many feet of string I've gone through. Good luck on your new adventure into metalsmithing. Let me know if you have any questions in the future. I am happy to help. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628
Thank you Greg. I put the sting polishing into action and it was brilliant. I’ll try not to abuse your offer of assistance, hopefully your videos will supply the advice that I need.
Hello Norm, Glad to hear the string is working for you! You are more than welcome to ask for assistance anytime. I am happy to help. Greg Greenwood
Very nice video!
Thank You, I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Спасибо за очень полезную информацию
Привет, Кац, надеюсь, я правильно перевожу. Добро пожаловать. Greg Greenwood
Loved that polishing tips😊, l’ll use my shoe lace to do this trick.
Sounds good. Greg Greenwood
Greg I love your channel I am a big fan you have inspired me to start my own channel , I do lost wax casting and silversmithing as well....
Hello midnightsilvercrafters, Thank you for your kind comments. I am glad I have inspired you. Let me know when you get your channel started. Good Luck Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 thanks Greg I will talk about your channel often in my videos. my channel is up now and i just hit 30 subs!
Great video! I am learning more useful techniques from your videos than in silver-jewellery class! 😊 💕 One low tech polishing tool I have discovered for myself is a nail buffer block: intended for finger nails, it has a foam core and four surfaces with progressively smoother buffers. It worked wonders on the prongs of a gold setting, smoothing them down without damaging the stone and polishing them to a high lustre. Result. 👍👌👊😀
Hello Sekhmet, I am very glad that you discovered the nail buffer. It is great that you are looking for alternatives for tools etc. Just for fu, you can check out my video " 12 Free Hidden Jewelry Tools and Textures" . I think you will enjoy it. Thank you for your kind comments, I really appreciate it. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
love this
Hello Candace, Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Greatv videos !!!!
Hello AD, Thank you, I am glad you like my videos. Keep watching. Greg Greenwood
Great content rhanks
My pleasure! Thanks again. Greg Greenwood
Emery cord, GROOVY!
Hello Flying Chef, Yes it is!!! I will be working on your last last question on firescale. I'll forward to you when I am done. Thanks for watching. Greg Greenwood
Discovery of Emery Cord & Jewelry Polishing & Buffing Hacks ❤
Experience gives opportunities to discover many uses of such simple things like cotton string and sticks that make work easier.
Low tech but effective and reduces global warming.
Hello Java Pua, Happy you enjoyed and learned. Greg Greenwood
This is just the video I needed! My 1st 3 pieces are sitting on my bench waiting to have the edges finished so they can become pendants!
Hello Grey, Awesome! I am glad I could help you. Congratulations on your first pieces. If you have any questions in the future, please feel free to let me know. I am happy to help. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 thank you so much!
You are very welcome. Greg Greenwood
Hi, thank you for all the knowledge you provide. Would you please show us how to get rid of the white surface after the last turn in the pickle if I don't want to polish it afterwards?
Thank you once again. 🎉
Hello Pia, The white surface on the metal after pickling is fine silver. The pickle removes all oxides and leaves pure or fine silver. Unfortunately, you have to buff it or tumble it off. Thank you for watching. Greg Greenwood
Do you have a resource guide list that would show where to purchase such things as buffs, emery rope and many of the other special technique supplies. Enjoyed your video....very educational.
Hello R Roe, I don't have a guide at this time but, now that you have brought it up, I have been thinking about putting one out. Thanks for the push, I'll work on it. In the meantime, check out Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. They are are great resource for jewelry tools and metal.
Thanks again. Greg Greenwood
I found this video to be very interesting and resourceful. Thanks for posting it. What coaching would you give for polishing large perfectly flat areas - such as the sides of a small silver pill box, or the flat face of a locket? I find it difficult to use abrasives on wheels without putting divots or shallow or uneven spots in a flat surface.
Hello Allan, Glad you liked the video. When using the polishing wheel, make sure that you keep moving back and forth. Turn and polish at different angles constantly. If you polish in one direction, you will get the divots and if you polish in just 2 directions, you will get "fish tails". Also, make sure your buffs are soft. Harder buffs will make divots very quickly. I hope this helps you. Take care. Greg Greenwood
Yes, often the simplest way is the best. I'm not a jeweler, but often do similar things, so let me add a few little extras.
I, too, often used the paint stirrer sticks. Then one day in Home Depot I saw one quart sticks. They are 1 in by 7 in. I find that with smaller items it's easier to move them back and forth quicker. As I remember 30 for $10.
Have you tried wood dowels? I've found that with a push and twisting motion they often work well. And, of course, its easy to unroll as you wear out the emery cloth.
I never thought of string, but I have used 1/4 in cotton rope. It's old clothesline rope. Unfortunately now clothesline is all poly something. I think sewing stores have cotton rope for trim or decoration.
I see you have the small 3M Scotch-Brite pads (Home Depot?). They also make industrial sized pads 7 x 10, larger and in vastly more grits. Available at Amazon, and information on 3M's website. Your video suggested to me that I could cut them into thin strips to make string/rope.
Keep up the fun, experiment, and please, keep sharing.
Hello jrl2996, Yes, I use dowels often. I have one in the video too. They are the greatest for rings etc. Good observation about the Scotch Brite pads. I buy the sizes that are on sale!!! Glad to hear your comments and suggestions. Low Tech tools are definitely a cross over to other fields. Fun--Always! Keep watching. Thanks Greg Greenwood
Hello Master, really interesting and useful. I didn’t understand how I can do the buff stick with the leather?? and what kind of leather I can use? Thanks 🙏🏽
Hello Danilo, Thank you for your question. First, take a flat wooden stick about 1inch by 12 inches by 1/8 or 1/4 inch thick. Cow hide or pig hide will work. Cut a strip to fit the stick and glue the leather with the rough side out. Rub polishing compound on the leather and you can use the stick as a polishing tool. Hope this answers your question. Greg Greenwood
I love your videos! I'm new to metal smithing and I find your videos very informative and educational, you're a great teacher. I have looked everywhere for a burnisher and no luck. Do you have any advice on where to get one? I live in Calgary, Alberta,Canada. Thank you! ✨
Thank you Dominique for your comments. I appreciate it. 2 places for burnishers. Lacy West Supplies in Vancouver BC and Rio Grande Jewelry Supply in Albuquerque, NM USA. Rio Grande has a larger selection for you and the prices are good. I don't know if the shipping would raise the price too much, but you can check it out. Good luck and let me know how it is going. Thanks again, Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 wow thanks so much, I learned of a new supply store from you! Thank you for your response and take care!
You are more than welcome. Ask any question - anytime. Greg Greenwood
I have 6 inch x 6 inch 3 mm thick silver. The assay marks in the centre are raised Soho’s would you decrease these bumps
Hello Robert, As I said earlier, I would planish the marks down and then polish. Let me know how that works. Greg Greenwood
Sewing needles make good small burnishers.
Hello Steve, Good tip. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate it. Greg Greenwood
Emery cord ? Wow ! Never saw that before. It should also work nice with a jeweler's saw to add some more control !
Where do you get this ?
For making a buff stick I prefer using a folding leg as it still scores nicely, but won't cut through the emery paper/cloth.
I also use burnishers a lot. Especially when I'm mobile and can't have my bench polishing motor or flex shaft. I use not only the steel burnishers, some of which I make myself, because you don't get all the shapes you need, but also the ones that are based on semi-precious stones like agate - those are very hard and provide an excellent material for burnishers. plus, they don't rust.
Hello Torsten, You can get the emery cords and tapes from: E.C. Mitchell Abrasives. Goggle the name and the website comes up. Also, It is on Amazon, but it looks like it might be more expensive. I like the idea of using the jeweler's saw with the cord. I'll try it. Glad to hear you are using and making your own burnishers. They are great. Have a good one. Stay safe. Greg Greenwood
Hi Reid, I like the idea of the jeweler's saw with the emery cord too. E.C . Mitchell Abrasives sells the cord. It is on Amazon too. Thanks again for watching and commenting. Greg Greenwood
What is black rouge used for
Hello John, Black rouge is a buffing compound that is more abrasive than red rouge. I don't typically use black rouge, I mainly use red rouge. I hope this helps you. Greg Greenwood
I have completed my first ever sterling silver cuff! But my steel wool has left the finish scratched, or rather a brushed look. It's an anticlastic design, so I'll have to polish it by hand... any suggestions? I could just oxidize it and buff it out but is there a better way? Thanks ahead!!
Hello Jeni, Congrats on your first cuff. You could use your flex shaft and polish small areas at a time. I would lean toward putting more steel wool brushed finish on it, oxidize, then steel wool again. It will leave a nice finish that will not require a lot of maintenance. Let me know how it goes. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 thank you! Your second suggestion is what I'd like to do since I prefer an oxidized finish anyway. I will do that and let you know how it went! Thanks again, I really appreciate the support!
Hello Jeni, Looking forward to hearing about the cuff. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 it turned out great and sold in 2 days! Thank you for your wonderful videos and thoughtful replies!!
I do have a quick question if you don't mind. Is it important to have a separate set of polishing tools for each kind of metal? For example, a set for polishing gold and a set for polishing silver?
Hello, Thanks for the good question. I feel it is important to have separate buffs for the different compounds and for the different kinds of metals. If you will be polishing anything that is a ferrous metal (metal that has iron in it {steel}, never polish a non-ferrous metal ( silver, gold, copper) with the same buff. The particles of iron that remain in the buff will ruin the finish on the silver etc. You can get by using the same buffs with gold and silver, BUT, the buffs are very cheap and if you are going to be using gold, keep a gold set of buffs. I hope this has helped you. Good Luck and ask anytime. Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 Thank you very much! I don't use any non-ferrous metals anymore. I work with sterling silver and 14k gold. I do use gold fill, too. I will be polishing all three, though only very lightly on the gold fill. I've never used polishing compound or proper buffs, so right now I have a variety in my online shopping cart. I will get enough buffs to keep everything separate. (Technically there is ferrous metal under the gold in gold fill. The inside of the wire will only touch the buff at the ends of the wire, but I'm thinking I should keep those buffs separate, too, so there's no chance of ruining my solid gold later.) I appreciate the good advice. Thank you!
Hello, I am very sorry for the late response. Somehow your reply missed. I would still keep all of the buffs and compounds separate. It sounds like you are doing a great job. Keep it up. Thanks Greg Greenwood
@@greggreenwood4628 No worries! Sometimes things do get lost in technology.
So far I've been using the 3M polishing disks instead of mops with polishing compound so I don't have to deal with the mess. The 3M disks work great! I use just the last two disks if I only have minute scratches and am just going for shine. Or a few steps down the list of courseness if I have tool marks to remove. So far they have worked amazingly! If I take my time to go through the different steps I end up with a smooth finish and a very high shine! Though a quick wash at the end would still be best. You could probably do a nice video on them if you wanted.
People haven't been buying gold lately, so I've mostly been polishing silver so far. (So, your message isn't actually late at all.) But I'll use fresh disks and keep them separate when I do polish gold again.
Thank you again for the nice reply! 🤗
Hi VirgLibrSagLove, I am very happy the disks are working for you. I have used more of them in the last couple years and have been satisfied with the results. Best wishes to you. Greg Greenwood
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Hello Mahin, Thank you very much. Greg Greenwood