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Radial Brushing Attempt Without A Lapping Machine

thor447

By thor447
in Polishing & Refinishing

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thor447 WRT Addict

thor447

Posted
Posted

I’ve got a case that I’d like to do some radial brushing on.   A lapping machine is far out of my budget, so I tried to improvise this evening. 

I secured the case between a nylon washer and one of my plastic crystal dies.  I chucked it into a drill, and then used that to align it at the proper angle against a brushing wheel.   

It’s clearly not perfect, but I think the concept is sound.   I’ll probably need something different other than a thick brushing wheel to get the desired effect, so I’ll play around with it a bit more. I am encouraged that this may be a workaround to a very expensive tool.  

Obviously a lapping machine can do many other things, but I’m just trying to accomplish this radial brushing for now.  

About two weeks ago I came up with a very crude way of holding a case back centered and allowing it to spin, so I can apply radial brushing to that part. It seemed to work pretty well.

The first two pictures are before my brushing attempt on the case. 

IMG_3675.thumb.jpeg.a350fe0629a376d4ceebc312914c3836.jpegIMG_3676.thumb.jpeg.735dc18901699cde6418535fe5d53118.jpegIMG_3678.thumb.jpeg.964828508cf8ddfdb28599ad3eeb1b39.jpeg

  • Like 8
thor447 WRT Addict

thor447

Posted
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Posted
17 hours ago, mikepilk said:

What kind of wheel did you use for the brushing?

As it turns out, not a correct wheel to accomplish what I was wanting, but it worked moderately.  It was a Bergeon 6085-E2 wheel.  I aligned the case to the corner edge of that wheel in an attempt to minimize the amount of contact (width wise) with the case at any given time. 

Just messing around with an idea, but it got me thinking immediately about ways to improve it.

  • 1 month later...
thor447 WRT Addict

thor447

Posted
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Posted

Well I happen to score a Horotec polishing vice for a song on eBay.  I was able to call up a friend with a lathe and got an adapter machined so I could mount it to my motor arbor. Horotec sells a reduction die, but the size wasn't compatible with the arbor on my motor. I got this little part made, then drilled and tapped a few set screw holes for the arbor side. I can't wait to destroy a few junk case backs & bezels while I learn how to use it properly!

IMG_3906.thumb.jpg.ab43fe79a670cbacf203bc7cf1d7278a.jpg

 

 

  • Like 2
Waggy Distinguished Member

Waggy

Posted
Posted

I use this setup:

image.thumb.png.379b76555118ffbe9669c802dc5b8557.png

This is approx. $35 US, £28.25

image.thumb.png.12e76a00562143cbf294278ec35dd550.png

Already had the drill, and get number 1 son to hold the drill steady.

The chuck is also useful for holding the case and case back for buffing.

  • Like 4
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Waggy said:

I use this setup:

image.thumb.png.379b76555118ffbe9669c802dc5b8557.png

This is approx. $35 US, £28.25

What is the distance across the end of the jaws when closed?  I assume you can put them inside the case backs?

Waggy Distinguished Member

Waggy

Posted
Posted (edited)

Here are some pictures, let me know if you need any more 🙂

signal-2023-11-17-205118.thumb.jpeg.d33ff755f7ea5bf1d3ba6c91a0657afb.jpeg

Here it is with a mens watch case back

signal-2023-11-17-205205.thumb.jpeg.3e34e7af41ba414934fe1fd2ae240425.jpegsignal-2023-11-17-210315.thumb.jpeg.0a0443c3580a01e3d7f52dc258727fe4.jpeg

It grips very well:

signal-2023-11-17-210256.thumb.jpeg.e890f1f4fa5b0e6e91ce0060c7508740.jpeg

 

Edited by Waggy
  • Like 2
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted

That's great @Waggy. Small enough for most watch backs.

It's exactly what I've been looking for, and they are on ebay UK for just £18 (just ordered)

I just had my latest watch delivered today, a Smiths Everest 19J, and the back happens to have radial brushing.

 

  • Like 1
Waggy Distinguished Member

Waggy

Posted
Posted

Perfect timing, I also use it on my buffing machine on the felt wheel to keep the angle correct - at least correct by eye:

My buffing station inside an Ikea storage box to protect the wall:

signal-2023-11-17-211722.thumb.jpeg.9f9c0c533c36cb815573de7e169db108.jpeg

And my chuck and felt wheel:

signal-2023-11-17-212027.thumb.jpeg.444bff247b2edb5c5ae0df8dd0dac211.jpeg

  • Like 2
mikepilk Distinguished Member

mikepilk

Posted
Posted

I usually use 400 grit wet and dry (used dry). 

For straight grain, this is my cheapo set up. It works really well. I stick the case back to the bracket with some Rodico. Running along the wood means I can run it up and down and keep the grain straight. 
If the case back is not absolutely flat, I put a very thin layer of something spongy under the paper (I use some thin packing foam).

For circular grain, I use 400 grit on a stick, and pull it from the centre out.

I don't have space for a bench polisher so have to use a Dremel type tool. With practice I can get a good finish.

20231117_173527.thumb.jpg.c602b85e30184995799526798358e17e.jpg

  • Like 5
Waggy Distinguished Member

Waggy

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, mikepilk said:

For straight grain, this is my cheapo set up. It works really well. I stick the case back to the bracket with some Rodico. Running along the wood means I can run it up and down and keep the grain straight. 

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best - consider this copied 🙂

 

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