[Jewelry making - Article 00465] - Re: [Orchid] Technical stainless steel shot impingement on sterling

[Judy Hoch]

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    This is a trick that I use to correct the problem of orange peel or
    impingement on annealed sterling. This process work hardens the
    sterling, with the steel, then uses the abrasive to smooth the
    surface, then burnishes the pieces.  It works very well, but it is a
    bit of a nuisance. 

    First run the castings or chains or whatever in a rotary tumbler with
    your steel shot with appropriate liquid for about an hour or two. 

    Next, run the items for 6 to 8 hours in a medium abrasive such as
    Rio's clean cut aqua cones.  I do this is a TV-25 with flow thru
    rinse. 

    Then run in the steel shot again for about 2 hours- I prefer the
    rotary tumbler as before. 

    If the work is sort of flat or with planishing marks, I finish the
    pieces in a dry medium of green buff with 25% wood pegs in a
    vibratory tumbler for 24 to 36 hours.  This effectively buffs the
    sterling - resulting in a beautiful bright finish. 

    There is another way to polish that you might try too.  First run in
    your abrasive media, then in the dry media, skipping the steel
    altogether.  That works especially well on gold anticlastic work,
    probably because it is already work hardened from the forming
    process. 

    You are correct to remove any pins from the steel shot mix.  Pins are
    only used in finishing deep detail.  I almost never add pins to my
    shot. 

Judy  Hoch, G.G.
judy AT marstal.com
www.marstal.com

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