Re: Daguerreotype Photographs the Old Fashioned Way: An Instructable

Here are some polishing tips I had received from a master sculptor in
Cleveland, Ohio. He along with other local sculptors have spent a life
time polishing metal. They have tried numerous compounds, buffing wheels,
and methods..... He gave me the 50 cent lesson and here are his best tips..

Buffing Machine. The buffing machine ( he used a Baldor) should be no more
than 3/4 horse power 1750 RPM ( not the common 3450 RPM) .... Faster
machines are not better and will mar the work more easily..... The reason
for this small 3/4 hp lower RPM is that buffers have a tendency to grab
the work from your hands and smash it against the wall......You actually
want the buffer to stall before that happens..

     I do not know the finish sequence of the plates you use. Is there and
sanding prior to the final polish? He would take stainless steel up to a
3000 grit finish prior to the final buffing. I am just going to give you
the final polish compound that this sculptor uses . He just raved about
it far as speed and final finish.. It evidently eliminated a polish step
or two for him.... This sculptor works in stainless steel and bronze. It
appeared to me to give a mirror finish but I did not look at it with a
magnifier...It may not be sufficient for daguerreotype standards but my
guess is that it would be..
White Lightning Rouge CE170
Formax MFG.
 Wealthy Street,
Grand rapids Michigan
1-800-242-2833

Buffs
This buff is so supperior to anything else he has ever tried that searching
for anthing better would just be a senseless waste of time.
Falcon Tool
7500 Hub Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio.
216-328-0300
70 ply Fine Muslin Buff
MBF-10
08R-MBF 1010 $14.85

John Cremati
Received on 08/23/06-01:59:48 AM Z