Mold polishing method/tools

[Wiseco]

Hi,

Just to start a debate on this :

How do you polish your molds to get a mirror finish?

Do you made it by hand?
Do you use a tool like a luster from NSK?

At our shop, we made it by hand with sanding paper from 320 grit to 2000 grit and to finish with a polishing paste called Polisol. We are thinking to buy a luster but don't know if it can do the job. This is why I'm here asking this. I would like to have some advice on what not to do with some material. I've ever heard that a paste with ammoniac is to be avoid in aluminium.

Also, I'm searching a place where I can have information on finish. I know they are grade like A-1, A-2, A-3 finish, but never see a chart that explain each finish with picture.

It would be great if we could make this thread THE PLACE to get information or links on this.

Thanx!

Edit: I've post this thread here as the polishing is a big part of making a mold.

[Tebis]

Depends on the finish you get from the machining,sometimes I start with 180-220 and go all the way up to 1500grit.I use both paper and stone.Then I'll use different grades of diamond compound.

[9lrac9]

It's simple stuff... You can spend 4 to six hours prepping the mold after machining with wax, 120 grit wheels, and a die grinder. Then hand finish with sand paper and kerosene, draw polish from the bottom, deepest part of the mold to the parting line, not top to bottom, side to side. The more care on the sanding with the paper and the kerosene the finer the polish job will be, as the more scratches you get out the better you job will turn out. PS I used to polish blow molds for water and soda bottles, which the molds have a mirror finish. and dairy bottles made of Beu, ie Copper berilyium.


9lrac9
PS you can buy all you need at a good industrial hardware store. Polish...

[Tebis]

when I use 400+ paper and certain stones, I dip them in EDM oil and polish away.But be very gentle when you polish,do not put to much pressure or else you'll creating more scratches.

[Wiseco]

So as I understand, most of the polishing is still done by hand.

Does anyone use a Luster like this?

[Tebis]

Originally Posted by Wiseco So as I understand, most of the polishing is still done by hand. Does anyone use a Luster like this?

yeah that's a profiler,i use it mostly for ribs.

[bluechip69]

The profiler you show is mostly used with a stone. I have used these ,but like I said with a stone only. I use a felt strip and diamond polishing compound, much like whats on the site with the profiler, and use my hand.

Curtis.

[Tebis]

Originally Posted by bluechip69 The profiler you show is mostly used with a stone. I have used these ,but like I said with a stone only. I use a felt strip and diamond polishing compound, much like whats on the site with the profiler, and use my hand. Curtis.

What i do after the felt tip and diamond compound is I take a kleenex tissue and apply some diamond compound on it and repolish the surface i just finished ,this will remove any swirl marks the felt left behind.

[bluechip69]

Tebis, good point about the tissue. I forgot to mention that most anything else will leave scratches. So using a tissue is a must. Also for general cleaning of the mold anytime after just polishing as well.

Curtis.

[steedspeed]

How about .001 stepover on the cutter and leave it running for a month! Just kidding!

[mcliffwatts]

hi guys ,here in the uk we use wet n dry paper 400 grit down to 1200 grit (on alluminium) dipped in light oil ,always in appossing directions so as to polish out previous grit lines then brasso with tissue ,,mirror mirror ,on steel tools get some one else to it .

[mcliffwatts]

has any one converted an old bridgeport series 1 tape reader to pc controlled