Pre-Polishing Your Silver Project

[@davidbrooks5243]

I've been silversmithing for a few years and have learned lots of tips in making things easier since I found your channel. Wished I had something like your tutorials when I first started, keep up the good work!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks David! Glad you find them useful. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@prubin111]

Thank you Chad! I hope we get to see a video of that cuff, please 🙏 🌺🤙🏻🤗

[@chadssilversmithing]

Funny you should say that…. Just finished editing, so should be out tonight:). Thanks Paula!

[@prubin111]

@@chadssilversmithing I’m going to watch it now! 🌺🤙🏻❤️

[@chadssilversmithing]

Here’s the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGqooqh_iL-tsNU

[@larrymoremckenzie3029]

using the spindle for polishing the inside of rings,it's very handy to use a length of an old belt to wrap around the ring and squeese the ends together and hold tight,works like a charm,no heat.

[@chadssilversmithing]

That’s a really good idea Larrymore! Thanks:)

[@edatao2]

Thank You

[@chadssilversmithing]

Glad you found it useful:)

[@calebgibson1999]

The dremel style tool i use is the Bauer variable speed from harbor freight. It goes down to just 4,000 rpm to 20,000 rpm. I feel it gives more control when I'm going around the harder to reach places where I had problems with my dremel jumping and marking up the piece with the metal part of the bit. But I've never considered using the silicone bits to remove excess solder, I have been using a file and sandpaper, I think you have just saved me a ton of time, thank you! I love binge watching your videos. You are very good at what you do.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Caleb! I occasionally have that problem when I'm using burrs. Glad you got a time saver out of this one. I appreciate the nice comment!

[@mawi1172]

Yay!!!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ You ACTUALLY LISTEN to us! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@chadssilversmithing]

Of course I do:)

[@elisazulueta9535]

Thanks Chad that was very helpful for me as a beginner in metalsmithing ❤

[@chadssilversmithing]

I'm really glad Elisa! Take care!

[@bjones4097]

Thanks for that Chad. I have been using knife edge files, sandpaper and other handmade tools to get to the hard to reach places. Will be ordering these knife edge disks today!

[@chadssilversmithing]

You're welcome Bill!

[@CherylAnn2222]

Really helpful, Thanks Chad!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Ms.C2222! Glad you found it so!

[@bkteske]

super helpful, thank you for sharing so much information

[@chadssilversmithing]

You're welcome bkteske! I'm really glad you are finding it useful:)

[@kimberleyjewers140]

Thanks! Just making sure I was on the same page as you and wasn't missing any tips. Our only difference is that I use my flex shaft...

[@chadssilversmithing]

I have an ancient foredom tool that doesn’t work very well, but I would switch to a new one in a minute if I could budget it in:)

[@patredden4557]

Thanks, I have often wondered how you did your pre polishing.

[@chadssilversmithing]

I usually skip that in the videos to cut down on how long they are. Thought I should show it at some point:)

[@azizcrew]

Great info, thanks!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Anytime:). Thanks for watching!

[@flyingcheff]

You rock! Definitely enjoyable, often useful!!!!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Flying Chef!

[@Misschellesea]

I'm a beginner and just found your videos. Very great tutorial topics! I've watched a couple of your videos now and one suggestion I have as a beginner viewer would be to use the large amounts of silence in your recordings to dive a bit deeper into explanations of your techniques and why you choose certain tools to help beginners learn and consider different strategies. Thanks for sharing your skills!

[@chadssilversmithing]

I'll try to be a little chattier Michellesea:) That's a good idea anyway because it forces me to consider why exactly I do things a certain way. Occasionally I'll have a "duh" moment when I realize there is an easier/more effective path to accomplish what I'm trying to do. Thanks for the good comment!

[@littles64]

Great video .ty for your time. Would love a video on different kinds of polishing compounds used after pre polishing.right now I use after doing all my clean up and sanding a Tripoli and then a red rouge.looking for a change. I buy all my stuff from rio.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Littles64! I use White Diamond compound for the initial polish and then finish with Zam. I appreciate the comment!

[@jeffreybecker7020]

@@chadssilversmithing Why Zam instead of rough?

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@jeffreybecker7020 Hello Jeffrey. I just like the finish it produces. Thanks for the comment:)

[@stanwhittaker5434]

Hi Chad, been enjoying your video's for long time, just curious here do you use a dust mask when you pre polish and final polish?....now days seem's like every body says use one...Thank's Chad....

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@stanwhittaker5434 Hello Stan. I always because the silica dust is really bad for your lungs. Glad you are enjoying the videos Stan. Thanks for the comment!

[@susanmcneil5159]

I am still leaning proper clean up processes so thnx for the info. I struggle with cleaning the back of bezel cups. What did you use on the back of the large bezel cup in the center of that lovely cuff bracelet? Thnx

[@chadssilversmithing]

Generally I use coarse silicone abrasive wheels followed by felt with white diamond, and sometimes those small yellow wheels that look like the large polishing wheels on polishing machines. Hope this helps!

[@flyingcheff]

Another comment: why a Dremel? That’s setting the tool bar very low, so many things the Dremel isn’t good for in jewelry making, a new Metalsmith may be misled to invest in a Dremel as a polishing tool. Perhaps an in-depth on pros and cons of polishing tools would be a good subject.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Good point! Dremel definitely doesn’t have the oomph to really polish things, but I wouldn’t promote it as a replacement for a polishing machine anyway. A Foredom has enough hp, but the price may be more than a beginner wants to shell out early on. I like the idea of a video on pros and cons of different polishing tools. Perhaps sometime in the future I can do something like that.

[@codythompson2560]

@@chadssilversmithing A crazy budget option (that I've been using happily for awhile) is the Wen rotary tool. I use the Wen 2305 (comes with a flex shaft) and it's only $20 on amazon right now. It's certainly no Foredom or Dremel, but it packs quite the torque, especially for the price! I added a universal keyless chuck to save time changing bits (about $7) and also a variable speed foot pedal for greater control and usability. There's one on Amazon for about $20 as of this comment. Overall, a beginner could get a totally usable "Foredom-lite" setup for about or under $50 which I think it pretty great! You can also just use the rotary tool without any of the attachments to save even more if one needs. Thanks as always!

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@codythompson2560 Wow Cody, that’s really inexpensive. I’ll have to check that out! Thanks for the comment:)

[@davidbrooks5243]

I used a Dremel for years and found it a great inexpensive tool starting out.