What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Tim Wescott wrote:


I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?)


Polishing stainless is pretty easy with a buffer and the right
compounds. You start with the course then medium and then the fine
and end end up with a mirror finish.

Scotchbrite gives a nice matt finish, but afoid the temptation of
steel wool. It leaves behind litlt bits of steel and then you get
corrosion, If you need to remove scratches, use good wet and dry 3M
sand paper in finer and finer grits, then use the buffer.

"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to other
suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the dull gray
they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Fine SS wire brush

On 10/07/2010 07:02 PM, Buerste wrote:
"Tim wrote in message
...
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to other
suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the dull gray
they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.


Fine SS wire brush

I even have one of them.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

On 10/07/2010 07:22 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
On 10/07/2010 07:02 PM, Buerste wrote:
"Tim wrote in message
...
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other
suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the dull gray
they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.


Fine SS wire brush

I even have one of them.

I gave it a swipe or two with a brush that I got at the local welding
shop, and it didn't seem to break through the surface and mark the metal.

There definitely seems to be some sort of a hard surface on it, which I
noticed while drilling.

So? Should I just go after it with sandpaper or something else harder
than a fine-bristle stainless brush?

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
On 10/07/2010 07:22 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
On 10/07/2010 07:02 PM, Buerste wrote:
"Tim wrote in message
...
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other
suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the dull
gray
they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.


Fine SS wire brush

I even have one of them.

I gave it a swipe or two with a brush that I got at the local welding
shop, and it didn't seem to break through the surface and mark the metal.

There definitely seems to be some sort of a hard surface on it, which I
noticed while drilling.

So? Should I just go after it with sandpaper or something else harder
than a fine-bristle stainless brush?

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Wow, what could it be? Maybe a coarser brush? Make sure it's SS or it will
contaminate the workpiece!

"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to other
suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the dull gray
they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.

--

Tim Wescott

I worked at a CNC SS facility. The problem is to get the "grain" right.
That is all those little lines. It is very difficult to do, has a long
learning curve, and takes a long time. They do make SS sheets that are used
for mirrors in institutions (and roadside bathrooms) that have a mirror
finish, but don't know how they get that fine of a finish, and then some
rube scratches it up with some gangsta emblem. To my guess, I would say
progressively finer grits of paper and compound. And then some fabric high
speed wheels. Still it is hard to get it all straight with no wavy or
transverse lines. The stuff is just hard to work with.

Steve

Heart surgery pending?
Read up and prepare.
Learn how to care for a friend.
http://cabgbypasssurgery.com

The gray dullish color is unavoidable. Polishing SS will never achieve a chrome bright finish. The gray color will always be
present. It is a light oxide coating that naturally develops with stainless in a free oxygen environment. It is what makes SS
stainless. The brush finish, which is most common is created by a special polishing drum about 3 " in diameter that runs about
1000 rpm. These drums carry a special scotchbrite abrasive.. These are available at polishing supply houses.These drums deliver
the even brush finish without streaks.
Steve

"Buerste" wrote in message ...

"Tim Wescott" wrote in message ...
On 10/07/2010 07:22 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
On 10/07/2010 07:02 PM, Buerste wrote:
"Tim wrote in message
...
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other
suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the dull gray
they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.


Fine SS wire brush

I even have one of them.

I gave it a swipe or two with a brush that I got at the local welding shop, and it didn't seem to break through the surface and
mark the metal.

There definitely seems to be some sort of a hard surface on it, which I noticed while drilling.

So? Should I just go after it with sandpaper or something else harder than a fine-bristle stainless brush?

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Wow, what could it be? Maybe a coarser brush? Make sure it's SS or it will contaminate the workpiece!

"Steve B" wrote in
:


"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like
to tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a
mirror finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm
open to other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better
than the dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?).

TIA.

--

Tim Wescott

I worked at a CNC SS facility. The problem is to get the "grain"
right. That is all those little lines. It is very difficult to do,
has a long learning curve, and takes a long time. They do make SS
sheets that are used for mirrors in institutions (and roadside
bathrooms) that have a mirror finish, but don't know how they get that
fine of a finish, and then some rube scratches it up with some gangsta
emblem. To my guess, I would say progressively finer grits of paper
and compound. And then some fabric high speed wheels. Still it is
hard to get it all straight with no wavy or transverse lines. The
stuff is just hard to work with.

The "color" of the polished SS depends a lot on the alloy. 304 will
always be grey. I asked a similar question here many years ago, because
I was customizing a bathroom fixture & wanted something that looked
vaguely chromish. Someone recommended 414, and it came out looking
pretty good. Still a tiny bit grey, but not enough to be a big deal.

Doug White

On 10/07/2010 05:43 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?).

Hmm. From the various answers, it sounds like I'm not going to get much
more out of this than what motivated me to use it in the first place --
stainlessness, or more accurately rust resistance on a part that just
couldn't be painted.

(Although I saw some similar handles this past weekend that used brass.
It's ugly as hell when it's all tarnished and green, but easier to
work than stainless and won't rust, either. Oh well).

I'm going to see how far I can get with sandpaper and oil, and/or
handheld Scotchbrite and oil. If I get anything better than what's on
there now I'll be happy, and if I get anything better than what I expect
I may even post pictures.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

On 10/07/2010 06:30 PM, RS at work wrote:


Tim Wescott wrote:


I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?)


Polishing stainless is pretty easy with a buffer and the right
compounds. You start with the course then medium and then the fine
and end end up with a mirror finish.

Scotchbrite gives a nice matt finish, but afoid the temptation of
steel wool. It leaves behind litlt bits of steel and then you get
corrosion, If you need to remove scratches, use good wet and dry 3M
sand paper in finer and finer grits, then use the buffer.

Actually I'm playing with sandpaper, and liking what I'm getting. I
didn't realize it until I started sanding on it, but the two things that
bothered me most about it were the obvious mill finish on the bulk of
the parts, and the tool marks around the edges.

Hopefully I can sand that out without wasting too much time. At some
point I want my handle, though.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

On Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:31:00 -0700, Tim Wescott
wrote:

On 10/07/2010 05:43 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?).

Hmm. From the various answers, it sounds like I'm not going to get much
more out of this than what motivated me to use it in the first place --
stainlessness, or more accurately rust resistance on a part that just
couldn't be painted.

(Although I saw some similar handles this past weekend that used brass.
It's ugly as hell when it's all tarnished and green, but easier to
work than stainless and won't rust, either. Oh well).

I'm going to see how far I can get with sandpaper and oil, and/or
handheld Scotchbrite and oil. If I get anything better than what's on
there now I'll be happy, and if I get anything better than what I expect
I may even post pictures.

I have seen similar type handles made using aluminum.

Cheers,

John D. Slocomb
(jdslocombatgmail)

On 10/08/2010 05:54 PM, J. D. Slocomb wrote:
On Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:31:00 -0700, Tim
wrote:

On 10/07/2010 05:43 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?).

Hmm. From the various answers, it sounds like I'm not going to get much
more out of this than what motivated me to use it in the first place --
stainlessness, or more accurately rust resistance on a part that just
couldn't be painted.

(Although I saw some similar handles this past weekend that used brass.
It's ugly as hell when it's all tarnished and green, but easier to
work than stainless and won't rust, either. Oh well).

I'm going to see how far I can get with sandpaper and oil, and/or
handheld Scotchbrite and oil. If I get anything better than what's on
there now I'll be happy, and if I get anything better than what I expect
I may even post pictures.

I have seen similar type handles made using aluminum.

Aluminum just seemed like it'd be wimpy, unless I used something harder
than 3003.

Way easier to work, though.

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

On Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:04:49 -0700, Tim Wescott wrote:
On 10/07/2010 06:30 PM, RS at work wrote:
Tim Wescott wrote:

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?)

Polishing stainless is pretty easy with a buffer and the right
compounds. You start with the course then medium and then the fine and
end end up with a mirror finish.

Scotchbrite gives a nice matt finish, but afoid the temptation of steel
wool. It leaves behind litlt bits of steel and then you get corrosion,
If you need to remove scratches, use good wet and dry 3M sand paper in
finer and finer grits, then use the buffer.

Actually I'm playing with sandpaper, and liking what I'm getting. I
didn't realize it until I started sanding on it, but the two things that
bothered me most about it were the obvious mill finish on the bulk of the
parts, and the tool marks around the edges.

Hopefully I can sand that out without wasting too much time. At some
point I want my handle, though.

Electropolish?

Good Luck!
Rich

On Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:44:08 -0700, Tim Wescott
wrote:

On 10/08/2010 05:54 PM, J. D. Slocomb wrote:
On Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:31:00 -0700, Tim
wrote:

On 10/07/2010 05:43 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?).

Hmm. From the various answers, it sounds like I'm not going to get much
more out of this than what motivated me to use it in the first place --
stainlessness, or more accurately rust resistance on a part that just
couldn't be painted.

(Although I saw some similar handles this past weekend that used brass.
It's ugly as hell when it's all tarnished and green, but easier to
work than stainless and won't rust, either. Oh well).

I'm going to see how far I can get with sandpaper and oil, and/or
handheld Scotchbrite and oil. If I get anything better than what's on
there now I'll be happy, and if I get anything better than what I expect
I may even post pictures.

I have seen similar type handles made using aluminum.

Aluminum just seemed like it'd be wimpy, unless I used something harder
than 3003.

Way easier to work, though.


How hard do you anticipate that airplane is going to pull :-?

A modification of your design has a complete bar closing the front -
like a "D". This allows the ratio between the airplane bellcrank and
the handle to be adjusted. Used to be fairly popular in Control Line
Speed as most speed models have a tiny little bellcrank because of
space limitations and a normal size handle gave full up and full down
all in a degree of movement.

Cheers,

John D. Slocomb
(jdslocombatgmail)

On 10/09/2010 04:23 AM, J. D. Slocomb wrote:
On Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:44:08 -0700, Tim
wrote:

On 10/08/2010 05:54 PM, J. D. Slocomb wrote:
On Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:31:00 -0700, Tim
wrote:

On 10/07/2010 05:43 PM, Tim Wescott wrote:
What the heck does Poland have with making things shiny, anyway?

I'm building a Fancher-style control line handle, like the one at the
bottom of this page: http://www.aeromaniacs.com/Suppliers.html. I'm
making the arms out of stainless (304 if it makes a difference). The
metal as it comes from McMaster has a gray matt finish, and I'd like to
tart it up somehow. I'm thinking that polishing them up to a mirror
finish would be nice if it won't take too very long, or I'm open to
other suggestions for simpler ways to make them look better than the
dull gray they are now (Scotchbrite?).

Hmm. From the various answers, it sounds like I'm not going to get much
more out of this than what motivated me to use it in the first place --
stainlessness, or more accurately rust resistance on a part that just
couldn't be painted.

(Although I saw some similar handles this past weekend that used brass.
It's ugly as hell when it's all tarnished and green, but easier to
work than stainless and won't rust, either. Oh well).

I'm going to see how far I can get with sandpaper and oil, and/or
handheld Scotchbrite and oil. If I get anything better than what's on
there now I'll be happy, and if I get anything better than what I expect
I may even post pictures.

I have seen similar type handles made using aluminum.

Aluminum just seemed like it'd be wimpy, unless I used something harder
than 3003.

Way easier to work, though.


How hard do you anticipate that airplane is going to pull :-?

Actually it's not the raw strength of the thing that I envision as
having problems -- I just have this vision of a handle with the most
popular holes wallowed out and breaking through from wear.

A modification of your design has a complete bar closing the front -
like a "D". This allows the ratio between the airplane bellcrank and
the handle to be adjusted. Used to be fairly popular in Control Line
Speed as most speed models have a tiny little bellcrank because of
space limitations and a normal size handle gave full up and full down
all in a degree of movement.

Actually the Fancher handle puts about a bazzilion holes on the two arm
ends to allow adjustment. You can't go all the way together in the
center, but you don't need to for stunt. This particular handle may not
have narrow enough spacing for a 1/2A plane, but it's plenty wide for
the one it's intended for. One could, of course, close the thing at the
center and have 1/8" line spacing if one wanted.

The other design that seems to be current puts a slot in that bar, and
puts small eye bolts in the slot for infinite adjustment. I kinda
vacillated on just what I was going to do, but when I ordered from
McMaster it was the stainless sheet that I got, so I guess that's what
I'm doing!

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html