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Finishing Aluminium
Hi Guys
I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Thanks Phil -- ----Android NewsGroup Reader---- http://usenet.sinaapp.com/ |
Finishing Aluminium
On 16/10/2020 19:16, thescullster wrote:
Hi Guys I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Thanks Phil https://www.toolstation.com/abracs-n...RoCKLAQAvD_BwE then acetone, then primer, then spray. Bill |
Finishing Aluminium
On 16/10/2020 19:16, thescullster wrote:
Hi Guys I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? yes How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Wver increasing grit sand* paper? Followed by a buffing wheel and cutting/polishing compound *wet and dry, used wet. It won't stay shiny long though. Not aluminium. Always ends up looking dull and slightly oxidated. Thanks Phil -- Renewable energy: Expensive solutions that don't work to a problem that doesn't exist instituted by self legalising protection rackets that don't protect, masquerading as public servants who don't serve the public. |
Finishing Aluminium
On 16/10/2020 22:45, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 16/10/2020 19:16, thescullster wrote: Hi Guys I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain Â* drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were Â* already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? yes How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Wver increasing grit sand* paper? Followed by a buffing wheel and cutting/polishing compound *wet and dry, used wet. It won't stay shiny long though. Not aluminium. Always ends up looking dull and slightly oxidated. It will be fine if you lacquer it or it is in a nice dry environment. Humidity and alkalis are the enemy of aluminium metal. Its weak point will be the screws/bolts since dissimilar metals in contact also leads to corrosion problems. Anodising will work but not for a mirror finish. Not really DIY either. -- Regards, Martin Brown |
Finishing Aluminium
On Fri, 16 Oct 2020 19:16:15 +0100 (GMT+01:00), thescullster
wrote: The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? Yes. I like something around 120 grit to finish, maybe 220. Sandpaper on table, push over it along a guide to get the final scratches parallel and straight to finish. How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Finer paper, and/or Scotchbrite, and then polishing wheels: felt and sewn, with the buffing compounds. I have cheap Wolfcraft "Hobby Polishing Set", felt and sewn wheels, blocks of compound, an arbor, goes in a drill. Works fine, will take ally to mirror finish with patience. (Leaves a black waxy mess imbedded in your finger skin:-) Thomas Prufer |
Finishing Aluminium
On 16/10/2020 19:16, thescullster wrote:
Hi Guys I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Thanks Phil Finish the edges by draw filing (file used at 90 degrees to normal use) with a fine file |
Finishing Aluminium
On 17/10/2020 12:16, thescullster wrote:
Had forgotten the term draw filing as I have been away from the tools for decades. Will have to look at the most appropriate fasteners as I will be tapping screws into the aluminium body. self taps for thin sheet, but tap holes for machine screws in thicker Or use some kind of nut insert - Al is not strong in shear... -- Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx |
Finishing Aluminium
Wrote in message:
On 16/10/2020 19:16, thescullster wrote: Hi Guys I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Thanks Phil Finish the edges by draw filing (file used at 90 degrees to normal use) with a fine file Thanks for all the advice guys. Had forgotten the term draw filing as I have been away from the tools for decades. Will have to look at the most appropriate fasteners as I will be tapping screws into the aluminium body. Phil -- ----Android NewsGroup Reader---- http://usenet.sinaapp.com/ |
Finishing Aluminium
In article ,
thescullster wrote: Wrote in message: On 16/10/2020 19:16, thescullster wrote: Hi Guys I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Thanks Phil Finish the edges by draw filing (file used at 90 degrees to normal use) with a fine file Thanks for all the advice guys. Had forgotten the term draw filing as I have been away from the tools for decades. Will have to look at the most appropriate fasteners as I will be tapping screws into the aluminium body. At school, we were taught not to use the best files on ally, as it clogs the teeth. But that was before the days of readily available abrasive sheets of all types. -- *A plateau is a high form of flattery* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
Finishing Aluminium
On 17/10/2020 13:06, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article , thescullster wrote: Wrote in message: On 16/10/2020 19:16, thescullster wrote: Hi Guys I am profiling a bracket shape out of 12 thk aluminium. Got as far as the rough profile with a jig saw and a bit of chain drilling and will dress it to shape with a file next. The question is, how do I get a decent finish on this? The edges will need tidying as will some scratches that were already present in the metal surface. Is this a job for ever increasing grit sand paper? How do I achieve a polished finish if that isn't asking the obvious? Thanks Phil Finish the edges by draw filing (file used at 90 degrees to normal use) with a fine file Thanks for all the advice guys. Had forgotten the term draw filing as I have been away from the tools for decades. Will have to look at the most appropriate fasteners as I will be tapping screws into the aluminium body. At school, we were taught not to use the best files on ally, as it clogs the teeth. But that was before the days of readily available abrasive sheets of all types. Chalk or paraffin can help with clogging, and my remaining memory pixies seem to think that caustic soda solution can be used to clean files that are clogged with aluminium |
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