Hi, I've bought diamond compound, but I've a problem because I don't get polishes the graver correctly. I've tested with my

ceramic wheels and with leather, but I can't and I don't know to know what to do... Diamond compound that I'm using have oil

base and it's in a syringe.

Thanks, that's all talks!!

Francisco Apellaniz
3/29/2007 4:27:14 PM

Hope this helps...

I use .5 micron diamond in an alcohol base (GRS and a few other vendors sell it). The medium really needs to evaporate for the diamond to be effective. But even with a flat graver like a 45 flat it doesn't give a good enough polish, especially when engraving silver or gold. Rubbing the heel and face of the graver in a side-to-side motion over 4/0 Emery paper really brings out a nice shine. You can get Norton 4/0 Emery paper at www.contenti.com at a good price.

Chris

Christopher Malouf
3/29/2007 8:39:38 PM

Hi Chris, thanks for answering. I bought diamond compound in syringe. with oil base, because in one forum someone said that he/she used. I've problems for buying diamond compound with alcohol base because it's a hazardous materials, and in Spain there aren't these products. From US, the companies don't allow to buy. I've find in www.cristalyte.com diamond compound in deionized water base, do you think this product is useful? I'll test emery paper, now I make mirror finish with red dialux polishing compound. Thanks a lot!! Good night from Spain.

Francisco Apellaniz
4/3/2007 4:33:56 PM

I really don't understand using an abrasive with an oil base unless it is used in high speed tool sharpening which is not really what you want when sharpening gravers. I think a water base will work for you and you will have better results when the water dries. If the water takes too long to dry and you get better results when it is dry then here's a little experiment...if you can get rubbing alcohol at a local store then you might try (very slowly) heating the diamond and water solution. When the water has evaporated away, let the diamond powder completely dry out. Then add it to the rubbing alcohol and mix it up.

I think it's amazing how many different ways there are to do things and how many different options there are to achieve similar results particularly when we are faced with so many unique obstacles around the world - that's what makes engraving more interesting than any other artform. Sometimes it's not just the finished product, but what you had to go through to get there!

Cheers & bondadoso suerte, (I think that's correct for "good luck")
Chris

Christopher Malouf
4/4/2007 4:39:31 PM

Hi Francisco

I have the same syringe type diamond compound that you describe. What works for me is I cut a brass circle about 1.5mm thick with a hole in the middle. The diameter is roughly a third to a half the width of the power hone that I use. Screw the brass disc over the wheel (ceramic/diamond)This gives it plenty of support.

Rub the diamond compound into the brass and let dry. Use sparingly. Sharpen graver as you normally would.........then give a light polish on the diamond impregnated brass. This brings the graver cutting edge up like a mirror.

When polishing let the graver edge just touch the brass lightly so the point dosn't gouge a line in the brass.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew Biggs
4/4/2007 6:07:37 PM

Hi Andrew, thank you so much for your fantastic explanation, and sorry for delaying, I've a lot of work these days.
I'll try to do in your way, but when tis product is finished, I'll want to buy a diamond in spray. I live in Spain. This is a problem because this product has an extra shipping charges, because is a hazardous material. I've find in www.crystalite.com, diamond spay with water base, not with alcohol base. Please, could you tell me if someone test it? Does this spray use as similar as GRS' product?
Thanks a lot, you're great!!

Francisco Apellaniz
5/13/2007 8:15:43 AM