How to Get a Smooth Finish on a Metal Lathe - Kevin Caron

Artist Kevin Caron - and a wine-drinking mystery guest - use a special sandpaper to get a smooth finish on the aluminum goblet Kevin is creating on his metal lathe.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• fabrication
• lathe
• polishing
• lathes
• machine tools
• sand paper
• metal working
• metal work
• metal lathe
• artist Kevin Caron
• sculptor

[mickstacklehythe]

An accident waiting to happen Kevin ! instead of holding the emery cloth, glue or tack some strips onto 1 inch x 1/4 inch wooden strips- fingers cannot be replaced mate !

[kevincaron]

@mickstacklehythe True but fingers can conform to a contour where a stick can't. All depends on the job at hand IMHO. But point well taken and a great tip to try out the next time I am at the lathe.

Thanks for posting.

[tmagdahl]

Being aware of different importance levels of a lathe in a value chain and the required precision, I always considered it a sin to sand on top of the rails and letting the abrasive released by the paper to get in between the sliding surfaces (you never get it completely out). You notice the effects because the lubrication starts to turn black because the rails are being abraded. After a longer time they wear more at some places. If needed I would always protect them with paper or plastic sheet.

[kevincaron]

@tmagdahl Very good point that I never thought about!!

Thank you for posting! Hope everyone takes it to heart and changes their way. I know I will!!

[ToxicZim]

SCOTCH BRIGHT!!!

[kevincaron]

@ToxicZim That comes after the sandpaper!!

Thanks for posting.

[constantlydoped]

Great video Kevin... but I must say, when I close my eyes and listen, I could swear Kermit the Frog is talking :|

[kevincaron]

@Morkvonork This is the shiny aluminum. I got it from the scrap yard and have no idea what kind it is.

Thanks for asking...

[csa0890]

@RachelRaithby what happens if the bar gets grabbed into the lathe? It becomes a very fast moving projectile. I feel (and this does come from experience sanding several ways on a lathe) using a LONG strip of sand paper is safest that way it can be wrapped around the part and held at a distance.

[RachelRaithby]

3M make a foam block that comes with any grit you like I atach these to a peice of flat bar and keep my hands away from the work I would roast my tradesmen or apprentacies for doing anything less safe

[muh1h1]

@constantlydoped you*re right, i was thinking, where i know the voice from, but now i know it hahaha ;)

[tmagdahl]

@kevincaron It was a very long time ago (before 1980) that I was made aware of this issue, that I tend to say "always considered" but I made the mistake with my lathe too. I was told that the dust generated by using a file is not meant to fall on the rails or lead-screw too, and that you should protect them too, specially if it is from hard steel or SS. Remember that diamond dust is used to polish diamonds and the same holds for steel though not optimal if abrading steel is the goal. Regards!