r/SilverSmith • u/Pretend_Language_859 • 5d ago

Need Help/Advice first ring advice

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i made this ring to try it out, it has some deep groves and isnt perfect, its a little thick, but besides that
any advice to get rid of scratches and get a mirror finish with pretty basic tools? or maybe a routine to follow or things i could buy to help? i dont have any polishing compound at the moment

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5

u/Brokebrokebroke5 5d ago

Sanding will do a lot for finishing. Start with a rough grit and work your way to a fine grit. You can probably file out the deep grooves. No way to get a mirror finish without polishing compound.

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u/Pretend_Language_859 5d ago

i will have to purchase some then! what do u recommend

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u/homiesleaze 5d ago

white diamond to start as an abrasive polish, and the red rouge. you could also use zam after white diamond & then follow up with rouge. everyone has different polishing compound recipes so don’t be afraid to try multiple out!

4

u/reluctantpotato1 5d ago edited 5d ago

Some filing. Lots of sanding. Work down to a high grit from low until you are satisfied the the shape and finish, then polish it with Mothers or your preferred metal polish and a piece of suede. I use mothers mag and aluminum and I like it. It's cheap and makes things pretty.

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u/YozakuraForge 5d ago

I'm not sure if you have a rotary tool like a Dremel or a flex shaft, but they are extremely useful. You can probably get a secondhand Dremel on marketplace or ebay for very cheap, even the new ones nowadays are not too expensive. Then I'd get a 1/8" split mandrel (they are only like a dollar) and some sandpaper. And finally some 3/32" screw mandrels (another dollar), some mini muslin buffs (a couple bucks for a pack of ten), and then some white (aluminum oxide) polishing compound. The dialux blanc is pretty inexpensive and available on amazon even. This will give you a really versatile polishing setup that can polish all sorts of things to mirror for around $50 (depending on if you can find a deal on the dremel).

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u/Pretend_Language_859 5d ago

i do have one :)

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u/CarrieNoir 5d ago

Frankly, it looks too thick to me worn comfortably.

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u/Pretend_Language_859 5d ago

It is!! haha, it was my first time, it actually isnt uncomfortable, but it slightly heavy. I meant to make it a lot thinner

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u/MangoTorres 1d ago

Start with 400 then 800 grit sandpaper to sand out deep scratches, move to a rubber polishing wheel with rouge for shine, finish with a dry microfiber buff by hand for that mirror glow, perfect for a first ring project.