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scratch and wet belt sander

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:56 pm
by vblue
I did a "flip and fire" on an 8" x 8" piece. When I took it out of the kiln, I found a scratch that I can feel with my finger nail.

I have access to a large wet belt sander with the various grits of belts. Can I use this to buff out the scratch...knowing I need to work the whole surface? Then fire polish?

Thanks,
Vernelle

Re: scratch and wet belt sander

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:12 am
by charlie
why can't you just do a full fire? that would also remove the scratch. you may need to dam it if it's thicker than 1/4" so it doesn't spread, but the colors won't move like they would have if it was still in pieces.

Re: scratch and wet belt sander

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:58 am
by vblue
Thanks Charlie. I wasn't sure refiring would work or not. Will refire tomorrow.

Re: scratch and wet belt sander

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 6:16 am
by Tony Smith
Where did the scratch come from? Most scratches don't survive a fuse firing.

Is there a ridge in your shelf or kilnwash? You don't want to refire only to discover the scratch has moved to a different spot.

Tony

Re: scratch and wet belt sander

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 6:55 pm
by vblue
Tony,
My kiln shelf is clean, smooth. I fired on thin fire.

Only thing I can think of is maybe there was a tiny shard of glass on my work table where I put the piece to clean it.

Vernelle

Re: scratch and wet belt sander

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 4:27 am
by Marian
The belt sander is impossible to use for a wide flat surface. It has a drum that the belt rides against. It will do edges. Refiring is definitely the best, easiest idea.

Re: scratch and wet belt sander

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:39 am
by Marty
Marian wrote:The belt sander is impossible to use for a wide flat surface. It has a drum that the belt rides against. It will do edges. Refiring is definitely the best, easiest idea.
You can get (or make) a flat platen that backs the belt's work area- it's for doing flat surfaces or edges.