removing dross on fairly delicate work

[chunkolini]

That's how I finish the edges. A flap wheel takes off the sharper bits.
Most of it comes off easily, it's the stubborn bits on the corners that are worst. And there's lots of corners

 

[sako243]

Two more suggestions - a small die grinder with various attachments? I recently got an M12 die grinder (straight) and with one of the pointy burrs would be perfect for getting into the corners. It'd be easier if you could come up with someway to hold the work pieces so you have two hands free for controlling the grinder.

Another possibility for more of a production run style of things is a vibratory ball pit? Not sure what they're actually called but I bumped into a mate at the Southern Manufacturing Show and he'd just been convinced to order one of those for cleaning / finishing Land Rover diff parts (he's Nige from Xcess 4x4). Like the cement mixer idea but a gentler process - perhaps one could be made with a load of shot and an off-centre cam attached to a motor in a on the bottom of a bucket on some springs?

 

[Shedendman]

With the after dross from plasma cutting you can use a square nose pliers pinch twist and snap off the dross

 

[chunkolini]

With the after dross from plasma cutting you can use a square nose pliers pinch twist and snap off the dross

Thats what I used to do then graduated to giving it a smart crack with a ball pein hammer and small cold chisel but there is about 2m per leaf ok not all the edge needs doing.
A tedious job. the joy of being an artist

 

[Mart63]

Probably a stupid idea but maybe an air needle scaler?

 

[chunkolini]

I have wondered about that option as well.
Im going to pick up a cheapie air chisel in the next day or so for starters

 

[Mart63]

I have wondered about that option as well.
Im going to pick up a cheapie air chisel in the next day or so for starters

They're not expensive. Definitely worth a try.

 

[daleyd]

Two more suggestions - a small die grinder with various attachments? I recently got an M12 die grinder (straight) and with one of the pointy burrs would be perfect for getting into the corners. It'd be easier if you could come up with someway to hold the work pieces so you have two hands free for controlling the grinder.

Another possibility for more of a production run style of things is a vibratory ball pit? Not sure what they're actually called but I bumped into a mate at the Southern Manufacturing Show and he'd just been convinced to order one of those for cleaning / finishing Land Rover diff parts (he's Nige from Xcess 4x4). Like the cement mixer idea but a gentler process - perhaps one could be made with a load of shot and an off-centre cam attached to a motor in a on the bottom of a bucket on some springs?

I’d second the vibratory ball pit. Chuck it in and leave it, takes away the need for you to be stood there altogether…

 

[chunkolini]

expensive and too big they are about 1m long
it would be nice to leave them to do themselves though.

 

[daleyd]

expensive and too big they are about 1m long
it would be nice to leave them to do themselves though.

That’s the thing - anything else requires you to stand there, taking up your time. If you can utilise that time better (by making more money, or just doing more enjoyable stuff!) you could offset that against the cost, but fair enough if the size doesn’t work for you then I guess it’s out the window.

 

[julianthegypsy]

60 grit disc on a grinder stick them on a mag chuck whilst u tickle them with the grinder

I agree. Plonk them on a magnetic chuck and it's really easy to clean things up with a flap disc, or a drum sander.

 

[Morrisman]

Thats what I used to do then graduated to giving it a smart crack with a ball pein hammer and small cold chisel but there is about 2m per leaf ok not all the edge needs doing.
A tedious job. the joy of being an artist

Any chance of getting them water jet cut, or laser, to remove the need for fettling? Or does that cost too much?

 

[Erie Fred]

What is your set up table wise ?
Water
Downdraft
"the floor"

 

[awemawson]

Can you etch it off with an acid? Dunk in a tank for an (experience adjusted) time and rinse off with copious water.

 

[chunkolini]

table is an 8x4ft lattice structure with dross and offcuts all over the floor.
Basic and messy but it does the job
I have a small area with smaller gaps for small scale work

 

[chunkolini]

table is an 8x4ft lattice structure with dross and offcuts all over the floor

Any chance of getting them water jet cut, or laser, to remove the need for fettling? Or does that cost too much?

I had thought of that easy to send a design away but I think they like the hand made thing and it does pay well despite being soul destroying

 

[bletchmonster]

table is an 8x4ft lattice structure with dross and offcuts all over the floor



I had thought of that easy to send a design away but I think they like the hand made thing and it does pay well despite being soul destroying

I was the same with the handmade rather than cnc, but the reality is cnc cut leaves etc, once you’ve knocked some shape/texture into them with a big hammer, look just as good as handmade

 

[nickk]

That looks a recipe for back ache/fatigue,can’t you raise it up for comfort.

 

[chunkolini]

But there's also a lot of stretching.
Ping!!!
Idea, I might try raising the far side of it on blocks.
Thank you nickk.
I'll report back

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

I’d second the vibratory ball pit. Chuck it in and leave it, takes away the need for you to be stood there altogether…

expensive and too big they are about 1m long
it would be nice to leave them to do themselves though.

There are a number of firms who offer it as a service, which might be worth looking into.

Just a question whether any are convenient and cost effective compared to the time you spend doing it by hand.

If you're doing these on an ongoing basis I would be tempted to build a "Blanchard grinder-ish thing" using a mag chuck, weld positioner, belt sander and some chicken wire... Struggling to describe the idea concisely in words, I will go find a bit of paper.