Thread: What are you working on?

For non-flat and odd shaped stones, just press into a piece of floral foam, available from a craft or dollar store. Take your measurements from the impressions and route or drill with flat bottom bit and carve to fit.

Nice work, Jerry.

Nice work brother!

Originally Posted by Gasman

I made a couple of boxes for my Barber Hones. Why? Because I had the wood lying around and had a little time. Why not.

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Light colored stain and two coats of clear. Poplar wood. Getting practiced up for the exotic wood boxes I want to make for my Jnats.

Outstanding Jerry! Really like the way they fit in the wood!

Originally Posted by Euclid440

For non-flat and odd shaped stones, just press into a piece of floral foam, available from a craft or dollar store. Take your measurements from the impressions and route or drill with flat bottom bit and carve to fit.

Nice work, Jerry.

Would you then set it with some kind of filler to get it perfect?

Or are you just talking about have a box for the stone to lay loose in?

I have seen where they mount the stone at least semipermanantly in the box.

Tim, it appears the my vintage hones that are not finished on the back are set in plaster of paris or similar. I was planning and plotting to do one in garden variety silicone, and to keep the hone from being stuck in the box I intend to coat it with petroleum jelly. I see no reason why it would not work and the mount will be removable and water proof.

Just got this Hoffritz slant in the mail. The handle is silver. I’m having trouble figuring out how to clean up the knurled area. Are there any techniques you guys know of to attack that and not screw up the knurling?

I think I'd use a used toothbrush with some liquid dish soap to see how much crud comes off. I've also soaked in hot water with Dawn before using the toothbrush.

I also have used Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on a toothbrush afterward with good results.

Most toothbrushes these days are pretty soft. I couldn't find a 'Hard' bristled one except in a Denture Brush.

I have heard of guys using ultrasonic cleaning tanks to get the crud out of those. I know it will make jewelry sparkle. I think the usual issue is accidentally removing plating.

To set a Jnat in a box I'd want to remove it to use. Going slow and working out the bottom shape as close as possible would be good enough for storage purposes. Thanks for the idea of the hard foam stuff Marty. Sounds like a nice way to get it close.

JFK, you got a nice slant there. The toothbrush and soap are good and safe, but if you have to go with the polish I'm afraid you might lose what gold color you still have. Give it a go and go easy.

Don't know if this will work on crud but it does a great job on tarnish.
Cleaning silver with baking soda and tinfoil