Thread: A few questions

Many thanks to the experienced guys that have given me tips and pointed out resources for me to study.

I have a few questions:

1. What type of Mother’s Polish? They have Mag and Aluminum, California Gold and Billet Metal Polisher.
2. I’ve read the lesson on lead wedges.
3. Is there a lead alloy or sealant that will reduce or eliminate oxidation on lead wedges?
4. The lesson mentions CA for sealing. Is this a product? If so, what is the name. I see a library article on using a lathe for CA, though don't see that as the method for a lead wedge. Please clarify.
5. Should a sealant or coating of some kind be used near the end of making horn scales?
6. Can you seal bone? If so, what is a good product?

10,000,000 thanks!

1) I use Mother mag and Aluminum
3) I usually don't bother sealing my lead wedges, I have a couple of times and essentials it was just a drop of ca and then a quick wipe with paper towel to spread it and then a shot of accelerant and then do the other side.
4) CA is an abréviation for cyanoacrylate and it has many brands and makers, Crazy Glue is one, it also comes in different bodies (thickness) from watery to syrup. The thinner it is the faster it dries, there is also accelerant to make it dry almost instantly, but if it is quite thick when you apply the accelerant it may turn milky.
5) Horn does not need to be sealed it will polish up quite beautifully and needs only a little neatsfoot oil
6) There are ways of sealing bone, but for most bone it is quite unnecessary most of the time. I have read shellac works and so does CA. As with most natural items if you seal one side there is a risk of cupping. Bone without any coating will take a very nice polish and if you want to work it to a very high grit it will get a high gloss.

Originally Posted by Pete123

The lesson mentions CA for sealing. Is this a product? If so, what is the name. I see a library article on using a lathe for CA, though don't see that as the method for a lead wedge. Please clarify.

CA is super glue. I have used HDX brand from home depot, it is the cheapest they offer and is pretty good. It comes in 3 and 5 packs. The plastic caps they come with are pretty good. Have my first one nearly used up and it hasn't dried out yet after a couple months of sitting around. I haven't used an accelerant, because it dries in 3-7 seconds with a thin coat. I typically apply it with a cotton swap (Q-tip) or sponge brush as they are disposable and leave a decent, consistent layer.

I use Mother’s Mag & Aluminum and used to use it as a pre-polish for MAAS metal polish, that I felt was the best final polish for a high gloss.

MAAS is hard to find and a bit pricy, 10-15 buck a small tube.

A while back, in a workshop thread, Outback posted about 3M Marine Metal Restoration and Metal polish. It is as good or better than Maas and at 30 buck a large tub will last a long time, you don’t need much.

I bought mine on line from a local Marine Supply, but there are several vendors. There are also different 3m brands, get the white tub with green printing, that says Marine, Restoration.

It is the best polish and best value.

You can seal lead with CA Glue or Renaissance Wax, but I don’t bother, a dab of metal polish will bring back the shine.

Store your CA glue, even new un-opened tubes in an air tight jar with some silica gel pack to keep it dry. Do not store CA kicker anywhere near your CA glue. I store a small bottle of Kicker in a separate air tight jar on the other side of the shop.

And most important, do not use the kicker on your work bench, where it can contaminate your glue. Kicker fumes, will penetrate an unopened CA tube or plastic bottle and make it hard, according to hard core model guys.

Since I have been keeping them sealed separate, I have not had tube get hard or even had the tip seal up. I used to buy the ½ oz. tubes because, the CA glue, would get hard… I used to store the bottle of kicker next to the glue, duh…

If you decide on MAAS Griffith's shaving has a 1 pound tub for $28-$29 and I think they flat rate ship under $100 for $3.

You should be able to find the 3m at one of the Marine supply stores in Nashville. Not sure where you live, but if I remember right there's a ton of marine supply from Hendersonville down to Percy Priest If you're NW of NashVegas there's a few around between Ashland City and Clarksville (they follow the Cumberland oddly enough).

Jer