Thread: Rio Grande = Restoration Overload. Need Advice

So I'm going to give restoration a shot and am outfitting myself. I don't have much at present except a Dremel and various doodads it came with.

I set up an account at Rio Grande and all I can says is "Holy #$%!". They have some much in inventory I'm kind of at a loss as far as what to get. I was just wondering if someone could look over my order list and give me some advice regarding what else to add, or what I really don't need.

Thanks!

Code:

332596    DISC,RADIAL BRISTLE KIT,9/16"        12 each: 120-grit, 220-grit, 400-grit, pumice, 6µ, and 1µ
337342    ABRASIVE,3M PAPER ASSORTMENT         2 each: 150, 220, 280, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and 2500
349141    DRILL,CARBIDE SET OF 5,1/8 SHANK     sizes 52, 55, 60, 68 and 72
112195    HAMMER,RIVETING,1 OZ
331130    COMPOUND,FLITZ,150 GRAM TUBE
112002    ANVIL,BENCH,4-1/8"X 2-5/8            4 1/8" x 2 5/8" (98 x 67mm);Weight: 1.45 lbs. (.65kg)

"

Originally Posted by D2T

So I'm going to give restoration a shot and am outfitting myself. I don't have much at present except a Dremel and various doodads it came with.

I set up an account at Rio Grande and all I can says is "Holy #$%!". They have some much in inventory I'm kind of at a loss as far as what to get. I was just wondering if someone could look over my order list and give me some advice regarding what else to add, or what I really don't need.

Thanks!

Code:

332596    DISC,RADIAL BRISTLE KIT,9/16"        12 each: 120-grit, 220-grit, 400-grit, pumice, 6µ, and 1µ
337342    ABRASIVE,3M PAPER ASSORTMENT         2 each: 150, 220, 280, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000 and 2500
349141    DRILL,CARBIDE SET OF 5,1/8 SHANK     sizes 52, 55, 60, 68 and 72
112195    HAMMER,RIVETING,1 OZ
331130    COMPOUND,FLITZ,150 GRAM TUBE
112002    ANVIL,BENCH,4-1/8"X 2-5/8            4 1/8" x 2 5/8" (98 x 67mm);Weight: 1.45 lbs. (.65kg)

"

What, no kitchen sink? I would recommend flap wheels in a variety of girts. And muslin wheels in various sizes. Chamois or leather buffing wheels are great for the final on a mirror finish. A side hint, I wear mechanics gloves when I'm aggressively sanding, grinding, polishing or buffing. Eye protection is very important when grit, steel dust, blade edges chips, Dremels, and anvils start flying around the work shop. Gosh, I wonder how I know about that?

Originally Posted by Kenrup

What, no kitchen sink? I would recommend flap wheels in a variety of girts. And muslin wheels in various sizes. Chamois or leather buffing wheels are great for the final on a mirror finish. A side hint, I wear mechanics gloves when I'm aggressively sanding, grinding, polishing or buffing. Eye protection is very important when grit, steel dust, blade edges chips, Dremels, and anvils start flying around the work shop. Gosh, I wonder how I know about that?

If they had a reasonably priced kitchen sink I'd consider it I hate putting an order in and then realizing I'd probably need X-Y-Z afterwards. I try to be as thorough as possible on the first try.

I have the required safety equipment as I am an amateur gearhead/welder. I'll look into the buffing wheels and flap wheels though. Thanks!

Order made, with some buffing wheels as suggested by Kenrup. Didn't see any flap wheels though. Guess I'll have to look somewhere else.

I must admit, their shipping is crazy fast. Within a few hours of pressing "process" I get an email saying it shipped. And not just a "Billing order received" type tracking. It actually left.

That's a +1 so far for Rio Grande in my book.

Originally Posted by D2T

Order made, with some buffing wheels as suggested by Kenrup. Didn't see any flap wheels though. Guess I'll have to look somewhere else.

I must admit, their shipping is crazy fast. Within a few hours of pressing "process" I get an email saying it shipped. And not just a "Billing order received" type tracking. It actually left.

That's a +1 so far for Rio Grande in my book.

You can get flap wheels here

You can also get 6/8" radial bristle discs from www.smallparts.com. I think they're a bit cheaper.

wear a mask when sanding. that black gunk and rust and metal is not good ya just one of those cheap white ones will help tremendously.

yes, small buffing wheels for the dremel are nice for helping with polish.

peening hammer and 1/16th inch brass rod stock along with #0 and #0wide washers.

small tungsten cutting bit for the dremel helps remove old washers so that you can pull the old pin out.

~J

Smallparts also sells stainless steel washers in the right sizes for our use. I'll be trying them with 1/16" nickel welding rod. However, I'll have to re-order them because they sent me the wrong size and they never shipped out a replacement. It's not worth my aggravation to be trying to get'em to ship them out again. Actually, it might be a good idea to play it safe and go through RG.

I apologize for the post hijack, but how do you get past the membership rules at Rio Grande? I'm not a jeweler, and I don't own a restoration business, but I would like to buy stuff from them; however, in order to get an account, you have to call them and state how you're associated with the jewelry industry.

Thanks,
Trent

I was told if you call them and tell them
you buy and restore and sell straight
razors they'll set up an account for you.


John