How To Polish An Alu Chassis To Get Pretty Swirl Marks?

[rp]

I was told you can go at it with a rotary brass wire bush drill attachment. But I just have a hand drill and I think I better ask before doing some ugly damage. And, if I'm good to go, best to get some tips on technique.

[JoeCon]

rp

I used to do this to slot car chassis when I used to race them.
Hold the brush at about a 45 degree angled to the metal. Using a slow speed touch the metal and make a small circle, lift, move a small amount to the next spot. Repeat. It's a long slow process but looks nice when done. Perfection is not needed as the "handmade" look makes it individualized.

And lots of practice on scrap pieces first...have fun!

[martin manning]

I've never done one that way but brass is what I've heard too. Another option is abrasive rubber, and WD40 makes a good lubricant for aluminum. For working with a hand drill I think some kind of jig with a straight-edge to hold the shaft against would be a good idea, and you could put marks on it to get uniform pitch. One of those wooden rulers with a thin brass edge or a metal straightedge comes to mind, but you'd need a 24". Uniform pressure you'll have to do by feel.

[JoeCon]

Martin

Isn't this technique referred to as "turning?" I remember grandparents radio had a front panel of brass turned that looked great. Never seen aluminum done, but why not?

[martin manning]

Yes, but usually "Engine Turning." It is common on early automobiles and aircraft too.

[JoeCon]

Yes! That's it.

Thanks...

[rp]

Yes! That's it. Thanks...

+ ! awesomely expository image.

I should have checked Youtube first. The font of all human knowledge. I'm beginning to think that if the human race vanished overnight and down the road some aliens stumbled upon the planet, with a complete youtube archive and some dug up DNA they'd be able to rebuild the whole species and culture just like it was. Remember that 'golden disc' we sent into deep space with the Voyager spacecraft? We should now just launch a mirror of a Youtube server.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KmnVLU304w

This actually looks like fun.

I have a friend with a drill press. A timely New Year's email is in order.

[The New Steve H]

There are like a trillion ways to do it. One way is to chuck a wooden dowel in a drill press and put some kind of abrasive compound on the end of it.

It's also called "jeweling."

[ToneMerc]

There are like a trillion ways to do it. One way is to chuck a wooden dowel in a drill press and put some kind of abrasive compound on the end of it.

It's also called "jeweling."

Yep, I've jeweled the bolts on a couple of Ruger 10/22 rifles and that's how I did it, a drill press, wooden dowel and jewelers rouge.

TM

[DonMoose]

These guys http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/ make aluminum-bodied Cobra kits - expensive ones - and they suggest red scotchbrite pads to produce the 'brushed' finish.

Sticking one of those onto a sanding disc and going at a low speed should get you there ... and low risk of non-recoverable damage if it doesn't.

Hope this helps!

[Cantplay]

Easy way is cratex pad in rhe drill press.

To me these marks mimic the patterns left by the milling machine, so thats the way I do it.

I can also tilt the head slightly to make dragon scale.

[rp]

I couldn't find anyone with a drill press and got impatient. I also couldn't find the nice arbor and scotch brite pads like in the vid. So I improvised an arbor and cut some round pads from some medium scotch brite stuff and went at it with a hand drill.

FYI the hand drill makes it impossible to get the nice engine turning, but I just moved it around back and froth and got a nice subtly swirly satin finish that way. It hid the scratches from the drilling and punching and looks nicely intentional.

Disintigrating scotch-brite mixed with Alu dust makes a bit of a mess, maybe next time not on the kitchen table.

These guys http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/

cool cars! If you own one and you see me approaching with a hand drill you should floor it!

[Dr-Joned]

I think it looks great ! I have used a vibrating sander with a fine paper to achieve unusual results.

[Mat Cortex]

hi, you could use LarryPpotterfield tips.
gunsmithing - how to jewel a rifle bolt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2ggYjdzfsg

[Andy Le Blanc]

all sorts of ways to do it... but what you really have to do is clean it when your done, and seal it.