What happens when you rub a soft-core pencil into your "Polishing Paper"? => 6 photos

 As this is my # 881 tutorial essay, I'd like to have this opportunity in reviewing a series of important essays. They will appear to be repetitive, but are so important to all levels of Diamond Setting.

 This is the first of many essays dealing with the texture, or grit of   the 'Polishing Papers'. I will display the techniques that will increase the grit of your polishing paper, at least 75%. 

 This cost will be an estimated $5.00 and this is for a new 'soft core pencil' (as being shown) these can be bought at any hardware store. These pencils will last for 24+ MONTHS (or more).

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 Technique #1) I use a soft shaft pencil to give me greater access to the 'rubbing action' on the desired paper.

Technique #2) What I do is to create a 45degree angle to the soft lead, thus giving me a wider exposure to the paper.

Technique #3) THE PENCIL LEAD MUST NOT BE TOO HARD, why not? The pencil lead must rub along the surface of the paper and NOT TEAR INTO THE FRESH PAPER.

Technique #4) If you tear into paper, that area will be deemed difficult to use in the future. JUST APPLY GENTLE PRESSURE TO THE PAPER AT ALL TIMES.

  When you are looking for these pencils, always ask the attendant for the 'softest core, pencil' available.

 This #600 paper will be quickly increased to an estimated #900+ grit at no extra cost to you.

  Technique #5) Don't rub everywhere on the paper surface, just where the "graver modification" will take place. 

Technique #6) Kindly apply a 'gentle rubbing' at areas where your graver will touch.

    The next essay will be about the actual graver polishing.

When should you wear (protective) Gloves & Glasses? => 12 photos

 These are the 'protective vinyl gloves' that will protect your fingers and hand also during the many applications of cleaning using a cloth polishing wheel.

 This is also very important in using your 'bench grinder'. You have no idea how deeply the 'grinding compounds' will easily embed themselves into your skin. ( OUCH !)

These come in "Right and Left" gloves, which makes it easier to put on and use.

During the earlier stages of shaping a graver, there will be an awful amount of metal being created.

These gloves are NOT FOR DECORATION, BUT THEY ARE FOR YOUR SAFETY.

 These large amounts of steel are 100% dangerous to your eyes, fingers and other parts of your hands.

 You can easily see the fiery shards of metal being released from the steel shaft.

 GET THE GLOVES ON TO YOUR HANDS, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

 This is the delicate aspect of graver shaping. Your gloves need to be tight on your fingers at all times.

IF YOUR GLOVE HAS A HOLE IN IT, THROW IT AWAY!!!! If the glove has any holes in it, it is deemed USELESS and DANGEROUS TO USE.

                     =>EXTREMELY IMPORTANT <=

 PLEASE USE PROTECTIVE GLASSES, AS SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT NEED TO GET YOUR EYES CLOSER TO THE ROTATING EMERY WHEEL. 

 I won't say what could happen next, but it isn't pleasant.

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 If sometime in the near future you need to have an "MRI" at your hospital.

YOU MUST INFORM THE MRI-OPERATOR THAT YOUR EYES HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO STEEL POWDERS.

 If you don't inform them and the MRI starts, the steel will get QUICKLY "removed" out of your eyes at 40 MPH and you could...(don't ask)..! It isn't nice to read.)

=>Google: "The Dangers of Steel in an MRI".

 Footnote: The dangers of metal dust in your body.

 In Toronto, Canada 4 months ago, a fellow didn't tell the MRI operators that he was wearing a large and heavy 18kt gold chain. The machine was then activated: guess what happened? He was instantly killed by the chain, as it cut through his neck.

 You might consider using these "NITRILE" gloves for the rough metal shaping. I suggest using a protective glove for those rough beginnings of metal shaping.

 Even these cloth gloves have a layer of protection molded onto the surface during the initial stages of being created.

   My email address is: gerrylewy18@gmail.com