Making a burnisher

[Brian Deakin]

My Question is, would this carbide drill blank be suitable for making a burnisher?

The commercial burnishers I have seen use a highly polished carbide rod ,would this rod function in the same way

regards Brian



https://i.ebayimg.com/images/m/mqrB4-3NZ5mBrB_W5MtoZsA/s-l200.jpg (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tungsten-Carbide-Drill-Blank-Dowel-7-9mm-5-16-diameter-x-74mm-long-53-grams/253504609708?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649)


Tungsten Carbide Drill Blank Dowel, 7.9mm (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tungsten-Carbide-Drill-Blank-Dowel-7-9mm-5-16-diameter-x-74mm-long-53-grams/253504609708?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649)diameter 74mm long

[Tom Wilson66]

I would think the polished rod would leave a slightly smoother burr, but the drill rod shown will raise a burr. At the price shown, it would be worth a shot. Personally, I don't use a burnisher, and think the burr from the grinding stone is good enough.

[Mel Fulks]

I gave a solid carbide laminate trim bit to a friend ,for use as a burnisher. He said it worked well and was made better by being polished with diamond compound. What you have is probably same stuff.

[John K Jordan]

My Question is, would this carbide drill blank be suitable for making a burnisher?

The commercial burnishers I have seen use a highly polished carbide rod ,would this rod function in the same way



Just curious, are you using this with "traditional" scrapers, negative rake scrapers, or card/hand scrapers (or all three like I do)?

I've made several and I far prefer a polished rod since any roughness might transfer to the edge and seems like it would be harder to control the pressure. A carbide end mill or router bit mounted upside down in a handle would work. Even a drill bit would work. This one uses a polished carbide rod:

381973

I use another polished carbide but it is a bigger diameter. I like the small diameter better.

As for the burr I find the grinder burr works but a burnished burr works cuts smoother and lasts a lot longer.

JKJ

[John C Cox]

Hmm... I suppose you could just use the shank of a decent "Cobalt" drill bit.. Most of those are pretty hard HSS.... And most are already polished...

The thing with that tungsten carbide rod... If it's already hardened and polished - it's probably fine.. But if it's not - yikes.... No thanks... Hand polishing carbide is not my idea of fun...

[Reed Gray]

The first one I made was from a tiny carbide drill bit, less than 1/8 inch diameter. It worked fine. An old router bit might be better...

robo hippy

[Jeffrey J Smith]

I’ve been using an extra fine ceramic slip stone to pull a burr on all my scrapers for 4 years or so - I got it from John Jordan (the other one) when I bought his excellent shear scraper. It works very well and the rounded side pulls a nice burr for scraping. After about 4 burnishes I use the flat side to remove the burr and pull a fresh edge before needing to go to the grinder.
Before getting the slip stone, I just used the side of an old D-Way 3/8” gouge too short to sharpen to pull a burr. works very well, too. I still use it when I’ve laid my slip stone where it doesn’t belong...

[John K Jordan]

I’ve been using an extra fine ceramic slip stone to pull a burr on all my scrapers for 4 years or so - I got it from John Jordan (the other one) when I bought his excellent shear scraper. It works very well and the rounded side pulls a nice burr for scraping. After about 4 burnishes I use the flat side to remove the burr and pull a fresh edge before needing to go to the grinder...

I should say I do that too, sometimes, using the same slip stone from the same John. (I use his shear scraper too.) What I found is the slip stone easily gives me a fine burr for extremely fine shavings. The burnished burr can be heavier depending on the force I use. I've been using the ceramic stone more on my other scrapers too as well as the insides of 3/8" and larger spindle gouges. I use only the burnisher on the hand/card scrapers I use at the lathe.

Very nice little stone, recommended. But what's that little groove down the middle of the curved section for, fishhooks or something? I'll ask JJ next time I see him.

JKJ

[Richard Dooling]

I also use a laminate trim bit and it works very well.