btboone
Member
I'm checking into burnishing tools for my titanium rings and wondered if the technique might also work on wood or plastic. In burnishing, there's a tool that has a roller like a ball bearing under constant pressure with the part. The idea is to "iron out" all the small machining marks caused by the cutter. When properly done, metals can be absolute mirror finish right off the lathe. I just got information for one system that works with super high pressure coolant to "float" the ball where it follows the contoured surface automatically. It's almost like a ballpoint pen in the way it works, but the system is horrendously expensive because of the super high pressure coolant system. I've also seen single tools that look like they are nothing more than a spring loaded ball. Perhaps a tool like this could be made to work on pens. It seems like plastics and maybe wood could possibly work because the materials are so relatively soft.
I'll try to get a ball detent to make a tool, or make my own tool from a spring and ball bearing. I was wordering if anyone has tried something like this? It could potentially save a lot of time on finishing if it works.
I'll try to get a ball detent to make a tool, or make my own tool from a spring and ball bearing. I was wordering if anyone has tried something like this? It could potentially save a lot of time on finishing if it works.