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Calculate investment powder and water for lost wax casting flasks. Free online jewelry making calculator with instant, accurate results.
Convert AWG wire gauge to diameter and cross-section. Free online jewelry making calculator with instant, accurate results.
Calculate weight of metal bar, plate, tube, and sheet stock from dimensions and alloy density. Supports steel, aluminum, copper, and common alloys.
Start with the coarsest compound needed to remove tool marks, then step through progressively finer grades. Never skip more than one grit stage on precious metals.
Stages: Cut → Tripoli/Emery → Bobbing → Rouge (fine)Harder wheels (felt, hard muslin) carry fine compounds; softer wheels (soft muslin, chamois) distribute coarse compounds. Match wheel speed to compound: 3,450 RPM for cutting, 1,750 RPM for rouge.
Wheel hardness ∝ compound finenessApply compound sparingly — excess creates build-up that transfers coarser grit to fine wheels. A pea-sized amount per wheel session is typical for bench-scale work.
Compound per session ≈ 0.1–0.3 g per wheel faceUpdated: July 2026
A cast silver ring needs scratch removal through four polishing stages.
→ Mirror finish in 4 stages; total time ~8–12 minutes per piece
A 14K gold band with minor wear, skipping coarse cutting stages.
→ High polish in 3 stages without removing measurable metal
Hard platinum requires dedicated wheels to avoid cross-contamination.
→ Bright platinum finish; never mix platinum wheels with gold/silver wheels
Dedicated wheels for each compound grade prevent grit contamination. A coarse particle embedded in a rouge wheel will scratch instead of polish.
Cast surfaces have porosity and investment residue. Starting directly with rouge wastes time and embeds compound in pores. Always cut first on cast work.
Excessive polishing thins prongs and rounds sharp edges. Use a smaller wheel or hand-polish delicate areas after bulk finishing.
Jewelry finishing follows a progressive sequence from coarse cutting compounds through fine polishing rouges. Using the correct compound grade and wheel for each metal and stage prevents scratches and achieves a mirror finish efficiently.