Dealmonger: 2″ Curved Steel Burnishing Tool
By Nick Carter
Rings & Things has a 2″ long curved burnishing tool used to burnish malleable metals in jewelry making for $2.50. If it seems a little on the strange side, it will only seem so until you require its services.
The burnishing tool is one of the only ways to “erase” a deep scratch in a piece before polishing. While sanding removes metal, the burnishing tool moves metal, smearing it if you will, so you can often make a pit or scratch disappear. Burnishing tools are also used when setting stones to get the bezel around the stone to shrink to fit and hold the stone securely.
2″ Curved Steel Burnishing Tool [shop.rings-things.com]
August 21st, 2009 at 10:22 am
I first was told to buy one of these in a metal working class in 19mumblemumble. My first thought was that it wouldn’t do a damn thing. I was astounded when it actually did move enough metal to smooth some pretty deep gouges. The mumbles are to protect the aged.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:03 am
That’s a really good description of what a burnishing tool is for, Nick — and thanks to “older than you” for a testimonial. Appreciate your talking about this tool we sell!
–Dave
August 21st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Yeah this is a great idea….. burnishing is great as Older than you said…… sometimes you just need to smooth some areas out. Lathe work is the best example. But you can burnish soft materials with a lot of smooth edge tools… try it before you knock it
ShopMonger
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I think they use a burnishing tool in aviation too, but I’m not sure what for exactly.
August 24th, 2009 at 8:42 am
This looks lovely, and I wish I had had one like this when I was setting those stones in silver bezels.
My straight burnisher did the job, though.