Polishing Metal

[Graham Haydon]

Just to save me too much time experimenting on alternative methods what would you guys do to polish up the back and saw plate on one of these http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/produc ... tenon-saws ? They are quite rough a feel like they will need some reasonable elbow grease.

Note: I respect the fact this may not be essential and may be viewed as a waste of time by some, that said I do want to improve the feel and look of the tool to suit my needs.

Thanks in advance!

[Chris Griggs]

I would just work up through fine grits of sandpaper. I think I polished the backs on my shop made saws up to 600 starting from 220, which gave a semi polished semi matte finish. If they are really rough start coarser.

[David Weaver]

Ditto to what chris says, though I didn't go beyond 220 in my case, I was just careful to make sure the scratches were all running in the same direction.

If you go beyond a matte finish, the saw will show every fingerprint and ding or touch of any other object. Sort of the same case as plane sides and bottoms.

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

If I can get at it well, I just like to draw-file it. If you keep the file clean, you can a reasonably nice finish off a nice, fine, single-cut file that way, and it's quicker than sanding.

[Hilton Ralphs]

Getting the saw plate to a mirror finish certainly had its advantages especially on the left side if you're right handed.

What about one of those polishing mops that you can chuck into a (gosh) powered drill?

[Derek Cohen]

There have been several reports of success using bunched up aluminium foil and metal polish. Not tried it myself, but the photos are compelling.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

I totally missed that we were talking about the plate as well - I was just thinking the brass back.

[Bill White]

Derek beat me to the polish with alum. foil trick. I use MAAS polish with crumpled foil, then wax.
Bill

[Graham Haydon]

Thanks everyone. Will post some pics when done.

[Ryan Baker]

I didn't have as much success with the aluminum foil and polish trick. It did help a lot, but didn't produce the same results some have posted. Maybe I started with a worse plate, and maybe I just need more elbow grease. I was using Flitz polish if I remember right. It helps, but it isn't what I would really call polished.

[Chris Vandiver]

I didn't have as much success with the aluminum foil and polish trick. It did help a lot, but didn't produce the same results some have posted. Maybe I started with a worse plate, and maybe I just need more elbow grease. I was using Flitz polish if I remember right. It helps, but it isn't what I would really call polished.

Use Autosol. Big difference over Flitz. Start with a clean saw plate(no rust).

[Ryan Baker]

Use Autosol. Big difference over Flitz. Start with a clean saw plate(no rust).

Yeah, I'm going to try that. I didn't have any at the time, but I do now.