polishing inside of a ~2mm ID stainless steel tube

[the_digital_dentist]

Anyone have any ideas on how to do it with readily available tools/materials?

[ironmonger]

How about:
http://www.terrauniversal.com/cleanroom-benches-tables/electropolished-stainless-steel.php

Admittedly the polishing electrode would be small.

What kind of finish do you need?
You could force plugs slathered with 1200 grit abrasive through with air or oil.

Paul
WB9HCO
No trees were killed sending this message, but a tremendous number of electrons were terribly inconvienced...

On Jun 19, 2013 8:23 PM, "the_digital_dentist" <mark.r...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone have any ideas on how to do it with readily available tools/materials?

--
 
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "milwaukeemakerspace" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to milwaukeemakers...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

[the_digital_dentist]

Maybe a wet piece of string/rope pulled through some pumice and then through the tube...

I don't know any finish specs- I want to smooth the tube in MegaMax's extruder- I keep having problems with the extruder failing, I think because the plastic is sticking inside the tube due to a rough surface.

[Metal Tech]

Rub polishing compound on a shoelace or leather cord.

Thread the tube on.

Tie one end of the shoelace to something that won't move.
Hold the other end so its taut.

Run the tube up and down the lace.

Do it carefully if you want to retain crisp edges on the tube.

You can get Dico polishing compound at Ace:
http://www.acehardware.com/search/index.jsp?view=full&origkw=Dico&sr=1&kwCatId=&kw=dico&f=Taxonomy%2FACE%2F12550829&kwCatId=&kw=dico&origkw=Dico&f=Taxonomy/ACE/12550829&sr=1

If you're going for a matte finish, just use household abrasives...baking soda, pumice, salt, toothpaste...

Hope that helps.  :)
Nik

On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 8:23 PM, the_digital_dentist <mark.r...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone have any ideas on how to do it with readily available tools/materials?

--

[David Buggs]

How long a piece?  

If not too long I'd dump it in a brass cleaner, (used in reloading) or in a hobby store as a rock polisher.  Use fine silica sand, like that used for casting and it would polish inside and outside at the same time.

D N Buggs

On Wed, Jun 19, 2013 at 8:23 PM, the_digital_dentist <mark.r...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone have any ideas on how to do it with readily available tools/materials?

--

[the_digital_dentist]

The outside has threads, but could be protected by covering with nuts.  Sharp edges are not necessary.  Hmmmm.

[Karen Pauli]

How big is this tube; length and diameter?  If it's something very narrow you might try a traditional pipe cleaner or cotton string or thread, rubbed with buffing compound.

[Bill]

There is rotten stone (aka pumice) at the space.  Ask Shane Thelan.  You can also buy sanding cord. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=9926&site=ROCKLER
 I used to use that to thread eyes on high speed quilting equipment, works really well.

[Ed Hagopian]

I was going to suggest pipe cleaner with polishing compound hooked up to a drill or something.

[Keith Voit]

DD.

You do not specify the degree of polish, i.e visual luster or a specified surface finish. But here's how I would begin;

1.make a felt(or leather) fob, which is a mini, in your case, cylindrical buffing wheel.

2.attach it to a rod  to make a mandrel similar to cleaning rifle barrels

3.charge the fob with SS buffing compound

4.hold the tube, insert the fob, spin the mandrel while drawing it through the tube

5. buff to desired finish

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 8:23:37 PM UTC-5, the_digital_dentist wrote: