polishing a #80 ag chain

[bouldermsm]

Hi Folks,

I'm just wrapping up a **** project for some friends who completed Ironman Wisconsin a few weeks ago. I am trying to put just a little polish or shine to the outer plates and out facing pins of this State of WI chain-frame. I've tried a flap wheel sander and a stripping wheel on the grinder without much luck, the surface is just to uneven and chews up the wheels. If I polished the outside of the inner link as well that would be fine. Maybe a reasonable solution doesn't exist for what it is.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Dave.

 

[astroracer]

A rock tumbler with polishing medium would work well.
Spray the chain with clear laquer to keep it from rusting.
(unless it is already in the shape of the state...)
Mark

 

[bouldermsm]

Thanks for the idea Mark. Can't say I've used a rock tumbler before but I should have mentioned that I am just wrapping up this project and it's rigid welded/painted as pictured above if that makes a difference.

Dave.

 

[nine4gmc]

deburring wheel on a buffer

 

[zkling]

Semi loose buffing wheel and start with a very coarse compound. Followed by a wheel heavily coated in mothers mag and aluminum polish. You should be able to use it as a mirror after that.

Tip is to run the wheel along the length of the chain, not across, or it will want to grab and round over the edges.

 

[bouldermsm]

zkling,

Thanks, I would have never thought of that. I don't own a dedicated buffer/polisher but have all sorts of fixed/variable speed drills and 4"/7" grinders. What is the typical rpm for each of your suggested steps? I guess I need to be able to chuck-in or thread on the wheel, too.

Dave.

 

[Slowboat]

Go on eBay and try to buy some stainless chain? I got a bunch via buy it now for not much money.

 

[zkling]

zkling,

Thanks, I would have never thought of that. I don't own a dedicated buffer/polisher but have all sorts of fixed/variable speed drills and 4"/7" grinders. What is the typical rpm for each of your suggested steps? I guess I need to be able to chuck-in or thread on the wheel, too.

Dave.

Do you have a 6" bench grinder? You can put a wheel on a angle grinder, but you need to be very careful as the RPM is ~3x what you want it to be.

 

[bouldermsm]

It's funny that I can't seem to think of any of these when it's something I've never tried!

Yes, I do have a fixed speed bench grinder. The piece is 30 lbs and awkwardly shaped so it might be a challenge presenting it to the bench grinder as opposed to vice-versa with a angle grinder while it's laying flat on a bench.

I'll stop by the stores today and look at the recommended RPM's for the wheels and go from there. I have an extra few links of chain I can practice with.

thanks again.

Dave.

 

[Kevin54]

Other than chrome plating, I would leave it like it is, and just spray it with some clear. No matter what you do, you won't get the results that I believe you are looking for unless it's chromed. The only other alternative is to spray it with a silver paint, or spray it with some sort of a color that goes with the scheme of things already.

 

[bouldermsm]

I've had some good luck thanks to the forum's input. I was definitely in the "trial and error" phase and found some great suggestions outside of my diminutive mental box.

I've got the links looking better and will rattle-can some clear on it tomorrow and post some more photos to close the thread.

Thanks again. Dave.