The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Water jet to Deburring, radiusing, polishing Stainless Steel (Tumbler?)

2007

Hi,
I am starting a jewelry business and the problem I have right now is to go from the waterjet cut pieces to the finished product.

I am using SS 304, .060" thick. The pieces are about 2" x 1".

This is how I make the pieces:
-water jet my designs out of SS sheet.
-Debur using a Dremel tool ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] the outside edge (5 minutes per pieces max).
-Outsource finishing and polishing (Tumbling step 1 and 2).

I would like to get rid of the deburring stage.

I am looking for almost a full radius on the outside edges of my pieces; and a smoother edge on the inside cutouts.

The company that uses the tumblers can't get to the full radius. They're deburring the parts really well, but without radiusing the edges that much. They told me they left the pieces for more than a day in the tumbler without significant result!

Does it seem normal not to be able to radius those pieces? What would be the best tumbler/media for that job?
Should I use a different stainless steel to improve my results?

Thank you very much for your help!

Sylvain Poinssot
customer - Castaic, California, USA

---

I suspect your parts are flat and that is the problem with the edges, because if they had some shape to them they can be run in a coarse ceramic media without any problem and them polished. If they are flat, the parts will not circulate properly and will have to be done dry. There are some ways to improve that time cycle but too lengthy to discuss here.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2007

---

2007 Thank you for your reply. Yes, the pieces are flat, with or without internal cutouts depending on the design. What tumbler type would you recommend for that application? Could I use a different kind of Stainless Steel to improve my results? Thank you for your help. Sylvain Poinssot - Castaic, California, USA.

---

We have a product called 6A. It is used dry and contains mostly organic wood (treated) with an abrasive additive. Processing time with this product is approx. 24 -48 hrs. The abrasive in this product loses its properties over a relatively short period of time (48-96 hrs)and has to be replace periodically. We can also add either organic shapes to this mix to speed things up or inorganic non-abrasives for bulk and weight. Processing time with this product 12-24 hrs. Lastly, there is a new nylon preform shape with abrasives that is used dry. It is expensive (approx.$12/#) and will do the same thing in maybe 2-4 processing hours total.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2007

---

2007

I have followed all those years your work evolution...and congratulation, you have the courage to start your own thing!
what a good idea you have here. Jewels...
Good luck.
Nell

Nelly Bosier
- Bonheiden Belgique