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Parts Are Finished To Customer Specifications
  Parts
may be finished in many ways. Each step in the finishing process adds
a little bit of cost, thus in several cases the customer may desire to
finish the parts theirselves.
Clip: The part is cut off the tree.
Prep: The sprue and casting residue is removed from the
part by grinding.
Oxidation: Many sterling parts are oxidized to emphasis
the detail. The oxidation is removed from the non-recessed areas by tumbling
or hand finishing.
Tumbling: Tumbling is the most cost effective means to
achieve a fine finish. Many media are available to help the artist achieve
the desired finished piece
Magnetic: A centrifugal magnetic tumbler achieves a quick
finish. Tiny stainless steel pins are used with a magnetic system to
move the media freely. This is a quick process to finish, or as a precursor
to further hand or tumbling finishing. The tiny steel pins may cause
pitting in the part and may not be suitable for many pieces.
Plastic Media: Plastic tumbling media is used to cut
down the newly cast part and produces a rough finish.
Steel Shot: Steel shot is used for final burnishing of
parts. It is a quick, inexpensive means of final finishing of parts
that don't require an extra smooth finish. Steel shot is heavy and can
leave small dents and/or pits in finished parts
Porcelain Media: Porcelain media gives a very fine, smooth
finish to parts. The process is slow, but can give a very cost effective
finish to parts compared to hand finishing.
Walnut Sheel: Walnut sheel produces a very fine, smooth
finish, similar to procelain media. The process is also similar to the
porcelain media, slow, but can be cost effective compared to hand finishing.
Hand finishing: Parts are hand finished with a fine buff
and polishing compound. The process is fast, but labor intensive. A couple
of minutes may be required for finishing but this is very expensive compared
to the five to ten seconds of labor required for tumbling. It generally
adds 50 cents to 2 dollars to the part. This yields the finest, smoothest
of all finishes.
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