Polishing a clenching iron?

[dmede]

My girlfreind got me a clenching iron for x-mas, which I needed for the upcoming clench nailing of my fiddlehead canoe. It's a nice iron but comes with a rough surface from the casting. I have read that it's best to polish the surface a bit so the copper tacks slide easily along the irons face.

Whats the best way to polish the iron? I do not have an angle grinder. I have a regular battery drill, a high torque corded drill and a belt sander. As well as a few files. Wire brush does nothing. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Try a couple of different grits of wet/dry sandpaper. It will take a bit of time, but you won't damage the curve of the iron. Try 150 then follow it up with 400 for the final finish.

[Ken Hutchins]

The cast surface of cast iron is extremely hard so you will need to start with your angle grinder with a fiber reinforced disc of about 24 grit, then go to a flexible disc 36 grit, then 60 grit, then 120 or 180. Be sure to clamp it in a vise to do this grinding. Then final polish with 200 wet or dry.

[Ross M]

I would remove the platen from the belt sander, if possible, allowing the belt to follow the curve of the iron's face more or less.

You may want to go at this lightly so as to preserve the thickness of the hardened surface (assuming one exists)

Ross

[ 12-27-2004, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: Ross M ]

[dmede]

Well, what I'm wondering is, since I don't have a grinder what should I use with my drill or belt sander to do the work? I have not had any luck fiding grinder like attrachmetns for my drill. Will regular belt sander belts do anything to iron? Everything I see for it says wood.

[Peter Page]

Your belt sander will work but take the dust bag off in case you start a fire with the sparks.
Peter.

[Hughman]

Originally posted by Peter Page:
Your belt sander will work but take the dust bag off in case you start a fire with the sparks.
Peter.And thoroughly! vacuum the machine when you're done. Metal filings can contribute to explosions under the right conditions.

[ 12-27-2004, 10:27 PM: Message edited by: Hughman ]