[Jewelry making - Article 00535] - Re: [Orchid] Ultrasonic rouge builds up

[Karen Goeller]

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>             One of the biggest problems I come across when using the
>     ultrasonic is the amount of rouge powder that builds up in the
>     solution. Hi there,  just wondered if  I might be missing the point
>     here but in my workshop and in that of my mate the goldsmith, the
>     ultrasonic cleaning is about 99% concerned with cleaning off rouge
>     from polishing. So.... if you do pre- ultrasonic-ing , wouldn't
>     that just take up more valuable time and involve more expense than
>     just changing the ammonia + fairy liquid in the ultrasonic tank and
>     make a two step procedure from  one step. Ruth,  melting in a very
>     very hot evening in Nottingham. :-) 

    Hi Ruth, Well, if that's all you're really using your ultrasonic for,
    then I suppose it would be adding time to your process. 

    In my shop, I don't use the ultrasonic very much for rouge removal
    -- in fact, I only use it for rouge removal of VERY textured,
    filigreed, or patterned pieces.  It's much faster for me to give a
    quick scrub with ammonia and dish soap, using a soft-head toothbrush
    (the new SPIN brushes, at $5 - $7, are amazing for this!), rinse, and
    then the piece is ready for the next polishing or finishing stages. 

    My ultra is used mainly for: 

    -  Final cleaning of completed items with set stones 

    -  Neutralizing pickled items of hollow-ware, mokume, or designs
    likely to have trapped pickle (using a dollop of baking soda and
    water in a floating baby food jar) 

    -  Deep cleaning older items before working on them 

    So I guess it comes down to your work procedures. For me, it's more
    time, trouble, and expense to use the ultra for routine rouge
    removal.  For you, it may not be. 

    I'd be interested in hearing how others divvy up their use of the
    ultra. 

Karen Goeller
kgoeller AT nolimitations.com
http://www.nolimitations.com


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