3M Bur and Polish Wheels

3M XR wheels, formerly known as XK wheels are ideal for sprue removal and smooth deburring with minor surface reduction. A channel can be created in the wheel for repetitive multiple part processing. They replace stone wheels, have superior edge retention and last up to 4 times longer. The side of the wheel can be used as a lap to produce crisp edges and they generate less waste than conventional wheels..

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Home Learning Center Jewelry Making Fabrication Finishing Polishing and Cleaning3M Bur and Polish Wheels

By Mark B. MannMore from this author

Below are the 3M XR, Scotch-Brite, Bur an Polish Wheels for you deburring, finishing and polishing needs. Learn more about them.

3M™ XR Wheels
3M™ XR wheels, formerly known as XK wheels are ideal for sprue removal and smooth deburring with minor surface reduction. A channel can be created in the wheel for repetitive multiple part processing. They replace stone wheels, have superior edge retention and last up to 4 times longer. The side of the wheel can be used as a lap to produce crisp edges and they generate less waste than conventional wheels.
	XR wheels are available in 6 by 1 by 1 1/4 inches and 6 by 1/2 by 1 1/4 inches. They are offered in medium hard and fine hard surfaces. This 6 inch wheel is shown with a 3M™ tapered spindle adapter.
	I used the XR wheel to remove the sprue and went around the high surface of this 14 karat white gold ring. Sprue removal was quick and generated little wheel waste. Surface reduction was minimal and I created flat even surfaces in less time than hand filing.
	In addition to the 6 inch wheels, the XR abrasives are offered in mounted points and used with a flexible shaft at the bench. The shapes are ideal for finer detail.
3M™ Scotch-Brite Wheels
3M™ Scotch-Brite unitized wheels improve precious metal surface finishing without significantly changing the shape or dimension of the workpiece. They are available in a myriad of sizes and shapes and their applications are suited for light deburring, blending and pre-finishing. They run cool, resist loading and help prevent undercutting while providing consistent, uniform finishes as fresh abrasives are continually exposed to the work surface.
	Shown are a general selection of mounted unitized wheels. They are offered in a variety of shapes, grit and sizes. The top row is a kit of permanently mounted points in a variety of shapes available from Stuller. The center row shows Cut and Polish, General Purpose and EXL unitized Scotch-Brite wheels.
	Using a unitized bullet cone from the Stuller kit, I was able to remove minor surface irregularities from this 14-karat yellow gold earring casting. The small pointed shape allowed me to access the inner circular area without damaging or gouging the outer surface.
	Here I'm using a 3A-very fine 3M™ General Purpose Unitized wheel to smooth and even the top surface of this 14-karat yellow gold ring shank. I was able to evenly smooth the rough casting without significant surface reduction.
3M™ Buff and Polish Wheels
Buff and polish wheels are designed to take the place of felt wheels. They hold more compounds, cut faster and last longer. Their sizes range and they can be used with a flexible shaft at the bench or at a polishing machine.
	Buff and Polish Wheels are made from synthetic fibers and are very durable. This one is 3 by 1 inch and is medium hardness.
	I'm using the 3M™ Buff and Polish wheel with Foredom's Platinum Blue compound to brighten the top flat surfaces of this 14-karat yellow gold ring.

Technical Contributions by Andy Kroungold,

Tool and Equipment Expert from Stuller, Lafayette , LA

Photographs by Mark B. Mann

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