Originally Posted By: Springbear@rainshadow1 Having no developed skills in the craft at this point these two sets would be for learning the art of polishing from tip to base. I have no plans for them beyond the polishing. I think a polished horn is "a thing of beauty" all on it's own. I want that mirrored glass finish. Feel free to explain the flaw in my thinking as I will take it as added help. I do have the cores removed. Thanks in advance....
So if I'm reading you right, an antler or horn, simply polished and displayed for it's own sake. Yes?
You're talking buffing. Sorry, but it's true.
Keep the sandpaper away unless you're going to take all the provenance and character out of the horn surface. Which is cool, I prefer it, actually, but that's your choice.
With sanding, start around 100, lengthwise along the piece. Only take off as much as you want, you decide the "natural" stuff you're going to leave in it. Go to 150. 220. 400. 600. 1000. Then you're ready to polish.
Without sanding, well.... you're ready to polish.
You can get a buffing wheel, mount it on an arbor, and put it in a drill clamped in a vice. Or a spindle mounted on your lathe. Or any number of other ways to get a buffing wheel to spin. Or you can just use your dremel, but it's going to take for- ev- er.
If you use a larger buffing wheel, practice. It's actually a dangerous tool. It grabs stuff and throws it. Work in the middle of the wheel and downward. Never above. Don't burn, but work it hard.
There's a huge variety of buffing wheels and compounds, and a huge volume of opinions and etc about them.
For horn or antler if you just have a medium wheel and white (zinc oxide) compound, you're going to get a good result.
If you go more elaborate than that, get 3: a heavy buffing wheel with a heavier compound, the medium and ZO, and a soft buff with carnuba wax. You don't need a dozen wheels and compounds.... like I have...
Take your time. Get a dust mask and just spend a half hour or more on each wheel. Take your time, and demand a great result. If you're using a dremel, get a screen and several movies, you're going to be there a LONG time!