higgins
12-05-2017, 08:06 PM
I want to try firelapping, and I like to use what I have on hand if at all possible. I already have a selection of Clover abrasive grease of suitable grits on hand and the appropriate bullets. I didn't have a couple of pieces of smooth steel or glass to roll the bullets with. I was looking around the workbench and toolbox, and I saw the smooth putty knife in the tool box. I knew I had a larger one so I dug it out and made the device in the photo.
I set the large putty knife so the handle butts against the edge of the 2x4, so the two screws secure the large one in place. I put the abrasive grease on the large blade and use the small one to roll the bullets. the springiness of the small knife makes it easy to roll the bullets, and allows putting pressure on them to embed the grit. This is the only way I've tried it, but I can't imagine another process producing less mess. Since the "roller" has a handle on it there is no need for multiple bullets to be rolled at the same time to keep from dragging the roller in the grease. I haven't fired the bullets yet but they looked OK.
I set the large putty knife so the handle butts against the edge of the 2x4, so the two screws secure the large one in place. I put the abrasive grease on the large blade and use the small one to roll the bullets. the springiness of the small knife makes it easy to roll the bullets, and allows putting pressure on them to embed the grit. This is the only way I've tried it, but I can't imagine another process producing less mess. Since the "roller" has a handle on it there is no need for multiple bullets to be rolled at the same time to keep from dragging the roller in the grease. I haven't fired the bullets yet but they looked OK.