THO Game Calls Forums

The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Custom Duck Calls => Topic started by: tgraytn on December 10, 2011, 06:23:36 PM

Title: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: tgraytn on December 10, 2011, 06:23:36 PM
Good evening everyone,

As many of you are probably aware from my prior posts in the past, I purchased a Smith Mini Torch quite some time ago and have been trying to perfect my flame polishing method.  My issue has always been that I do not have a very steady hand when trying to insert the torch tip into the barrel, therefore I find myself bumping the inside of the barrel a lot.  When that happens, as you can imagine it will scratch the inside therefore requiring that it be wet sanded all over again.  I have thought long and hard trying to figure out a method of being able to position my torch in a steady mode which will allow me to very methodically insert the torch tip into and out of the barrel with the same cadence without hitting the edges.  Last night it finally came to me.

I headed down to the hobby shop this morning and purchased a piece of model train track and a railroad car.  I then attached the track to a piece of aluminum plate and mounted it to a piece of oak 4x4 to position on my lathe bed.  I then inserted some scrap pieces of metal inside of the car in order to build up the front end of the torch so that it will slide in and out of the barrel at the proper height.  I have not tried it yet with the torch burning, however everything looks promising at this point.  I will give it a shot tomorrow and keep you posted. 

If you have any questions or comments, I will certainly welcome them. 

I have several pictures listed below.  Thanks!  Tom

(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/tgraytn/DSC06791.jpg)
(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/tgraytn/DSC06792.jpg)
(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/tgraytn/DSC06793.jpg)
(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/tgraytn/DSC06794.jpg)
(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/tgraytn/DSC06795.jpg)
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: VECtor Calls on December 10, 2011, 06:36:40 PM
Cool man!  Doesn't have to look pretty if it works!

Looks like some great thinking going on there!

Parker
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: KFB Game Calls on December 10, 2011, 07:20:34 PM
Love it. Only thing that needs done now is remove the recycled steel off the rail car and put your calls name there!

Tony :2up:
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Chris at Owens Custom Calls on December 11, 2011, 12:06:28 PM
i was wondering the other night if you got the issues worked out.  that is the best case of thinking outside the box i have ever seen     :gitrdone:
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: dogcatcher on December 11, 2011, 02:55:04 PM
Good out of the box thinking. 

Another idea is a 12" ball bearing drawer slide, mounted on a block.  Then the torch also mounted to the drawer slide, nice and easy to slide in and out, and the drawer slide doesn't come apart.

Marvin
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: tgraytn on December 11, 2011, 03:24:13 PM
I appreciate everybody's comments and suggestions!  I have attached a photo of a barrel that I just completed and was extremely pleased with the way everything turned out.  The picture does not do this call justice.  I am going to continue to experiment and use the ball bearing drawer slide next... Thanks!  Tom

(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/tgraytn/DSC06805.jpg)
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: VECtor Calls on December 11, 2011, 05:30:37 PM
 :eek:  That looks SMOKIN' HOT MAN!   :eek:

CHOO CHOOOOO!   :rofl:   :punk:

Parker
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Gouldman on December 11, 2011, 05:44:34 PM
 :bigup: Awesome...Looks like you got it figured out.
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: BLKDOGS on December 11, 2011, 07:22:41 PM
All Aboard   :hysterical:   saying way to go !!!!
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Andre's Wood Works aka: TheDecoyDude on December 11, 2011, 07:28:35 PM
Way to go man! I'm telling you, if you look at any random object long enough you can figure out a way to use it pertaining to making calls in some matter. No joke. Freaking sweet call and idea! ~Andre
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: HaMeR on December 12, 2011, 06:32:09 AM
I aint no duck hunter but just like everybody else I sure as heck would like to own that call. I love the color of that!!   :bigup: :bigup:
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Truefire on December 15, 2011, 01:27:37 AM
Dude that is awesome.  Daggone!  Ingenuity at its greatest.  Great idea!  And it obviously works well, great call turnout.

Chris
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Jon @ JRwoods on December 15, 2011, 12:26:47 PM
I will pile on praise for thinking outside the box also!
Sharp looking call. 
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: tgraytn on December 16, 2011, 11:42:55 PM
Thanks again everyone for your comments and suggestions!
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: RhueTalk on December 17, 2011, 10:41:35 PM
I appreciate everybody's comments and suggestions!  I have attached a photo of a barrel that I just completed and was extremely pleased with the way everything turned out.  The picture does not do this call justice.  I am going to continue to experiment and use the ball bearing drawer slide next... Thanks!  Tom

(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/tgraytn/DSC06805.jpg)

Looks like a bourbon and branch - that is killer
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: HaMeR on December 18, 2011, 09:59:59 AM
Aside from the ingenuity & creativity I just gotta ask,, WHY IS YOUR BENCH SOOOO CLEAN???  :hysterical: :hysterical:

You guys make those Acrylics crystal clear every time. Wish I had your patience.
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Truefire on March 31, 2015, 03:41:49 AM
Approximately how fast are you retrieving once inside?  Is there a select speed and flame height or is it like cooking a Brunswick stew--cooking out of the seat of your pants
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: David @ Mad Duck Game Calls on March 31, 2015, 08:27:16 AM
True fire, this post Is from 2011. I do not think the original poster visits the forum anymore so I doubt you will get a response.......
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Moonpiecalls on March 31, 2015, 09:04:09 AM
Mike from C and s has a youtube video on flame polishing that will help you with that question.
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Jeff @ Mutt Calls on March 31, 2015, 09:57:19 AM
I got nothing..... sheer genius and beauty!  Well done! Sorry, extremely well done!
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Truefire on April 01, 2015, 08:19:18 AM
Yeah I realized the post was old but was unaware of the fact that tgray isn't with us any longer. Oh well.
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: David @ Mad Duck Game Calls on April 01, 2015, 08:49:16 AM
Actually, (just checked) he was last on here in 2015. I'm not sure how often he visits though...
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: tgraytn on May 31, 2015, 11:35:28 PM
Yeah I realized the post was old but was unaware of the fact that tgray isn't with us any longer. Oh well.

Truefire,

I am on and off of the forum due to a hectic work life but find time every now and then to stop in.  I've posted the video below so hopefully this will help!

https://youtu.be/3fUxQgGpdFM (https://youtu.be/3fUxQgGpdFM)

Thanks and good luck!  Please post pics of yours after you try it and by the way, if you have any tips please post them as well!!

Tom
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Joe Short on June 01, 2015, 10:40:59 PM
Very cool solution! I'd have used a sliding dovetail or a center mount drawer slide but this is infinitely more awesome.
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Truefire on July 08, 2015, 11:24:24 PM
Thanks Tom, great to see you again.    :beer:  Thanks for the video upload....great stuff.   I do appreciate you taking the time to share.  ~chris
Title: Re: NEW Flame Polishing Method With Pictures
Post by: Scott Ward on December 04, 2015, 10:21:52 AM
Beautiful.  Love the ingenuity using train.