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A useful tool repurposed from an old bur shaft

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<h2 id="h-a-useful-tool-repurposed-from-an-old-bur-shaft">A useful tool repurposed from an old bur shaft</h2>

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In a village of La Mancha, the name of which I have no desire to call to mind, there lived not long since one of those gentlemen that keep a lance in the lance-rack, an old buckler, a lean hack, and a greyhound for coursing.

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I collect and save every piece of tool steel I find at garage sales and flea markets along with any other steel I generate in the studio with the purpose of finding a new use for it. For example, a mini burnisher can be easily created from leftover steel shafts of flexible or rigid abrasive flex-shaft attachments.

I collect and save every piece of tool steel I find at garage sales and flea markets along with any other steel I generate in the studio with the purpose of finding a new use for it. For example, a mini burnisher can be easily created from leftover steel shafts of flexible or rigid abrasive flex-shaft attachments.

<h1><img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_TOP.jpg" alt="top" width="800" height="477"></h1>
To create one, you’ll need an old steel bur shaft; a graver handle of your liking; a large coarse file for steel; an inexpensive pair of pliers (because the rigid abrasive is usually like rock and you don’t want to damage your expensive jewelry pliers); fine, medium, and coarse sanding discs; a steel brush; and Fabulustre polishing compound and textile bob.
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_1.jpg" alt="1" width="350" height="350">
 
1. Any flexible or rigid abrasive attachment for the flex-shaft or Dremel tool will eventually yield a 3/32-inch steel shaft to repurpose into this burnisher.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_2.jpg" alt="2" width="350" height="350">
2. Use the pliers to crush off and remove any lingering abrasive from the bur and get it down to the steel.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_3.jpg" alt="3" width="350" height="350">
3. Saw off the tip of the bur shaft to remove any pronounced ridges or grooves in the steel.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_4.jpg" alt="4" width="350" height="350">
4. Use the large coarse file to shape the tip of the steel shaft into a gentle point.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_5.jpg" alt="5" width="350" height="350">
5. Once the burnisher is symmetrical, round off the tip and progressively sand it with 250, 400, and 600 grit abrasive papers to remove any flat areas and create a smooth and even surface. Finish the tool using a steel brush and then polish it to a high shine with Fabulustre compound on a hard felt bob.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_6.jpg" alt="6" width="350" height="350">
6. If desired, heat the steel with the torch and insert the new burnisher into a wooden graver handle, or simply insert it into an adjustable pin vise to use it. I use my burnisher on the inside edge of flush settings and all around the outside of bezels. Always keep any steel burnisher polished to a high shine and protect the point with a cork during storage.

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<h1><img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_TOP.jpg" alt="top" width="800" height="477" /></h1>
To create one, you’ll need an old steel bur shaft; a graver handle of your liking; a large coarse file for steel; an inexpensive pair of pliers (because the rigid abrasive is usually like rock and you don’t want to damage your expensive jewelry pliers); fine, medium, and coarse sanding discs; a steel brush; and Fabulustre polishing compound and textile bob.
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_1.jpg" alt="1" width="350" height="350" />
 
1. Any flexible or rigid abrasive attachment for the flex-shaft or Dremel tool will eventually yield a 3/32-inch steel shaft to repurpose into this burnisher.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_2.jpg" alt="2" width="350" height="350" />
2. Use the pliers to crush off and remove any lingering abrasive from the bur and get it down to the steel.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_3.jpg" alt="3" width="350" height="350" />
3. Saw off the tip of the bur shaft to remove any pronounced ridges or grooves in the steel.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_4.jpg" alt="4" width="350" height="350" />
4. Use the large coarse file to shape the tip of the steel shaft into a gentle point.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_5.jpg" alt="5" width="350" height="350" />
5. Once the burnisher is symmetrical, round off the tip and progressively sand it with 250, 400, and 600 grit abrasive papers to remove any flat areas and create a smooth and even surface. Finish the tool using a steel brush and then polish it to a high shine with Fabulustre compound on a hard felt bob.
 
<img src="https://mjsa-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2018_MJSA_Journal/August_2018_images/ATB_Driggs0818_6.jpg" alt="6" width="350" height="350" />
6. If desired, heat the steel with the torch and insert the new burnisher into a wooden graver handle, or simply insert it into an adjustable pin vise to use it. I use my burnisher on the inside edge of flush settings and all around the outside of bezels. Always keep any steel burnisher polished to a high shine and protect the point with a cork during storage.

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A useful tool repurposed from an old bur shaft

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