CHAPTER V
STONING
After a piece of enamel has been fired, it is often found that too much enamel has been used, that is, that the enamel may have run over the edge of the part to be enameled, or it may not present a smooth surface but instead consist of a series of humps, or, especially in the case of transparent enamels, it may be on in such layers that the color is deepened or even lost entirely.
This can be remedied by what is known as “stoning,” or filing the enamel down to a smooth surface. In the case of work that is to be polished it is always considered best to overcharge the piece and then file it smooth rather than to try to “flush” it evenly.
Stoning is usually done by means of emery “stones” or “sticks,” which are made by mixing powdered emery with shellac and heating the same until the mixture coheres, when it may be pressed into any shape desired by means of a flat piece of steel. On cooling the stones become very hard. They are generally from six to twelve inches long and from three-eighths to one inch square, tapering at both ends to a rather blunt point. When a stone wears out or loses its shape it can be remelted and remodeled. The emery used in these sticks runs from No. 70 to No. 180 grit.
Fig. 6. Firing.
Carborundum stones are often used in place of emery stones. They are rather more expensive than emery stones and wear out quicker, but they cut the work down much faster. No. 120 and No. 180 grits are the most satisfactory. These stones sometimes get filled up with metal, but in this case the metal can be eaten out with acid.
It is convenient when stoning to hold the piece to be stoned on a small block of wood, on which a mold of shellac has been made into which mold the piece of work will snugly fit. If the block is then set on a pivot either on a bench or bench-pin, so that it will turn easily, it will then be found that the stoning process has been made considerably easier. A piece of hard felt or leather or just a plain piece of wood will, however, answer the purpose. The idea is simply to hold the piece firmly and conveniently.
The stone should now be rubbed back and forth across the enamel as a file is used. It is necessary when stoning to keep both the stone and the piece to be stoned quite wet. A bowl full of water kept near by will be found very convenient for the purpose. Care must be taken not to make any deep scratches on the metallic parts of the piece, as these scratches cannot easily be obliterated.
The stoning should be continued until the surface is smooth or level with the edges, or until in champlevé and cloisonné enamel the metal parts all show evenly, or until the desired depths of color are obtained in the case of transparent enamels. This of course can only be judged by experience, as the colors will look much brighter when fired again.