Repairing a chip in rim of crystal goblet

[Knurl]

Pictured is a valuable Waterford crystal goblet with a small chip in the rim.

Note that the chip is on the inner surface of the rim and has not affected the "line" of the rim.

I have a Dremmel with diamond grinding bit but wondered if anyone can advise how to slowly and gently grind and polish the chip away (without destroying the cup).

Obviously it will always be detectable to the mouth but I want it to be usable and safe from cutting anyone's lip.

How good a job could I do...and how?

[Groggy]

I'd be reluctant to use a machine on it (in case it made it worse) and would probably hand sand it since it is so small. Asking a jeweler might reap a tip or two also.

[DavidG]

One of those little, round, hand held, diamond sharpening rods may be the way to go.
Just a very gentle rub to remove the edges.

[Ashore]

Dave a fine diamond hone will do the job these are about 150mm or 6" long
They are also great for touching up router bits
Rgds

[cellist]

Hi Knurl...

I have always burnished chips out of drinking glasses with extremely fine grit emery paper (wet and dry...1200 grit). However, I've never tried it on lead crystal. I'd be inclined to suggest that you go to a jeweller- one who does custom engraving- if you're not game to give it a rub. I agree wholeheartedly with Groggy-no machines....at least, not if your not a professional engraver.

Hope that helps.

Michael

[Iain]

How about contacting Waterford for advice, I had a Stuart Crystal glass custom made to replace a broken one in a set, not cheap but they will do a one off if required.
http://www.waterford.ie/default_flash.asp
Look at Crystal care...

[Daddles]

Chuck it at the cat. It won't improve the chip but think of the feeling of satisfaction

Richard
(I'd be taking the goblet to a jeweller before doing anything)

[Termite]

Play at being a Russian, fill it up with Vodka, chug it down, throw glass at fireplace.

[ozwinner]

No no no youse lot.
Pm me you address and I will send out some silicone carbide grits and polishing compound to suit.

For small chips only.

You will need.....
A piece of glass and water.
Start with the courses grit.
Put the grit on the glass with some water and some detergent.
Rub the affected area on the glass until the chip has gone.

The course grit will get rid of the chip, now you need to get rid of the grit marks.

Work throught the grit grades until the scratches are gone.

Next use the polish compound until it is polished.

All stages are done by hand in a figure 8 pattern on the glass.

Easy....

Al

[ozwinner]

Ok....
I just looked the piccy.

Forget it.

Al

[Knurl]

The chip is very small...only 5mm wide on the rim and 3mm down. As the photo shows it's reasonably shallow (say 1mm).


Thank you for the various advice. The piccies of the grinding compounds are too littel to read. Can you post the details and where these can be found.

I'm willing to try some slow abrasive compounds before I put the Dremmel anywhere near the glass.

I guess I'm a tightwad and don't want to pay $300+ to get Waterford to repair it down in Co. Cork, nor my jeweler for about half that! I feel that surely I can at least smoothe it out if I can't make it dissappear completely.

[Groggy]

One thing that may work is a small felt wheel with some green compound mounted in a drill press. Spin slowly on the edge of the wheel running the contact from the inside to the outside. Be careful not to grip too tightly to the stem, it may snap off.

[ozwinner]

Futher to my lapidary advice above, for a small but deep chip I would use a damp cloth with the grit in it.
You wouldnt wont to get too carried away though, or you will scratch more area than is necessary.
This will result in MORE work, which is what you want to try to avoid at all costs.

This job is very achivable, given time and patience.
Im not saying you wont see any remains of the chip, but you can almost eliminate it.

I will try to get the grits away in the next few days David.

Al

[ozwinner]

As helpful as the other posters are, I wouldnt use any mechanical means what so ever to do this.
You will have a bad result if you do..

If you have any problems when you get the grits ( maw, where me grits ) just post here.
I have have had numerous years polishing rocks, the last lot I did were all faceted.

Just for interest....
Here are a few Ive done, ranging from opal to sapphire.


Al

[Groggy]

As helpful as the other posters are, I wouldnt use any mechanical means what so ever to do this.
You will have a bad result if you do..

Initially I recommended against using a machine too, but thought gentle use on a felt wheel would be ok. I should have stuck to my original instincts I guess.