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Thread: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

  1. #1
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    Default Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    I recently traded for a TD 50. Perfect size, feel and heft for my thing. I use the shoulder, one of which is a bit rough, with a burr causing scratchy tone. What do y'all suggest to smooth out the rough edge?

  2. #2
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    I don't know about Blue Chip picks, but to reshape the tips of picks and bring them to a very smooth surface,I use something very much like this,available in many drug stores or big box stores like WalMart:

    https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Finge...00868BNUY?th=1
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Strange, I wonder what the previous owner did to chew the corner, Blue Chips are smooth everywhere. A fine nail file would be only a brief starting point, unless you're looking to alter the bevel. What you need is an assortment of very fine auto paper or micro mesh- 800, 1200, 2000 grit. Quite expensive route to smooth the edge of a pick. Find someone who already has these so you can bum a small strip of each

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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul Busman View Post
    I don't know about Blue Chip picks, but to reshape the tips of picks and bring them to a very smooth surface,I use something very much like this,available in many drug stores or big box stores like WalMart:

    https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Finge...00868BNUY?th=1
    These work. 2 side - 4 grits. One side to shape it and the fine side will polish to glass-like surface

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Emery cloth will do the job. If there is an ACE hardware near you can buy a single sheet or three. The wet sanding black in color extra fine grit will likely polish the edge.
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Alan, If you know anyone who does silver or lapidary work they should be set up to fix this in about 5 seconds. Trade them a tune. Jim

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    Registered User Rick Jones's Avatar
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Some years ago I bought a pack of super-fine fabric sandpaper at the auto parts store. They aren't big - probably 3 x 5 or something like that - but 800, 1600, 2400, 3600 grits. I've used them for putting bevels on the Dunlop 208 picks I used for years. My final step is to strop them on the back side of my leather belt, which removes any fine scratches left by the different grits.
    All my life I wanted to be somebody, now I realize I should have been more specific.

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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Thanks for the ideas. I wound up getting one of those multi-sided emery boards the wimmin folk use, we'll see if that does it.

  11. #9
    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Another thing you can do is send it to Blue Chip and they will fix it right up for you. They are so customer service oriented.

    Billy

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    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Quote Originally Posted by AlanN View Post
    Thanks for the ideas. I wound up getting one of those multi-sided emery boards the wimmin folk use, we'll see if that does it.
    The grits on the one I posted go from 240 to 3000 which is plenty fine enough.
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

  13. #11
    Registered User wildpikr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Quote Originally Posted by AlanN View Post
    Thanks for the ideas. I wound up getting one of those multi-sided emery boards the wimmin folk use, we'll see if that does it.
    Mike

    Those who think they should think, like they think others think they should think, need to think out their thinking, I think.

    No envejecemos, maduramos. -Pablo Picasso

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  15. #12
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Ah, thanks for the jostle...Yes, the multi-sided emery board did the trick on the Blue Chip pick, so now my licks don't stick...

  16. #13
    Registered User Drew Egerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    And your nails will be beautiful at Bibey camp this year
    Drew
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  17. #14

    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Jones View Post
    My final step is to strop them on the back side of my leather belt, which removes any fine scratches left by the different grits.
    "Strop" is a term I haven't heard in a lot of years. The "practitioner of the tonsorial arts" I went to at my father's command to get my haircut had a leather strap attached to each of the 3 barber's chairs in his shop. They were for the guys getting a shave with a straight-edge blade which I never did partake in. Too close for my liking

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Now there's a lost art: getting a shave at the barber shop. Funny, that appeals to me not one little bit.

  19. #16

    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    I second Billy Packard's post. I've had picks repolished by BC several times and they come back like new.
    I've tried to fix mine myself, but they do a 'way better job! YMMV!

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    Default Re: Smoothing out a Blue Chip

    Quote Originally Posted by bgpete View Post
    I second Billy Packard's post. I've had picks repolished by BC several times and they come back like new.
    I've tried to fix mine myself, but they do a 'way better job! YMMV!
    How does that work? Do they charge a fee?

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