Topic: Polishing tappet covers?

[lone*X]

Guess everyone get to ask one dumb question, right?  Any one got a simple method of mounting or holding the tappet covers while running them against the polishing wheel?  There just isn't anything to hold on to.  Got two full sets that aren't dinked up but cruddy as all get out.  Any ideas? 

[Roach]

put on some thick leather gloves and hold on tight. do small areas till it is done.

[few-regrets]

Dunno how anybody else does it but I polish them while they're screwed into the cam cover. Then take 'em off and do the edges (which are easily held in your hand).

[greenjeans]

I use mechanics gloves.  The ones with the thin leather palms.    Go very slow and keep a good hold on them.   Polish a little portion at a time
Doesn't take long at all.    I'd think any tool might dent, bend or crack them.   They are pretty thin.

Keep a solid hold on them - If the buffing wheel catches them, it will spit them onto the floor with a force big enough to break 'em.

[wrenchmuch]

+1 on mounting them in the cover . It sucks when you are almost done and the buffer spits it across the room putting nice nicks in it .

[Tom in Newcastle......Ontario]

Take a block of wood 2 x2 x 6-8.........drill a hole (hole saw,auger bit,spade bit) slightly smaller,then thread the cap into the hole,until the lip is flush

when on the buffer remember to keep the wheel on the left side as much as possible to prevent un screwing.

I did a whole bunch of them,and did not end up with bloody fingers

[CycleRanger]

I used one of these. (slightly smaller)
I clamped to the threads and was able to the polish the whole cover without removing the clamp.
The rubber tips prevented any damage to the threads.
AND wear gloves!

[lone*X]

Thanks guys, the wood block and the clamp are both things to try.  I'm ham fisted so gloves and just holding them doesn't work for me and the rocker cover has already been painted so I don't want to mess it up.  Now if I can just find that dang adjustable wood bits hiding place......