Burnishing equipment and related burnishing tools sandblast and add smooth surface finishes or glosses to metal workspaces and parts. Burnishing involves a process called cold working, or cold rolling, that makes the metal smooth without accidentally removing it through wear and tear. Burnishing equipment also helps with sizing applications that improve dimension accuracy of industrial surfaces. Burnishing tools finish equipment and parts that must be turned, bored, reamed or grounded, while full-scale burnishing machines perform multiple functions, including ball burnishing, tool polishing and metal finishing.

Different types of burnishing tools exist for metal finishing operations. These include roller burnishing tools, which perform cold working of metal design surfaces, and external taper shaft burnishing tools, which generate tapered shafts used on work materials. Burnishing equipment features retaining cages with hardened, tapered rolls that house burnishing tools. Metal parts are placed in the cage; then the equipment rotates while the tools apply pressure to the parts to achieve smooth, mirror-like finishes. Industrial operations require burnishing tools for use with valve rods, fan rotor shafts, motor end covers, brake cylinders and more.

1. Buy burnishing machines from certified burnishing equipment manufacturers.

2. Locate services from burnishing equipment distributors.

3. Find other accessories from burnishing equipment suppliers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop for burnishing machines supplied by burnishing equipment manufacturers

Find burnishing tools for sale that meet the appropriate specifications for working with projects.

I recommend: Sugino manufactures ISO-certified roller burnishing tools for flat, tapered and angular machine surfaces. Cogsdill Tool Products produces burnishing tools and machines, boring tools and precision reaming systems. CS Unitec also provides burnishing tools for sale.

Find burnishing equipment distributors that are also service-oriented

Look for burnishing equipment distributors or manufacturers that offer tooling, packaging, repair or other special services.

I recommend: Ohio Broach & Machine offers burnishing tools for the automotive, metalworking and manufacturing industries. Sharpening services are also available. Burnishing equipment manufacturer AmeriStar Manufacturing provides polishing and tool and die making services. Burnishing equipment distributor Southwest Tool Services offers technical support and certified tooling services.

Buy burnishing tools and any additional accessories

Accessories or other components may be needed to complete burnishing tool operations.

I recommend: Finishing Associates supplies burnishing tools and materials for polishing and surface improvement. PSM Industries manufactures carbide, solid and cold heating materials for burnishing tools. Able Engravers distributes burnishing tools and accessories such as adapters.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Burnishing tool diameter sizes range from 5 millimeters to 26 millimeters. Burnishing equipment must also meet ISO and other industry standards.
• •  Burnishing equipment improves the quality of metal parts, protects against corrosion and increases the life of the materials. Special metal media or a non-abrasive solution called sintered bauxite help to enhance the finishing process.