Changes

**<u>Note:</u> It seems that the color of the nail buffs signifies how fine or coarse the buff is.  So if you cannot find the exact nail buffs that I used, just try to match the color of each and you should be fine.

**<u>Note:</u> It seems that the color of the nail buffs signifies how fine or coarse the buff is.  So if you cannot find the exact nail buffs that I used, just try to match the color of each and you should be fine.

* Using the emery board is a bit tricky and needs special care.  Gently grind down the end of the fiber with the board, do not push too hard or to soft.  The strokes should be at a steady pace but not too fast or to slow  (if you consider the up and down motion as one complete cycle the speed should be around 1 revolution per second).  I know that these direction are a little obscure, so the best way to figure out just how fast and how much pressure to apply is to use a scrap fiber and practice for yourself.  The reason why you do not want to go too fast or apply too much pressure is that it could (and most likely will) result in stripping the outer cladding around the fiber.  After the fiber is polished down with the emery board, it is best to remove it from the apparatus and inspect it for major breaks in the outer cladding. This process should take about 30 seconds depending on how much you need to shave off.

* Using the emery board is a bit tricky and needs special care.  Gently grind down the end of the fiber with the board, do not push too hard or to soft.  The strokes should be at a steady pace but not too fast or to slow. Considering one up and one down stroke as one complete cycle, the speed should be around 1 revolution per second.  I know that these directions are a little obscure, so the best way to figure out just how fast and how much pressure to apply is to use a scrap fiber and practice for yourself.  The reason that you do not want to go too fast or apply too much pressure is that excessive grinding speed or pressure results in stripping the outer cladding around the fiber.  After the fiber is polished down with the emery board, it is best to remove it from the apparatus and inspect it for major breaks in the outer cladding. The initial grinding process should take about 30 seconds depending on how much you need to shave off.

* Use the nail buffs on the fiber in the order of Black, White, Gray (I used 3 different ones because they came in a set, but if you just use the first (black) and last(gray) i think you should be fine).  With these you do not have to be as cautious as you did with the emery boards but still some care needs to be taken. Basically follow the same process as for the emery board.  When you feel, through the buff, the fiber become smooth, it is time to switch to the next buff.  Be sure not to over polish the fiber or round off the ends. If the ends are rounded, the epoxy will not adhere properly to the fiber.

* Use the nail buffs on the fiber in the order of Black, White, Gray.  I used 3 different ones because they came in a set, but if you just use the first (black) and last(gray) I think you should be fine.  With these you do not have to be as cautious as with the emery boards, but still some care needs to be taken. Basically follow the same instructions as for the emery board.  When you feel, through the buff, the fiber become smooth, it is time to switch to the next buff.  Be sure not to over polish the fiber because it will result in rounded-off ends. If the ends are rounded, the epoxy will not adhere properly to the fiber.

* Here are pictures of what the fiber should look like after each step [[Fiber Pictures]]

* Here are pictures of what the fiber should look like after each step [[Fiber Pictures]]