Here’s a TESDA-aligned, hands-on module on sanding and sequential grit polishing for agarwood beads, suitable for workshop manuals, learner guides, and UTPRAS program documentation.
✨ Sanding and Sequential Grit Polishing of Agarwood Beads
1. Objective
Trainees will learn to:
- Smooth and refine agarwood beads to professional quality
- Apply sequential sanding and polishing techniques
- Maintain bead symmetry, resin integrity, and natural aroma
- Prepare beads for finishing, stringing, and sale
2. Tools and Materials
| Tool / Material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sandpaper (various grits: 180, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000+) | Progressive smoothing of bead surfaces |
| Sanding blocks or dowels | Maintain roundness and even sanding |
| Micro-files / needle files | Fine correction for small defects |
| Polishing cloths (cotton, microfiber) | Final surface refinement |
| Natural wax or oil (optional) | Enhance surface shine and aroma |
| Lathe / rotary tool with sanding attachments (optional) | Uniform sanding for multiple beads |
| Calipers / bead templates | Ensure diameter consistency |
| Dust mask, gloves, goggles | Protect from fine resin dust |
3. Safety Guidelines
- Wear PPE (dust mask, goggles, gloves)
- Ensure proper ventilation to avoid inhaling fine dust
- Secure beads on sanding blocks or lathe before polishing
- Avoid excessive pressure to prevent cracking resin-rich beads
- Keep workspace clean to minimize dust accumulation
4. Sequential Sanding Procedure
- Inspect beads for cracks, rough spots, or drill imperfections
- Begin with coarse grit (180–320) to remove major surface irregularities
- Progressively move to medium grit (400–600) for finer smoothing
- Finish with fine grit (800–1000+) to achieve a uniform, smooth surface
- Rotate beads consistently to maintain roundness and symmetry
- Check bead surface by touch; smoothness should feel even without rough patches
Tip: Wet sanding (using a damp cloth or water) can reduce dust and highlight imperfections for high-resin beads.
5. Polishing Techniques
- Use microfiber or cotton cloths to polish beads gently
- Apply natural wax or carrier oil sparingly to enhance shine and aroma
- Buff beads in circular motions, following grain patterns
- For multiple beads, consider lathe-mounted polishing pads for uniform results
6. TESDA-Aligned Learning Outcomes
After this module, trainees should be able to:
- Apply progressive grit sanding for professional bead finishing
- Maintain roundness and symmetry during sanding
- Use polishing cloths or lathe attachments for smooth, shiny surfaces
- Enhance natural aroma and tactile quality without damaging resin
- Evaluate bead quality before final assembly or stringing
7. Practical Workshop Activity
- Trainees receive shaped and drilled beads
- Perform sequential sanding: coarse → medium → fine → super fine
- Apply polishing using cloths or optional wax/oil
- Instructor evaluates surface smoothness, uniformity, aroma preservation, and safety compliance
- Trainees record bead before-and-after condition for portfolio assessment
8. Tips for Consistent Quality
- Always rotate beads evenly during sanding and polishing
- Avoid over-sanding resin-rich areas; preserve aroma and color
- Use consistent grit progression; skipping grits can leave scratches
- Maintain workbench and tools free of abrasive contamination
If you want, I can draft the final module: stringing, assembly, and final finishing of agarwood bead jewelry, with TESDA-aligned assessment rubrics and competency checklists, so your full end-to-end bead crafting curriculum is complete.
Do you want me to do that next?