This section is from the book "Cassell's Cyclopaedia Of Mechanics", by Paul N. Hasluck. Also available from Amazon: Cassell's Cyclopaedia Of Mechanics.
To get a perfectly smooth surface on glass balls direct from the moulds, remove the outer hard skin of glass by revolving the balls with a little flue emery powder and "water; after that they will grind themselves smooth. If a polished surface is required, the balls will have to be revolved with plenty of dry rouge, colcothar, putty powder, or other rather soft polishing powder quite free from grit.
 
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