Method and apparatus for magnetic float polishing

A method of polishing workpieces in a magnetic float polishing chamber, said magnetic float polishing chamber comprising a lower chamber piece and an upper chamber piece which is removably receivable in said lower chamber piece, said upper chamber piece having a contacting surface for contacting said workpieces, and said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) performing a first polishing stage wherein said workpieces are polished in said lower chamber piece in the presence of a first abrasive material by rotating said upper chamber piece in said lower chamber piece, said first polishing stage comprising a plurality of first stage polishing runs using said first abrasive material and
• (b) performing a second polishing stage wherein said workpieces are further polished in said lower chamber piece in the presence of a second abrasive material by rotating said upper chamber piece in said lower chamber piece, said second abrasive material being less coarse than said first abrasive material,
• wherein said method further comprises the step, after at least one of said first stage polishing runs, of removing a groove from said contacting surface prior to beginning a subsequent one of said first stage polishing runs.

A method of polishing workpieces in a magnetic float polishing chamber, said magnetic float polishing chamber comprising a lower chamber piece and an upper chamber piece which is removably receivable in said lower chamber piece and said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) polishing said workpieces in said lower chamber piece by rotating said upper chamber piece in said lower chamber piece and
• (b) prior to step (a), mounting said lower chamber piece beneath said upper chamber piece in a manner effective for causing said lower chamber piece to automatically self-align coaxially with said upper chamber piece during step (a),
• wherein said step of mounting comprises retaining said lower chamber piece using a segment of cord attached to said lower chamber piece at two opposite locations in a manner such that said segment of cord exerts equal and opposite forces on said lower chamber piece at said two opposite locations.