Buffer Accidents: User Error or Unavoidable?

[Living The Dream]

Like most of us here, I've learned though experience, some of them not pleasant. I still use the big buffer for large surfaces, but when doing small pieces like guards and ferrels I have started using the below hand held buffer. Just cut squares from old levi material and mount on a screw mandrel. It performs really well and there are no sudden accidents. Matter of fact it does a better job than the big model by working inside curves an the like.

Its just an x. what kinda buffer Fred?

 

[Bufford]

The buffer is unforgiving and requires total focus by the operator. If not then do not buff until you can or it will lead to an accident. Its not a machine to fear, rather it requires respect, fear will only lead to an accident.

Using vise grips is asking for an accident to happen. There is no way vise grips will hold your work should you get into a situation where your work gets pulled by the wheel, doing so will lead to flying knives. I hold my blades in my hand and have a firm grip on them at all times while paying attention to where my work is on the wheel at all times. My thoughts remain totally engaged with the buffer, no drifting off thinking about other things. When buffing you need to put all of your CPU between your ears to use while you work. Doing so I still have all my digits since I first stood in front of the buffer back in the 1980's.

 

[kuraki]

Its just an x. what kinda buffer Fred?

He's talking about a dremel with denim on a threaded point.

 

[LARRYZ10]

I would like to clarify my remarks. I use vise grips and gloves to buff the front edge of bolters and guards that are going to be high polished BEFORE they are attached to my blades. Trying to hold the front edges of two bolsters that are only 3/4 wide and 1 inch long by hand is far more difficult than using vise grips and gloves. I use a tightly wound spiral wheel for this at 1725 rpm and I super glue the two bolsters together before clamping them in the vise grips. Larry