Buffer got me....

G

godogs57

Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
795
I have always heard that the buffer is the most dangerous tool in our respective shops...other than the occasional manicure with the 36 grit belt, I agree. The attached pic shows the results of my loose wheel grabbing a finished Bowie and beating my poor palm to death. Before I could instinctively back away...whap, whap whap...it grabbed the blade and carried it around the buffing wheel, slapping my palm 3 times in the same place, which shows exactly how fast this can happen. If you can see the pic (gosh I hope I can figure out how to post a pic), you can clearly see that it was the clip point of the blade that got me...and you can tell I have the reflexes of a slug, as I apparently didn't move too awfully fast. No blood since it was the side of the blade that got me, but is stung pretty badly, and was numb for three days. I decided to take a pic to remind me to "think" each time I flip the on switch.

Everyone have a great day,

Hank
Bowiehand.jpg
 
glad that numb is all you got
i hyad a gut hook hunter pulled from my hands once a few years ago but luck for me it left the area and chiped the concrete and kept going away from me
 
Glad to hear all you got was a slap on the wrist! :p

Seriously though, this is an excellent reminder of just how fast a buffer can ruin your day. I mean, you got hit 3 times before you could get away? That's amazing, and I'm really glad that you only got the side of the blade.

Be safe and thanks for the reminder!

-d
 
You know, I'm always looking to find a safer way...especially as I get older and realize I'm not bullet proof.

I put on a 10" sewn wheel on a 1750 RPM motor with an arbor. I mounted it hanging over my bench. I also watch to make sure I'm only using the bottom third of the wheel. I wear a full face shield. Anything else I should do?

Gloves? Leather apron? Stand to one side?
 
I've decided that there is no place in my shop for a buffer. I have the room, but just don't think it's worth the risk. I've never had one get me, but I've seen it happen to other people when I worked in the steel mills.
 
Bodfish,get yourself a felt wheel. They are a lot less grabby then the sewn wheels and are many times safer then the loose wheels. Avoid the temptation to buff the whole blade at once. Do from the edge to 3/4 of the way to the spine then flip it over and do the rest.
 
I got some felt wheels and they are great. Polish faster too I think. I also have some hard sewn cloth wheels. You have to be more careful with the felt as they seem to heat stuff up faster. They can scorch a piece of wood quick. A few decades ago I used to do lapidary in HS and we used felt wheels with rouge and water dripping on them to polish stones. Has anyone tried this with metal before I make another mess experimenting with that.
 
I like hand-rubbed finishes for various reasons. Somewhat like scottickes said, I have no intention of buying a buffer.

I'm very glad you didn't get hurt badly, godogs57.

Like the sarge from Hill Street Blues used to say, "Let's be careful out there."
 
Go buy a loto ticket, you are a lucky man if you spilled no blood at the buffer!!

Yes they are mean machines at best. I have developed a good relationship with my buffer which means giving it respect.

I will only buff, if I can give it my full attention span. I think about nothing else other than where my knife and hands are in relation to the raging spinning cloth wheel. How much pressure I am applying- and that's not too much. It is better to add more buffing compound than to push down which can create the dangerous moment when the wheel can grab the blade at worst or simply cause orange peel problems with the finish.

If I feel rushed, tired or angry I do not go near the buffer, and choose to do something else. An accident can ruin your piece, or at worst ruin your day and make you a customer at the hospital.
 
Man, you are lucky. :eek:


I am using some kind of liquid polishihg paste on sewn wheel (1980RPM) and in a time a hard, greasy surface appears on the wheel. It became realy easy to buff after that. And it stoped grabbing the blade off my hands.


http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm Buffing tutors on site.
No, they didn't pay me for commercial.:D just a wonderful site for beginers like me.
 
GibsonFan said:
I like hand-rubbed finishes for various reasons. Somewhat like scottickes said, I have no intention of buying a buffer.

I'm very glad you didn't get hurt badly, godogs57.

Like the sarge from Hill Street Blues used to say, "Let's be careful out there."
Click to expand...

I like how you took a lead from my screen name and put my first and last names together. Just in case anyone wants to know how to pronounce my name it rhymes with Sparticus, as in, "I'mmmmmmmm Sparticus!"

So, I'mmmmmm ScottIckes! But ya'll can call me "Ickie"!

I'm very glad to find out that I'm not the only buffer sissy on this forum!

Scott (Ickie) Ickes
 
Well, I couldn't remember if you were Scot Tickes, Scott Ickes or what, so I just typed it like your user name :foot:

I prefer to think of myself as pragmatic, not a sissy :D I'm barely qualified to operate a Dremel or belt sander.

Seriously, Bufford's good advice about safety applies to every power tool. Even I limit my beer intake and don't work with machines when I'm hungry/angry/lonely/tired (HALT!). I have the woman and kids trained to blink the stairway light on and off to get my attention when I'm in the (basement)shop, NOT to sneak up on me when I'm bent over the grinder. Stuff can just happen way too fast if your mind wanders for a second. A couple recent threads here remind us of that!
 
I put on a 10" sewn wheel on a 1750 RPM motor with an arbor. I mounted it hanging over my bench. I also watch to make sure I'm only using the bottom third of the wheel. I wear a full face shield. Anything else I should do?

Gloves? Leather apron? Stand to one side?[/QUOTE]

i like the slower speed buffers
if u cant buff out the scratches at 1750 then 3000 rps ant going to take them out either
just smear them and then all u got is shiney scratches
harley
slow buff possum
 
You are a lucky Man to be standing there to day telling about that. Thank God that's all you got. Be safe and check thing out more before you start working. ------------:D
 
Hey GoDogs!

Man....didn't you never read Mr. Fowler's article on how yer buffer is your trusted and respected partner in the shop? You gotta make friends with it...and remember it ain't trying to kill you...much.

Honestly...I hate to correct you....

The buffer is the third...or maybe the fourth most dangerous thing in the shop....

4th) Buffer....:yawn:

3rd) Girlfriend/Spouse:o

2nd) telephone:mad:

1st) Most dangerous thing in the shop.... A lit cigar.;)

And that is all I have to say about that....

Stay away from them buffers...man, they bite!

One time...I shot a blade through a galvanized steel garbage can once...(If I remeber)that was off a 10 inch X 2 inch hard wheel...running at 3450 on a Baldor 1 horse....Man....it went ...KA-CHUNK! AND I was standing there wondering what part of my body made that sounds when pierced by a sliver of flying metal...I nearly soiled myself....even after I realized I was OK...

Take care...

Shane
 
man..........that reminds me why I aint gonna buff NUTHIN'
Glad your okay:thumbup:
 
Hmm.

Every time I visit this forum, I learn something new and interesting. And this time, quite important.
 
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