Buffer question

jdm61

jdm61

itinerant metal pounder
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
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I have a 3/4 HP 1750 RPM Baldor buffer that I have owned for a year and never used out of fear. I have a knife that had a 2000 grit finish, but it is a homage to Bill Moran, which means it should, in theory have a buffed mirror finish. Can I go straight to white compound to buff out the tiny 2000 grit scratches or should I hit it with gray first and should I used a loose or sewn wheel?
 
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Joe,

I usually start with white compoubd after a 400-600 grit finish. I may go back and sand some more and then buff againm finishing with a green compound, Liiks very nice.

Don't fear the buffer but always respect it. It really is the most dangerous tool in your shop. Alway buff below center on the wheel, always hold onto the blade for dear life. And don't do anything that will put the point into the wheel. That can be really exciting.

Gene
 
Gene's suggestions are right on. I always went to 600 grit in my jewelry work before buffing. Lock your elbows up at your hips so you create a solid triangle from the knife in your hands to them. I often find myself pivoting at the hips to work the item along the wheel. Stay just below the center of the wheel edge. Lean the top edge (relative to the spinning wheel) away from the wheel just a smidge. That's what can easily get grabbed by the wheel.
 
Don't make the mistake that so many do - buffing is to make things shiny, NOT to remove scratches!
How you might get in trouble is to continue to buff and buff and push and buff and buff, etc, etc, trying to remove scratches. That's how people end up getting hurt with buffers.
In the first place, 200 grit scratches are NOT tiny! Those are HUGE and will never get buffed out.
Remove the 200 grit with 400. Then remove those with 600 or 800. Then remove those with 1200 and maybe go up to 1500, being sure to get out all of the previous sanding marks before going on.
Then buff. You'll have a mirror.
Buffing at 200 grit will only give you shiny scratches.
 
A true 1200 grit finish is so fine its almost a mirror already, and should require very little buffing at all. I'd go right with white....

When you said "tiny 200 grit scratches" was it a typo and should it have read 2000? If it really is at a true 2000 grit finish, it shouldn't take more than a few moments on the buffer to make it a mirror.

***Edited because I sounded like a wicked jerk and opened my mouth before taking the OP's high skill level into consideration, my apologies***
 
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Joe: If it is a true, 2000 grit finish, I would start with the finest compound and see what happens. You can always back down to a coarser compound if the fine compound reveals scratches that need to be taken out.
 
Joe knows the diff between 200 grit and 2000 ;)

1700 rpm is a piece of cake after many years using 3600 rpm :D I only buff ivory and pearl anymore.
 
I'm sure he does, Don.
I'm a little confused now about that first post - it lists both "2000" and "200".
I take a concentrically sewn buff and remove about the first three rows of stitching. This leaves a slight loose effect with firm backing.
I'd use some green followed by no-scratch pink. (Two seperate wheels, of course.)
I hope you post it when you're done!!!
 
If you feel unsure of the buffer try a smaller diameter buffing wheel. BTW, I only use unstiched wheels for fine buffing.
I can't remember the company but there is a good buffing guide out there somewhere. Arco?
Lynn
 
A mirror polish should only take a few minutes to create. If it takes longer than that then the scratches are too deep. Pushing will not help. Pushing is not only dangerous, but it will cause the finish to orange peel.

Finish up at the grinder with a fine micron belt say 9 microns or about 1000 grit.

Install the gray compound wheel, rake it down at speed and apply gray compound. Buff until scratches are gone and a basic mirror polish is achieved.

Remove gray wheel and install the green compound wheel. Rake at speed and add new green compound. Then buff until a nice luster has been achieved.

Repeat with the white fine aluminum oxide compound and use a separate wheel for each buffing compound. Do not mix and match.

If scratches are found during each step. Then Stop, do not pass go and do not collect $200, but go all the way back to the grinder and repeat each buffing step over again. Sorry but this is how it goes with mirror polishes.
 
It is 2000. not 200. I only have gray and white compounds. No green or pink. I have sewn and loose 8 inch wheels and one "medium" sewn 6 incher that I got a Lowes. I have the "spike" spindles on the buffer.
 
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