Buffer Wheel Safety Concern

D

Dennis Paish

Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
302
I have read many references to buffer wheel safety, and that the buffer wheel is the most dangerous equipment in the shop. Please explain before I engage polishing something which can potentially cause injury to myself.

Is there any benefit having variable speed on a buffer wheel? Would it be safer?

All thoughts and comments welcome.

Dennis
 
a buffer is best performing off of a pedestal, that way if it grabs your project it will toss it away from you and usually wont bounce back, like it would if it were say on a bench or something of the sort
 
First figure out the circumference of the wheel you are using and the RPM. For example, a 12" wheel at 3,000 RPM is turning at about 3 feet per revolution. Thats 9,000 feet per minute. Picture whatever youre buffing hitting you at about 100mph and thats why its the most dangerous thing in the shop. A 15" bowie knife going 100 MPH is not going to be pretty if it hits you.
 
Check this out! (Sorry, didn't notice the links are general. You'll have to click the link for the first three threads. Safety, SafetyII, and safety III. All good 411.)

http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/


I actually got bit by our buffer here at work. I was buffing a small aluminum part I'd machined. Deburring it really. Just for a second. Man the thing shot out of my hand, did a complete revolution on the wheel and shot into my chest. I seriously thought my breastbone was broken. Holy shit!!!!!!!!! Thank god the piece was so light.
 
Fiddleback said:
Check this out!

http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/
Click to expand...

FWIW, you have the same link there twice which just points to the head of the iForge section at anvilfire, we're not seeing the specifics you wanted to point us to.

The reasons for buffers being dangerous have already been stated pretty well. You might want to search the forum for some more info and suggestions on how to ensure your buffing experiences are as safe as possbile. I know this has been covered exhausively here.

-d
 
my worst experience with the buffer thus far was an oddly shaped knife that caught the finger hole and threw it all the way through a textbook in the bookshelf behind they buffing wheel at school. After it went through the side of the bookshelf, so yes buffers can be VERY dangerous, of course it's also much better to use a slower buffing wheel, this was a 12" buffing wheel on a 5000 rpm motor.
 
Has anyone ever tried a buffing wheel on an angle grinder with the knife in a vice or use the tang holes to bolt it to something? Would it be safer?
 
As long as one is careful and observes a few simple safety rules,
you'd be OK.

- do not allow any interruptions while buffing - letting a phone ring in your
shirt pocket,having a family member yell "it is dinner time !" . Dont let your attention slip as you enjoy this beatiful song from the shop radio

- do NOT present anything BUT flat surfaces to the buffer. Anything edgy,
sharp, irregular shaped will allow buffer to grab the object you're buffing.
Allow for generous margin when buffing with softer buffs

For example: buff one side of a blade in two settings: top and bottom,
keeping the front edges well away from the buffing wheel.

Don't be shy of going length-wise - especially with the tips of "pointy" blades


- If you really want to keep all of your fingers @ full length, try "buff first, sharpen last" approach . When having to buff a pre-sharpened knife, double
your attentiveness level.

- don't apply excessive force when buffing. Blade getting uncomfortably hot is
a sign of such excessive force. Apply buffing compound often and let the abrasive action do its work
 
And to answer your original question,
Yes, it would be advantageous to have a variable speed buffer. That would allow slower buffing of some handle materials, and slower buff speeds on some hard to buff (safely) places.
Stacy
 
Dennis,

I use a buffing pad on a dremel tool to reach into the tight spots. I also buff the blade before I put on a handle. If you want a demo sometime, shoot me an email. I have been using my buffer clamped to an extension on my bench but was thinking about fabricating a pedestal. It wouldn't be much more work to make two. Shoot me an email if you're interested.

Nathan
 
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