Buffing?

[J. Hoffman]

A shop fox buffer head, a 1/2-3/4HP 3-phse motor, and a cheap VFD will make a great buffer setup for around $300. It will throw a 12" buff at any normal speed you want. I forget who on this forum I sent a box with the stuff to build one? Maybe it was J. Hoffman?

I bought all my stuff

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I couldn't remember who I sent it all too. Maybe he will chime in and show what his setup looks like.
Yours look good.

 

[oceanrider]

I changed the thread title from Buffering to BUFFING.

Buffing can be dangerous if you don't follow all the rules and have some one-on-one training. Similar to using dynamite, it isn't a skill you learn by trial and error. People always say, "You learn best by making mistakes. " I say Bu!!$....... Some things do not allow mistakes.

To watch a pro using buffing wheels, various grit Greaseless wheels (the red ones) and Black Magic for the edge, and a white handle rouge.

Jesse at Bark River, putting a hair shaving sharp knife handle up the buffer (video is time stamped and should start at the correct location).

 

[oceanrider]

For handles you might consider a two speed "dental lathe" with tapered spindles, like a Baldor or Red Wing Handler. I see these on Craigslist for under $200. Just make sure to buy one with the tapered spindles included (there is a right and a left).

Buying the tapered spindles after the fact cost you upwards of $100 new after the fact. Bob Kramer uses Red Wings for handle work.

The beauty of the tapered spindles is you can change wheels super quick and they run very true.

 

[REK Knives]

I’ve been using a Palmgren variable speed buffer for a few years now. I really like it. You can change speeds in 100 rpm increments.

This... I just got one recently and it's amazing. 900rpm is the lowest it goes and you can bump it up in 100rpm increments as Darren says. They do run around $500-600 though.

 

[dwaterfield]

To watch a pro using buffing wheels, various grit Greaseless wheels (the red ones) and Black Magic for the edge, and a white handle rouge.

Jesse at Bark River, putting a hair shaving sharp knife handle up the buffer (video is time stamped and should start at the correct location).

It's interesting how much they're doing with buffers and I learned a few things -- but this video freaks me out from a safety standpoint.

- Machines just constantly running. I get that it can take a while to stop/start them, but they're just waiting for someone to trip. I notice it wasn't just the grinders, the belt sanders were also constantly on.
- No breathing gear at all. Look at how black his hands are - that stuff is going into his lungs. You can even see some of it on his face and around his nose and mouth
- At least he's wearing safety glasses...?
- Scroll back a little and watch the lady in the pink shirt work on a knife handle with no tape on the blade.

Sorry to be That Guy, it just bothered me.