Green Compound

[rutcrazed]

Are all green compounds created equal? Is there a difference between compounds bought at say Lowe's, Home Depot or a local hardware? I am new to all this stuff and still lots to learn.

 

[Skimo]

Not the same.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Are all green compounds created equal? Is there a difference between compounds bought at say Lowe's, Home Depot or a local hardware? I am new to all this stuff and still lots to learn.

They're all a little different. Though most use abrasive and binder materials that are the same (aluminum oxide/chromium oxide/stearin), the particle distribution and composition are going to change. I suspect many that sell don't formulate them in house, so only can quote their manufacturer (Ryobi, Sears) but most are very similar by color. The Formax green "microhoning compound" CrO sold at Woodcraft is good stuff - very tight particle size range and application friendly binder.

 

[Skimo]

I've seen a range from what looks like 600 grit to over 2,000 grit in different green compounds.

I had green compound that would mirror polish, bought a new bar, it doesn't polish, and scratches at about 800 grit.

 

[kwazyjuice]

Bark River Compounds are great compounds to use

 

[rutcrazed]

Thanks guys. That is what I was looking for. I will look into Bark River and Woodcrafters.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I'm going to throw this out there for good measure - for best results most EDU purposes, a multi grit formula will outperform a single grit formula at pretty much any finish short of super mirror sub-micron, no scratches visible under high magnification.

Flexcut is one of the better commercial compounds that fall under this category - does a fantastic job and if manipulated carefully can make for a hair whittling edge. Many of the woodworkers compounds are similar - IIRC Lee Valley green compound catching some heat for having a size distribution in their formula, but they did this on purpose, not to save money.

The stuff I make for my Washboards is mutigrit and I have little trouble hitting a whittling edge with it if that's what I'm gunning for. Won't win any mirror polish contests, but can easily read fine type in the reflection. One of the less publicized differences from one preparation to another is how the binder works with a given application. I did a ton of experiments using plain, dry grit right up a through swimming in vehicle, and on a number of backings. Every tweak resulted in a change in how it worked.

Martin

 

[David Martin]

I procured my brick of green CrO from Sheffield Knife Supply and after stropping on it with a hard leather backing of wood, it will easily give repeated close shaves. DM