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.

 

[rutcrazed]

Moderator please delete. Accidental double post.

 

[stitchawl]

The simple answer is yes, there is a difference.
But unless you are after a hair-whittling edge, the difference won't matter to you.
If you only want a super-sharp edge that will do almost any work you run across, buy the cheapest you can find.
But... if you want perfection... then buy your compound from a jewelery supply shop.
I don't believe there really is a middle ground. It's either correct or not correct. No such thing as 'a little correct.' That's like 'a little pregnant.'

The difference is in the consistency of grit size. Something from Sears or Harbor Freight will have 'mostly' .5 micron grit, but there will be some particles that will run +/- .5mic. Some might be a large as 1micron. How big is that? Well, 50 microns stacked up on top of each other is about the thickness of a sheet of phone book paper... 50 microns....
Will that extra half a micron affect what you will be doing? That's up to you.

Good Green compound (Chromium Oxide) should be about 0.5 microns.
Compound from a jewelery supply place will have a uniform 0.5mic grit.


Stitchawl

 

[rutcrazed]

The simple answer is yes, there is a difference.
But unless you are after a hair-whittling edge, the difference won't matter to you.
If you only want a super-sharp edge that will do almost any work you run across, buy the cheapest you can find.
But... if you want perfection... then buy your compound from a jewelery supply shop.
I don't believe there really is a middle ground. It's either correct or not correct. No such thing as 'a little correct.' That's like 'a little pregnant.'
The difference is in the consistency of grit size. Something from Sears or Harbor Freight will have 'mostly' .5 micron grit, but there will be some particles that will run +/- .5mic. Some might be a large as 1micron. How big is that? Well, 50 microns stacked up on top of each other is about the thickness of a sheet of phone book paper... 50 microns....
Will that extra half a micron affect what you will be doing? That's up to you.

Good Green compound (Chromium Oxide) should be about 0.5 microns.
Compound from a jewelery supply place will have a uniform 0.5mic grit.


Stitchawl

Very informative Stitchcrawl. Thanks for the help. I am new so still learning.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Some 'green' compounds in stick/crayon form will be a mix or blend of chromium oxide with other abrasives and/or fillers. Not sure if this is done for economy's sake (cheaper) or if it's just a particular mfr's way to make it perform in a certain manner (I'm betting not, because it usually degrades the advantages of green in the first place). At any rate, some of them will leave coarser scratches and/or a hazy finish, as compared to better/purer varieties.

If you like mirrored edges, the scratches/hazy finish left by the inferior stuff will be much more noticeable; if finishing coarser, you may not notice it at all, and it may not matter too much anyway.


David

 

[mattd88]

I'm using the green porter cable brand from lowes and it does a pretty good job.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

There is quite a bit of difference. There are CrO2 compounds that contain quite a bit more chromium oxide than generic green compounds. They are expensive to use for buffing, but for stropping are economical.
The more CrO2, the faster and smoother the compound cuts. Shop at the various knifemaker's supply houses.