what are the secrets to buffing?

J.McDonald Knives

J.McDonald Knives

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Jan 28, 2007
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i decided to practice buffing this morning and got my brand new brushed brass zippo out and hand sanded it down to 1000grit. then i grabbed the white compound that i got from my grandpas before my uncle threw it out and applied a little to the wheel and buffed all the sides in both directions. only problem is that when you hold the zippo sideways you can see the sanding lines but when its facing up its almost a mirror polish. what did i do wrong? what should i do next time to prevent any of this? can you use the same compound that you use on steel with brass? what are some tips and tricks to buffing?
 
the secrets.. hmm i would guess surviving the experience without getting stabbed when the blades comes flying :). i think there are different compounds for different materials and different grits. have´nt done any buffing myself, and i dont really plan to since i lose my concentration sometimes, it would be dangerous for me.
 
Brass is pretty soft, so I think those scratches are deeper than they would be if you sanded steel to 1000-grit, and the buffer isn't taking them off as fast. That's just off the top off my noggin, someone else who knows what they're talking about will probably clear this up for you.
 
i forgot to mention i only used a 6" sewn buff and the motor was spinning at about 3450rpms. tell you one thing tho, it sure does look better than it did before with the brushed look. now its nice and shiney!!!! i think your right about those scratches. i might go back over it later with 1200 or 1500 grit. also will get better compound.
 
Jacob, be VERY carefull. That size wheel and rpm motor is fast. I use half that speed and buffing still worries me. I use an apron of the thickest sadle leather you can get and wear my faceshield over my goggles. A backdrop to catch you knife can help ricochets. Usually I use buffing to expose scratches even if I do not plan to buff it to finish the knife out. Wehn i move from 600 up I buff and if I see any scratches I go back to 400 and try again. If they are deeper than that I am mad lol. Make shure your buff wheel is spinning towards the ground and not up towards your face to.
 
A few points:
#1) 3450 is too fast. Just don't do it.
#2) Don't ever expect buffing to remove ANY scratches. For mirror polish, 1000 grit isn't fine enough. More like 1500 or 2000 for a nice polish, and that is only if all previous scratches are GONE 100%.
You need an absolutely perfect sanding job at 400. Perfect, with ALL previous grit scratches GONE.
At 400 you are still doing some rather drastic stock removal, relatively speaking.
After that, all you are really doing is removing the previous sanding scratches.
Here's something to remember, if you can see the previous grit sanding marks, remove them ALL with the grit you are now on. Don't expect later grits to remove previous heavy grits - get it?
Remove all of your 200 marks with 400. Don't expect 800 to remove the 220.
Remove all of the 400 grit with 800. Don't expect the 1200 to remove the 400! And so on.
And then, NEVER expect buffing to remove ANY sanding marks AT ALL.
Buffing should just be a light touch activity. If you need to really bear down on that buffer to try to "stock" remove scratches, then you didn't do your sanding properly.
Go back and find out what scratches you see, pick up from there and then come forward - again!
Do it all correctly the first time and you'll have a mirror you can see yourself smiling in.
220 - 400 - 800 - 1200 - 1500 - 2000 - buff.
 
Another thing is to never buff things that are small or can catch and open up (like a lighter). Buffing these requires smaller and slower wheels, as well as a bit of experience.

A note to all who ever might consider buffing up a chain or necklace - This is the fastest way to loose a chain and a finger. DON'T TRY IT !!! It is the absolute last thing that we teach apprentice jewelers. The failure rate of first attempts is terrifyingly high. Ask any jeweler you know and they will share the horror stories. Small items like rings and lighters become missiles very fast,too.
Stacy
 
I like a little dremel tool felt wheel and some green chrome compound for polishing small things like lighters and watches and things. I used it recently on a swiss army watch that was a little beat up and it turned out nicely. Also did my brothers Zippo and it turned out good.
 
Well to start with, you have to make your raise big enough--especially if your on the button or in late position, because everyone will be expecting you to bluff at that point.:D :p :D :thumbup:
 
thanks guys. that helped me out big time. ill just go with satin finish until i can get a buffing motor thats slow enough to use. ill get it with the money i get once people buy my knives. anyone wanna buy my second knife for enough money that i can buy a buffer? HEHEHEHE!!!!!
 
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