Buffing wheels?

seionage

Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I've never used buffing wheels before, and know nothing about them.

I was going to order some for my Delta bench grinder (all I have right now).

I currently have some knives that have some scratches in them, and I would like to take them out. One has a mirror finish on them.

I then want to use the buffing wheels for finishing my own knives.

My thoughts were to order 2 Sisial wheels to fit the grinder:
http://jantzsupply.com/cartease/item-detail.cfm?ID=W612

Then, to order Green and Pink compound.
http://jantzsupply.com/cartease/item-detail.cfm?ID=LA544
http://jantzsupply.com/cartease/item-detail.cfm?ID=LA810

Is that a good plan?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
In my opinion buffing is NOT something to be used to remove scratches. Removing scratches requires that you hand sand to a very fine finish, THEN use a buff. Sisal wheels with heavy compounds are used by some to "remove scratches", but I think all you get out of it is "shiny scratches".

Achieving a true "mirror" finish is a LOT of work and effort. Generally involving hand finishing to very fine grits (2000 grit +) and then buffing.

The only buffing wheels that I use in my shop are either Muslin or Felt. The only compounds that I use are Matchless Green, and Pink No Scratch. The Matchless green is used ONLY on hardware such as guards/butt caps, and the Pink No-Scratch is used only on handle materials. I rarely every buff a blade, simply because I do not like "mirror" finished blades.

BE AWARE! A buffing wheel is the most dangerous thing you can have in your shop! Anything that turns a buffing wheel more than 1800 rpm should be avoided. Buffing wheels will "grab" things and hurl them in any unpredictable direction....and they will do it in a fraction of a second. Many folks have been seriously injured as a result of a buffer...so if you've never used one before, pay close attention to what you're doing, have a "death grip" on whatever you buffing, and BE CAREFUL!
 
Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me what the difference is between buffing wheel materials? Is there an idiot link somewhere?

Thanks!
 
I buy a lot of my buffing supplies at Caswell. Here is a link to some buffing information.
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm

Ed's absolutely 100% correct in telling you about the dangers of a buffer. A pedestal buffer is bad enough but adding buffing wheel to a bench mounted buffer just magnifies the dangers. If the bench grinder is all you have, I would suggest mounting it on something that overhangs the bench.

I use a long shafted pedestal mounted buffer with a barrel full of old grinding belts underneath the buffing wheel so when something gets grabbed, it does not become a UFO. (Unpredictable Flying Object)
 
Ed said "have a death grip on it". In my experience a buffer will jerk any thing out of your hand, no matter what kind of grip you have on it. You just can't hold it that tight. It is also a good way to loose what ever you are buffing. I'f had things go flying and didn't find them until weeks later and in places where you would never expect it to be.
 
Ed and Wayne both have tons of experience, Bill's website illustrates he probably does too.
All 3 say that buffers are dangerous! Reinforces my prior thoughts.
I'm not getting one. Be cautious.
Dozier
 
Back
Top