Does anyone have a recommended speed for buffing? For the tripoli wheel due you run fast or slow? Same with white and carnuba? I am using a jet mini lathe with the beal system. My slowest speed is 500 rpm and at times that seems to fast. Thanks for any help you can offer.
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Buffing
- Thread starter dbonertz
- Start date
1200 rpm is what I run at. Be mindful that you are buffing not trying to use it like and "abrasive gouge". The wheels should just touch the piece. Also make sure that your finish has cured pretty good. Also, press the piece a bit harder into the wax wheel. With that one you need a little heat to be generated to melt the wax. Finally, the goblets buffs are less like to grab the piece even when speed is adjusted to maintain the same angular velocity. I think it is because of their density.
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Like the man said, it's not so much the speed as it is the pressure. Straightforward friction equation. Shellac and carnauba are close on flow temps, so I'd recommend a softer preparation with shellac. You can even get in trouble with oil-based resin finishes that aren't fully cured.
Be careful on the coarse compounds, lest you cut through a mechanically bonded top layer and leave a ring. Level your finish with backed sandpaper, then polish with the wheels.
Be careful on the coarse compounds, lest you cut through a mechanically bonded top layer and leave a ring. Level your finish with backed sandpaper, then polish with the wheels.
Thanks Folks,
I'll try your advice.
I'll try your advice.
I run my buffs on a 1725 rpm motor. That is the speed that Beall recommends for their standard buffing wheels. If I remember correctly, the optimum buffing speed for the small bowl buffs is 3550 rpm.
Buffing is most effective with a high surface speed and a light touch. You are polishing, not cutting.
Buffing is most effective with a high surface speed and a light touch. You are polishing, not cutting.
You're all awesome.
Thanks
Thanks
Try using latex or nitrile gloves when buffing. Gives you a spiderman grip. (Not that any of MY bowls have ever become Frisbees...)
Do you use anything on your turnings before buffing? I have been putting about 3 coats of Mylands friction polish on them and then sanding it with a 3-m pad. On my last turning, though, I noticed if I looked closely I could see the sanding marks from the 3m pad through the wax. What do you do?
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Difference between leveling and smoothing. With the flexible pad you just round the edges of the ridges you left in the friction polish rather than remove them. Difference between grading and dragging a road where you take everything to flat rather than just nipping high spots.
You want a backing on the paper you use to level your finish. Use your 3M pad to make the random scratches that take the gloss off your finish, or to polish your wood.