Before and After (The results of my experimentation)

So I haven't been as active lately because I've been experimenting with hones and greaseless compounds and pastes. And beating Fallout 3. :D Oh, and helping CPS save the children.

Anyway, this is the before and after pics of my greaseless compound experimentation. I don't have a buffer, but I damn well want one now. I think I could get a better finish with a full size buffer. Or at least 6".

Process used. On one side of the blade I used the 180 grit and then just blasted it with bristle discs and did a quick polish. The other side I did a 180, 240, 400 grit progression, then did a quick polish. It can get shinier, I just didn't feel like the razor was worth the extra time. But the pits were deep, not sure if I can get better than this without removing more metal than I'm comfortable with.

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...lerbefore1.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...lerbefore2.jpg

AFTER
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...GButler-01.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...GButler-02.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...GButler-03.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...GButler-04.jpg

For the time spent, I'd say the results are pretty damn good. And the best part is no hand sanding. :beer2:

Thanks for sharing. I bought the variable 6" grinder form Sears and am about to buy 14 cotton spiral sewn wheels and then buy the greaseless combo pack from Caswell. I can't wait to try, but I am going to be very careful because I am told you can get seriously hurt. So be careful if you get one!
Good Luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by treydampier

Thanks for sharing. I bought the variable 6" grinder form Sears and am about to buy 14 cotton spiral sewn wheels and then buy the greaseless combo pack from Caswell. I can't wait to try, but I am going to be very careful because I am told you can get seriously hurt. So be careful if you get one!
Good Luck!

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And... Once more...
You can get seriously injured using a buffer, even with training and safety precautions. Not the usual "ouch, that smarts" hurt, not even the "Holy shnikies, get the gauze" type of hurt. We're talking the kind of hurt that ends carriers and ruins lives.

Buffing wheel dangers is on the top of my "reasons not to get a buffer" list.

I am very wary of that machine. Doubt I'll actually get one. No place to put it except the balcony and its freaking hot in the summer time. And I don't exactly have a lot of free time.

As Dan points out, a mistake on a buffer can be bad. The first time your buffer catches a blade and throws it out of your hands the first thing you do is make sure there are still 10 fingers, then you look at the floor for blood, then you try to find whatever is left of your blade.

I buff all my blades but there is a method to it. Do yourself a favour and go to the local hardware store and get yourself a fillet glove. They are made of fabric covered stainless steel to make them cut resistant. It will save a finger now and then. Ware your eye protection and a tight fitting apron. Nothing floppy, unless you want it to catch the buffer wheel and rip your face into that high speed wheel and grind the skin off your face.

You have to work fast or the friction will burn the blade and ruin the temper. Make sure to always work with any edges facing away from the rotation of the wheel. Get a hard corner or hevin forbid the cutting edge of the balde turned into the wheel and it will catch and rip it out of your hands. Keep a clear path between the wheel and the wall so when it does grab a blade and throw it, it hits a wall and not somthing like your car, motercycle, or another person. Use a firm grip but light pressure. You need to make sure you have a good grip on that blade but it should nearly floate against the wheels. Dont push it into the wheel, real bad things will happen if you do. Practice with a few blades that you dont mind destroying just incase and dont let this happen to you.:tameshigiri: