Thread: Buffers

I'm new to the game of restoration and am looking for a buffer, buffer wheels, and compounds to get the ball rolling. I watch a lot of you tube videos and shop around but, as we know some manufactures give false information to make a sell. My price range on the buffer is $75 to $125. If some of you guys like to input your knowledge I am more than receptive. Even good links and tutorials you could direct me too right down to the razors I should be looking for that would be worth something when I'm done.
Than you,
Phillip

Click on the Advanced Search in the upper right corner.

Type “Buffers” in the “keyword” search box,

Press Search Now… all you want to know, in several great links.

There is a serious learning curve to many things and buffers is no exception. They are really easy to make a mess with. I am still picking away at learning the ropes. I have some basic skills and still rely heavily on had sanding. It is hard to do really nice work with a buffer. It is really easy to blow all the subtle lines off. You should buy some dead razors to practice and experiment with.

Thanks to all. I know ebay has some cheap straight razors. Are there any more out there with junk razors and cheaper prices to practice with. Who is a good man to go to for low cost scales and Blades.
Thank you
Alekhidell

With scales the cost is really in the materials, most of us make our own. You can make a set of scales with just a minimum of hand tools and time.

EBay does sell some scales, but reviews have not been great and the fit would be better if you custom made them.

Here is a video of Charlie Lewis making and installing a pair with just hand tools. Charlies' videos are a joy to watch, it is pretty easy but Charlie makes it look a bit easier than it is.

I know you can do it. In the wiki are a number of suppliers of scale material. Go to Libary/ Repairing & Restoring razors/ making scales. There you will also find good tutorials.

Here

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Thank you that sounds cool.

As much as I hate to say this a buffer set up will run around 250 for the proper type. This does not include wheels or compounds. This can be a lot for that also. You can do a lot with a Dremel if you are just looking to fix up a few blades. In the sticky section there is some really good info. Start there and read a lot. Than when you figure out what you would like or have questions about certain things than people will be a lot more willing to answer.

Harbor Freight has a buffer for $40, less if you use their April coupon for 20% off. Their site says they have a store in Cincinnati. You will probably have to order the greaseless compounds online from somewhere like Eastwood.com.

If you are going to use a buffer, make sure that you know the difference between the safe zone and the throw a sharp object into your family jewels zone.

Yea, many of us have used the $40 Harbor Freight buffer for years, they work just as well as an expensive Baldor.

All the compounds and wheel can be purchased from Castwell Plating as well as a great tutorial. Type “Buffing Tutorial” in the site search box, also a great amount of information in their “Finishing Forum”, and they are great to deal with, excellent wheels buy the 4” to reduce wheel speed.

I lightly breadknife the edge before buffing or sanding, buffing and sanding will ruin the edge anyway, so at least make it a bit safer.

Many of us still hand sand and buff, if you buff with a heavy hand you can easily ruin a razor, do practice with some beaters and watch the tutorials for safety. You can get a great polish hand sanding up to 1 or 2k then polish with metal polish. You can get Micro Mesh sanding pads and paper up to 12K, a high grit sanding pad works for a long, long time, I recently bought an assortment package at Hobby Lobby for $20.

There are lots of video on buffing, watch them and be safe, wear eye and breathing protection, and keep a container of water nearby to quench at the slightest heat buildup.

Here are my buffers, the red no name Twain buffer I got at a swapmeet for $5 with 2 wheels. The orange one is Harbor Freight and the grey is a Baldor. All of them produce the exact same finish.