Thread: What size buffer wheels

I have done my reading on the subject and picked up a small bench grinder with approx 1/3 horsepower motor that runs at approx 3000 rpm. I know that I will need to run 4 inch wheels to keep the sfpm to the range I want and will pick up a 2 inch for plastics etc when I really want to slow it down.

My questions are after all the reading no one mentions what thickness the wheels that they run and I prefer 5/8 hollow ground razors and are 4 inch wheels going to be good for this size razor or would 3 inch be better.

I know the pitfalls of grinders and will be getting an extension to go on before the tapered spindle and by raising the grinder slightly also should have plenty of room. Thanks for your help. Ed

This is the same question I've had. Went down to 4 inch but didn't make the extender. Ended up settling for doing more work by hand. I'm going to go read those posts and put in an extension I think but would also like to know best wheel diameters and also does anyone use leather wheels on bench grinder?
Thanks for the post, this brings up issue I need to work on.
Sorry I couldn't help..

I use 3" mainly and 4" on rare occasions, you may also need 6" for large blades.
For plastic I go for 8" loose cotton, it works very well for me.

I use the 3” X 1/4” and 4 X ½” wheels without all that much difference in performance. The 4” will get into the hollows just fine. I have also doubled up the wheels for about a 1" buffing surface, but prefer the single wheels for better control and view of the buffing surface.

Castwell’s has all you will need including the extenders and tapers.

Personally I would buy a Harbor Freight buffer for $40, rather than cobble together a buffing system. Buffing Straight Razors is dangerous and anything you can do to make it safer is a very wise move. Buffers are designed with narrower motor housings just for buffing clearance, it is not just about the spindle length.

If your spindles are too short you will have to compensate on how you hold and buff the razor and that can compromise safety. Not worth $40, in my opinion.

Do think about what you are about to do and if you think, it may be unsafe, don’t do it.

I also lightly bread knife the razor edge, with a diamond file to remove the edge, just another layer of safety. You will have to rehone the razor anyway.

No leather, if you need a stiffer wheel for aggressive cutting, the Sisal wheels work well with low grit Greaseless.

Make sure that you understand the SAFE ZONE for buffing. Keep the blade low on the wheel so that if it grabs the blade it is thrown away from you.

I buff on top, bottom and anywhere in between, on the side of the wheel facing me, where I find it comfortable for the blade at hand. For me the important factor in buffing is pressure, and where it is applied. As little pressure as possible will assure less chance for the wheel to grab the blade and spin it, and also longer time to generate heat in the steel. Smaller wheels, which spin slower are less prone to blade grabbing.

I brought a 6inch grinder but the motor is small closer to 4 inchs around and with a glove on I can easily stop the motor and even with just my fingers on the spindle can slow it considerably. Buffers are not found in the hardwares etc here and would cost well out of my price range. Have checked out caswells and the tutorials etc and been searching the threads for the last week for compounds, saftey, rpm , buffs etc. The buff thickness is the main thing I needed and just to confirm that 4 inch wheels would work fine. Will have to check the caswells site to see what they have. It's less than the American site which is in all the links.

I use 2" & 4" sewn cotton wheels for pastes & polishes etc dependent on blade hollow, then use a 6" clean MOP only for finishing on my Converted 6" grinder with extension spindles

Dion do you use the clean mop just for buffing to clean the blade at the end?

If you don't mind could you tell me where you got your mops from. Thanks

Got my buff wheels from www.polishup.com.au
These white stitched wheels
Buffs Wheels Pads - White Stitch Wheels - Polish Up Store

I also got a couple of denim wheels for the course grit compounds as these are a lot stiffer tha the White stitched
http://www.polish-up.com.au/products...2-section.html


Then the 6" is a loose calico wheel and yes just for final quick clean polishing
http://www.polish-up.com.au/products...2-section.html