Thread: Buffing compoucompound order

I have just received my order from Caswell and have the starter compound kit. It has emory, tripoli, stainless, white, red rouge and the blue.

My question is where the tripoli fits. Is it after emory and before the stainless or is it emory, stainless then triploi.

Got the extensions to go with the spindles. Really does make a big difference.

What a coincidence !!....I am just about to buy this model grinder from Bunnings and convert to a buffer.
Can you give me the specs/order numbers for the Casewell spindle and extenders ?

I have been looking at the same setup! I have started to buy it several times but somehow held off... So can you start using it and tell us how amazing it is so I can go ahead and buy it??

Originally Posted by bongo

What a coincidence !!....I am just about to buy this model grinder from Bunnings and convert to a buffer.
Can you give me the specs/order numbers for the Casewell spindle and extenders ?

The extensions are the extra long and are six inchs. With the spindles it really is quite a lot of room to move and with the 4 inch wheels gives plenty of space. The grinder is about 3000 rpm so with 4 inch wheels is about 3000 sfpm. Its about a third hp from memory so won't rip you up if something goes too wrong. I can stop it by hand on the spindle. Got it on sale for 23 bucks.
Extra Long Shaft Extender 1/2" Bore Right Thread

Tapered Buffing Spindle

These are what I brought. Now I need a crappie razor to do so testing. Tested the emery on a old knife and it cleaned it up well but didn't remove scratches (it is pretty hard steel though) so may need to start with something else and just finish up with this.

Originally Posted by Ernie1980

I have been looking at the same setup! I have started to buy it several times but somehow held off... So can you start using it and tell us how amazing it is so I can go ahead and buy it??

I have a couple gds thsy need the stabalizers fixed etc so after that i might rub em down with 600 w and d and the run them through the compounds. Will let you know but will take a bit as my wife destroyed our built in wardrobe overloading it so I need to build a new one from kit and get this one out.

Here is a good tutorial on buffing, from the US Castell’s site, could not find it in the Australia site. About mid-way is a good chart for progression, but is only a guide.

You have to experiment a bit and don’t need all the compounds every time, depending on the finish and the preparation. As with all finishes, preparation is key, some 600 greaseless is a great prep, before going to greased compounds, if there is no damage.



I like a Tripoli, Chrome Oxide and the F515-6113 White Lightning Rouge progression, and rake your wheels often.

That’s a lot of extension, it will be interesting to see what it does to the bearings on the motor.

Yeah I have read the Casewell stuff but it gives the order for everything but the green ss bar which it just says is for stainless. I know that the green is after emory and before the white I'm just unsure where the tripoli fits. After playing around ladt night i think greaseless will be next up but Caswell aust only go to 320 so going to need to import a bit.

Generally I use Tripoli as a breaking down compound as it is about 1K coarse and then becomes finer as it is used. When very fine it puts a glow on horn or metals different than a high polish.

~Richard
I am going to add that pumice is even better for that purpose. I use it by hand. I make a slurry of it and water and just polish with it on a rag wrapped around my finger tip.
Pumice is usually available at a local hardware store in one pound boxes for cheap!

Yea, Tripoli is the “Brown” in the chart.

I use Tripoli in place of Black Emery, with better results. I have not had much success with the blue bars. There is a fine.

Well that answers it then. Emery, tripoli then stainless. I thought that might be it but prefer to make sure than stuff it up and then fix it. Cheers for your help guys.