Newbie here, questions! :)

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06-25-2017, 08:41 AM
ppucci

Newbie here, questions! :)

Hi all! My name is Persio and I'm from Brazil. I am starting now on acquiring vintage razors for restorations. While I am beginning on it, I do have plenty of tools. At first I plan on restoring the blades only, and not scales (for now).

I have a Dremel 4000 with the flexible shaft and I am looking for tips on what brushes to use and in what order. What is your experience with it? I understand using a Dremel has both pro and con teams, and I do not intend to do it by hand, so please no holy wars :). So, what brushes, do you use any chemical? any paste?

I have also purchased some sharpening stones (not only for the razors, but for my knives) that I intend to use to hone the blades. I have a 1000 and a 6000, and also a flexible leather strop.

Any input is appreciated!
06-25-2017, 09:17 AM
tcrideshd

put the dremel away,, and yes I know you said that you were using it, but input was asked and I,m telling you now, so later you cant say you were not warned,, you just starting so its best to take it a step at a time. whats the rush? do you even shave with one? so dremel away and see what you accomplish , just be safe and try not to get hurt Tc
06-25-2017, 09:20 AM
ppucci

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

put the dremel away,, and yes I know you said that you were using it, but input was asked and I,m telling you now, so later you cant say you were not warned,, you just starting so its best to take it a step at a time. whats the rush? do you even shave with one? so dremel away and see what you accomplish , just be safe and try not to get hurt Tc

Well thank you for the input! Would you care to explain a little more why?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
06-25-2017, 10:06 AM
Utopian

Since you only recently have purchased a strop and two hones, does this mean that you are not yet shaving with a straight razor?
06-25-2017, 10:08 AM
ppucci

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

Since you only recently have purchased a strop and two hones, does this mean that you are not yet shaving with a straight razor?

I am, but using disposable blades. I'm going to move into steel blades. Bought a new one along with some vintage to try and restore.
06-25-2017, 10:09 AM
ppucci

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

Since you only recently have purchased a strop and two hones, does this mean that you are not yet shaving with a straight razor?

Also, I'm currently only shaving my neck. For full shaves I use a safety razor.
06-25-2017, 12:06 PM
Gasman

A dremal can be used but its good to start restoring by hand. This will give a feel for what your doing. Ive been restoring for about a year now so i understand a lot but not enough. I used a dremel just last week to change the finish on a razor and cracked the blade. Lucky it didnt come flying up and stick in me or bounce off something and cut me. Again, dremels can be used but its best to understand working with steal, sanding and polishing by hand, and if you really want to use power tools, a bench buffer is safer. It can still damage you and your blade if not careful but i find it a little safer than a dremel spinning a millions of miles an hour!
Good luck and most of all, SAFETY!
06-25-2017, 12:14 PM
ppucci

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman

A dremal can be used but its good to start restoring by hand. This will give a feel for what your doing. Ive been restoring for about a year now so i understand a lot but not enough. I used a dremel just last week to change the finish on a razor and cracked the blade. Lucky it didnt come flying up and stick in me or bounce off something and cut me. Again, dremels can be used but its best to understand working with steal, sanding and polishing by hand, and if you really want to use power tools, a bench buffer is safer. It can still damage you and your blade if not careful but i find it a little safer than a dremel spinning a millions of miles an hour!
Good luck and most of all, SAFETY!

It really does sound safer than the dremel, it's just one more tool that I'd have to purchase... :) But I hear you, really need to buy myself some protection gear, having bruised myself before with dremel brushes, and a disc just exploded yesterday while trying to cut some wood... I know, safety first and I have been lazy. I'll definitely put my act together and buy myself a small bench, more c-clamps, safety gear, even maybe a bench buffer and a cheap bench belt sander. Just to make it clear all those would not be only for razors... :)

Attachment 266866
06-25-2017, 12:36 PM
outback

I use a dremmel, just not as much as I used to. I have destroyed only Two, out of well over one hundred.
Just use it for some polishing, and occasionally when using greaseless compounds for heavy pit removal, should I care to remove them.
Its a great tool for certain things, just not everything.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...092cbcbc54.jpg
06-25-2017, 01:00 PM
Utopian

If you are going to use a dremel, then you ALWAYS need to be aware of the direction of rotation of the wheel relative to the blade's edge. The direction of rotation ALWAYS needs to be from spine to edge. If you do it the wrong way, the wheel can grab the edge and dangerous things can happen in the blink of an eye.
06-25-2017, 01:02 PM
ppucci

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback

I use a dremmel, just not as much as I used to. I have destroyed only Two, out of well over one hundred.
Just use it for some polishing, and occasionally when using greaseless compounds for heavy pit removal, should I care to remove them.
Its a great tool for certain things, just not everything.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...092cbcbc54.jpg

Agree! It is versatile, but it doesn't mean it should be used for everything.

What brushes or buffs do you use? Do you use Dremel's own polishing compound?
06-25-2017, 01:03 PM
ppucci

Newbie here, questions! 😊

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utopian

If you are going to use a dremel, then you need ALWAYS need to be aware of the direction of rotation of the wheel relative to the blade's edge. The direction of rotation ALWAYS needs to be from spine to edge. If you do it the wrong way, the wheel can grab the edge and dangerous things can happen in the blink of an eye.

Yeah no kidding I saw this other post earlier today... that was also an eye opener on my lack of safety equipment.
06-25-2017, 03:14 PM
RezDog

I have a Dremel that sees some use. One of the things that I find important is the use of a foot pedal to control the speed. The other must have item from my perspective is a means to secure the blade. You can build a magnetic holder, or use a vice or engravers block. They all work great for helping keep your fingers safe while working a blade. I find for polishing it is more difficult to get a nice even finish with a Dremel than with a buffer, but buffers can also be dangerous and have their own set of safety issues. Hand sanding is still how I do almost all of the heavy lifting.
06-25-2017, 03:17 PM
ppucci

Appreciate all the comments so far. Really making me think about starting manually, and maybe someday move to the dremel. Might even look for a buffer. But first, need to go after tools and safety items. Thank you all, keep 'em coming.
06-25-2017, 05:07 PM
Pete123

Here are a few more reasons to start by hand rather than dremel.

Straight razors are very fragile, especially as you closer to the cutting edge. They are very thin at the cutting edge. Using a dremel, or anything with a motor, can ruin the blade quickly, better to get the basics down first.

It's bee said, though I'll reiterate. a dull straight razor is still very sharp. The Dremel can throw it with plenty of velocity to hurt you or someone else.

I've cracked and ruined a nice Solingen razor with a dremel.

Also, I don't believe in taking a vintage blade and making it look brand new. Doing that erases all of the history. I want to remove and arrest and rust / pitting and clean it up, but that is all.

I believe the best way to remove rust with with a piece of pure copper. Copper is harder than rust and softer than steel.

I found that I enjoy making scales more than restoring vintage razors.
06-25-2017, 05:20 PM
outback

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppucci

Agree! It is versatile, but it doesn't mean it should be used for everything.

What brushes or buffs do you use? Do you use Dremel's own polishing compound?

Too much to list, but mainly three wheels.
Stitched for greaseless and greased compounds.
Wool for a aggressive polish or tight work with greaseless.
Rag for final polish and polishing scales.
For plastic scales with light scratches, I use a leather wheel and a plastic scratch removing compound, followed with a rag wheel and Flitz or Maas for the final polish.

Always watch wheel rotation to the blade " ALWAYS" !! away from the edge, and put carpet or rugs on the floor to catch errand drops n such.
Broke my first one that way, knocked the blade off the table, hit the floor..Boom, gone, the blade basically exploded, taking half the width of the blade.

So here's a pic to look through of the dremmel things, and "some" of the other stuff I use.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4217dd37e2.jpg