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After watching Glens great thread on buffing :
I have recently purchased some greaseless compounds to use with my buffer and have a question on use.
I was thinking of reversing the buffer when using these compounds on razors in the hope that it would improve safety ie if the wheel caught the razor, it would throw it away from me !
Comments please guys, is this a sensible idea, has anyone tried it, or is it a no-no ?
My apologies if this has been covered before !
What do you mean by reversing the buffer? When you face the buffer in what direction do the wheels spin?
My Baldor spins towards me when I face it. I buff with the razor on the lower side of wheels so if it gets caught it will fly away from me.
I turned a buffer around and used the top of the wheel as an experiment. It seemed logical to me at the time. It did not go as I had hoped. I threw way more stuff trying to buff that way. It is more awkward instead of less awkward. Apparently you have way more control approaching the wheel from the bottom, gravity is then in your favour. The top of the wheel threw have more stuff. I found that working at or near the bottom of the wheel is best.
Thanks for the input RezDog
I have taken on board your comments and what you found makes sense
It was worth a try !
Its good that you asked the question. And Rez came thru with a solid answer. This is why we are here. No question is not worth asking. I feel that safety is better spinning the way it was designed.
Just keep whatever your buffing a little below the horizontal center line. Use smaller wheels too, I generally use 4” and smaller for razors, keeps the heat down and is less grabby in my experience. Doesn’t cut or color as fast but is way better than screwing up the temper on a blade, also makes it easier to get into the books ands crannys.
I asked an old machinist about "reverse" grinding and polishing once and his response was that you could do either, but that the set up was different. For "reverse" work, you want the top of the wheel at waist level so that are your arms are horizontal. For "forward" work you want the bottom of the wheel at waist level so that your arms are horizontal.
I get better results grinding "reversed" on top of the wheel, but I get better polishing results going "forward" on the bottom of the wheel. So as always YMMV.
Thanks for the interesting reply.Quote:
Originally Posted by criswilson10
That certainly makes sense and also what the person is more comfortable with, I will try it both ways an find out which suits me best !
Buffing on top can be done as well, I have done it many times, but ultimately I like the results I get with buffing on the bottom of the wheels better.Quote:
Originally Posted by luckypip
It is all about the right pressure and a secure hold of the razor.
Watch a few youtubes first. That wheel spins fast. If the razor grabs you wont be able to stop it and it can end up anywhere.
More important than the buffer direction is where you work on the wheel.
WHEN at some point it grabs and gets torn out of your hands you don't want it coming in your direction!
Exactly my point, at some time it will. That was why I was thinking of different ways to improve safety !
Safety
Of course all the norms but for razors, another consideration is to start with the Heavier Grinds on the buffer, they are less prone to shatter
I am not sure about the reverse direction but mostly because you would have less control while buffing.. Being able to ride the razor on the wheel and hold it in place using the length of your finger against the reverse side allows for easy pressure adjustment and allows you to monitor heat well..
I am just not seeing that with the wheel in reverse, but then again I learned with the wheel coming in my direction just like everyone else.
I just don't know :shrug: I am too old and too far into this to change now
Ever lost a razor off the wheel ? Which direction did it go ? I have a couple times and it seems to go out ( of course ) but down. My point is Up would be a lot more dangerous to have a razor flying in any direction, and at you that way would hurt a lot more if say you stopped it with your face. Just a thought about buffing. Never had more than a kick out on a grinder.
When you run a grinder/polisher the other way, the blade should be on the top of the wheel or on the back top side of the wheel. When the blade flies out of your hand it flies away from you. It can, however, fly off the back of the wheel, slam into a wall behind the grinder/polisher, and then bounce back at you. Fun times! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by 10Pups
I should add, I started wearing a full face shield, instead of just safety glasses, when a chisel I was grinding on let loose, bounced off the back wall, and zipped passed my head.