Thread: Buffer direction

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.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

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.
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 !

Originally Posted by luckypip

Thanks for the input RezDog
I have taken on board your comments and what you found makes sense
It was worth a try !

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.
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.