Thread: Corse Buffing Compounds: Status Report

I mentioned a while back that I was going to try coarse buffing compounds as a means of blade restoration, so here's a bit of a status report. Testing is not complete.

The equipment:

• 80 grit greaseless compound
• 120 grit greaseless compound
• 220 grit greaseless compound
• 320 grit greaseless compound
• Black Emery Compound
• Stainless Compound
• White Rouge
• Standard Bench Grinder (~3400 rpm)
• 8" Sisal Wheels for the 80-120-220-320 and emery
• 8" Spiral Cotton Wheels for the Stainless and White Rouge
• A glass of water

Step 1: Inspected the blades to be refinished
Step 2: Using flapwheels and a dremel, major pitting was removed and smoothed to 400 grit. The scratch marks on the last pass were purposely left in a single direction.
Step 3: Proceeded to the compounds, first going perpendicular to previous grit's scratch lines until they disapeared, then leaving new ones perpendicular to those.
Step 4: A liquid smooth mirror finish

Comments: The glass of water was to quench the blade. This had to be done often to avoid heat buildup. All of the compounds up to and including the emery threw sparks. A very respectably smooth satin finish was left after the 320 grit, comparable to a fine bead blasted finish, but a little more directional.

I did 4 blades last week in about two and a half hours, from crusty to divine. This method beats the hell out of hand sanding, but requires much more space and investment in equipment.

More comments to follow once I get a chance todo some more blades.