Thread: suggestions for polishing/polishing compounds?

Originally Posted by Mijbil

hmm. well there sure is divided sentiment on this one. is there really much danger to the razor with the dremel if I'm not doing sanding, just polishing and buffing with felt wheels? or is the danger more to me?

While Dremel is a very handy tool for doing this and that and almost anything, it is also easy to make a real bad job both to your workpiece and yourself if you don't know what you are doing. At least remember to wear safety goggles when working with high rpm tools.
What it comes to polishing compounds i use Autosol and Farecla G3 when polishing metal objects. They work ok with Dremel and with polishing by hands also.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Walt:

Were you rotating the dremel felt with or against the edge?

I don't remember Shooter. It was several years ago. But, whichever way it was rotating had to be the wrong way.

Regards - Walt

follow-up: hey guys (especially those advocating against the dremel); is the advice against the dremel, esp about it being dangerous (to me and the razor) mostly about using the dremel with sanding or grinding wheels? or does it also apply to using it for polishing & buffing wheels?

I've got a Ryobi modelling drill (from back in the days when I made model aircraft) which can take the Dremel buffers. The benefit with this one is that it doesnt have an on/off switch, but a push button. As soon as you let go of the button the bit stops which I found quite useful when I started using it on razors. If it catches, let go of it and it stops immediately.

Originally Posted by Mijbil

follow-up: hey guys (especially those advocating against the dremel); is the advice against the dremel, esp about it being dangerous (to me and the razor) mostly about using the dremel with sanding or grinding wheels? or does it also apply to using it for polishing & buffing wheels?

You can mess up with sanding & polishing wheels as well. It is the high rpm speed that makes Dremel little dangerous when used incautious.
As i wrote, Dremel is really handy tool for multiple tasks, but there are certain risks when using it.

. If you are going to use one just remember to keep the edge lightly pressed against something so it doesn't catch and always run the wheel following the edge not against it so it doesn't catch on the edge. Small buffing wheels are especially dangerous that way since the cloth will grab and tear a chunk out and possibly throw it at you. I use one all the time but you have to be careful. I have a foot rehostat on mine so I can stop quicker but I doubt anyone would be quick enough.

The key, ABSOLUTE KEY, is to keep the rotation of the dremel wheel spinning away from the edge. I personally only use the scotchbrite type buffing wheels, wire wheels, and buffing wheels on straight razors & do the sanding by hand. I just feel like I get a more uniform finish that way. The wire wheel works great for cleaning out jumps & the abrasive buffs literally wipes away any rust from a "new to me" razor. Then I use the tumbler. I personally don't feel like dremels are "dangerous", it's like any power tool and must be used properly & all safety protocols must be adhered to. Routers are dangerous on the other hand...err...right hand ring fingertip!