Loading buffer wheels

Sorry if this question has been asked and answered ad nauseum, but I've not found quite what I'm looking for in the archives. So here goes...
I recently was given a harbor freight 8" buffer/grinder as a gift and finally decided to take it for a spin. I notice when trying to load the wheels with any compound- greaseless or otherwise- I only get about half of the wheel covered with compound. Tried different wheels/sizes/compounds/raking again, all with the same half coverage result.
My buffing chops are nonexistent so any help is much appreciated.


Dan

When you say you get half the wheel covered do you mean like it blotches or like a coated spot and then non then coated?

Things work best for me when loading greaseless if I kinda lightly push the bar into the wheel for a few seconds and let it heat up, then turn the buffer off and jam the compound into the wheel while its slowing down. I need to do that several times, sometimes.

I get about half the wheel( give or take )coated nice and even then the other half is bald. Tried pulsing motor on and off to load and also trying to load at speed then applying more pressure against the wheel to slow it. Same result.

Scratching my head.


Dan

What kind of buff is it???? not brand but stiffness???

Sisal, Sewn, or loose????? what buff are you trying to load with greaseless???

For the greaseless I'm using 4" spiral sewn wheels. Same thing happened applying rouge to a 6" loose cotton buff.


Thanks

If I remember, that is a 3600 rpm buffer. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said lightly touching. I find on that speed buffer that multiple light touching of the compound to the wheel works best. You might also try toggling the on/off switch as you apply the compound lightly (sounds like you are trying this, but with pressure). Less compound is better. You really want a thin coating and not try to cake the compound on the wheel.

Have fun,

Lynn

Sometimes with a new wheel/buff I end up going through several iterations of loading then then raking. I will load the wheel then rake, then do it again until I get it the way I want it. Sometimes it takes me 3 or 4 times. After the first time they seem work/load good from then on.

Charlie

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep at it. Just a little frustrating at the moment. As I said my knowledge of greaseless compound is nilch, but the same thing happening with rouge and other bars that I've worked with before threw me for a loop.


Thanks

Keep in mind that different bars are either greasier or dryer too. This makes a difference. The greasy ones tend to be easy to load up and the drier ones take to the toggling. Charlie makes a great point on using the rake too. I rake my wheels often.

Have fun,

Lynn

I think the raking will help. It could also be a "funny wheel." I bought a whole bunch of wheels, raked them all about the same, and loaded them up using pretty much the same method. One of them just doesn't want to take an even coating of compound. It feels stiffer than the other wheels, and I think it just might need some more raking or a lighter touch or something.

Anyway, I hope you figure out what's going on with your wheels.

My 2cents :: 3600rpm's for buffing?? Iffy at best, 1825rpm's works better, again IMHO. I have done a fair amount of buffing in my life and 3600rpm's can much more easily gouge, burn and cause 'Hazing' on more different type of materials than 1825rpm. Again, just MHO.

Have a great G/day, tinkersd of SRP

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tinkersd

My 2cents :: 3600rpm's for buffing?? Iffy at best, 1825rpm's works better, again IMHO. I have done a fair amount of buffing in my life and 3600rpm's can much more easily gouge, burn and cause 'Hazing' on more different type of materials than 1825rpm. Again, just MHO.

Have a great G/day, tinkersd of SRP

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Among other things, it depends on the wheel size. 4 or 6 inches at 3600, which is what the OP said he's using, should be totally manageable. Especially since he said the 6 inch is loose cotton wheels and rouges.

I've had the same problem before. I think some wheels are a little out of round when you get them. As mentioned above, just keep loading and raking until it takes compound like it should.