Thread: Mirror Finish?

Found some Micro Mesh here and the price was fantastic!
MicroMesh Multi-Pack (12000, 8000, 6000, 4000, 3200, 2400) 6 sheets | Strings By Mail

Are you using the cutting motion on the buffer wheels? I can get a mirror finish by just using sisal buffing wheel on a bench grinder then moving to a soft buffing wheel. If I am honest, it is really hard to tell a difference between buffing compounds (apart from speed) with the naked eye. You can see the difference under high MAG.

Originally Posted by straightrazorheaven

Are you using the cutting motion on the buffer wheels? I can get a mirror finish by just using sisal buffing wheel on a bench grinder then moving to a soft buffing wheel. If I am honest, it is really hard to tell a difference between buffing compounds (apart from speed) with the naked eye. You can see the difference under high MAG.

Probably is hard to see a difference with sisal wheels and a bench grinder...

I use a soft buffing wheel too you can't see the difference in the finishes unless you have a loupe or greater MAG. They are all mirror finish, as you can see

I was looking at buying a variable speed 3" mini buffer from Habor Freight. O to 3000 rpm's. Has plenty of power. Have to take off the guards and the attached grinding flex arm but for $40! What a deal. Saves a lot of space on the bench too. 3" buffing wheel should be fine right? Anyone ever use one of these?
http://http://www.harborfreight.com/...aft-43533.html

Buying it today after work and will try it out on my first project blade. They can't keep these in the stores apparently. We have two stores in the city where I live and both are constantly out of stock. Of course on line ordering is only $6 SH. but why pay if you don't have to. I'll let you all know how it does. I will be using Caswell greaseless compounds 80 120 180 240 800 1200.

Hey there,
I would be very careful with such a small wheel! The smaller the wheel is the faster the surface speed. Make sure you have a real tight grip on that razor and ensure you know how to do it safely (things like having the razor facing the correct way) It is relatively safe when proper precautions and knowledge is put in place. Have you used a bench buffer before?

Carl.

Originally Posted by straightrazorheaven

Hey there,
I would be very careful with such a small wheel! The smaller the wheel is the faster the surface speed. Make sure you have a real tight grip on that razor and ensure you know how to do it safely (things like having the razor facing the correct way) It is relatively safe when proper precautions and knowledge is put in place. Have you used a bench buffer before?

Carl.

Hi Carl,
Thanks for the word of caution but I am no stranger around a shop. I have used a buffer for years but they have been much larger. Using a buffer is always potentially dangerous no matter the size. This one has an adjustable speed setting from 0 to 10,000 rpm's ( no load). It doesn't have the space to move around like the larger units but it works just fine! I kept the speed at roughly 2,000 rpm (nl). Worked great for $30. I have a firearms side busine
and that will meet my needs there as well. If I was to start doing razors as a business then I could see investing in a nice buffer like the one Caswell sells but for the average guy, this $30 micro works great.

That sounds great Hey check my post about high gloss resin polish in the workshop! I don't know if you use this already but it really gives the scales a mirror finish too!!
I am moving to the states soon enough and I think I will get me one of these buffers, would you recommend?
Carl

Hi Carl,
If money is a concern, as well as bench space and you have some experience on a buffer then I would recommend this mini buffer as it works great! If you have an extra $300 to $379 USD, Caswell makes a nice straight razor polishing kit with a 1100rpm buffer, compounds, wheels and everything. It's the best kit I've seen. They are actually a few towns over from me. Check them out on line at caswellplating.com.