Thread: Mirror Finish?

I will take a look, I'm looking art starting a businesses I'm hobbying ATM and I love it!

Well, the little 3" HF adjustable bench buffer was "ok" and you COULD work around the fact that its so tiny but I ended up returning it. I picked up a 3/4 hp 8" 3200rpm with light from HF and will slow it down by using different size buffer wheels. I had contacted Caswall about their Chinese 1100 unit (1 yr warranty) because they had $20 shipping which I didnt want have to pay seeing as how they are in my back door but closed after I get out of work. Wouldn't you know it, after I bought the HF unit, the owner stated he lived near me and would bring the unit to me if I decide I want it! Man these guys are great. Caswell has a great unit its just that I am cheaping out with a nice $50 HF unit vs a real nice $259 Caswell unit. If you are learning how to run a buffer go with the Caswell 1100 rpm and practice buffing the handles of your wrenches or something after watching buffing videos. At least this way if you send something flying, it wont be sharp. Just thought I would toss in this update on the buffer. ps...I have purchased and used Caswell's greaselss buffing compounds for anyone interested, they load well and work great. Just be sure to have a separate wheel for each grit size. I happen to use 80 up to 600. Oh, and put a large box behind your buffer (tip). It will collect all the spin off of compound, keep all dust centralized (I am connecting a dust port), and object wont go far, plus its renewable! I just shop-vac it out and its good to go!
Here is the stable...

Originally Posted by medicevans

At 1000 you will still be able to see scratches, but you will have a semi mirror finish. 2000 is a nice finish. I found higher grits at Hobby Lobby. But finishing with Mother's chrome polish, Maas or similar really makes a big difference.

I saw 3000 wet/dry at Advance Autoparts yesterday.

Originally Posted by straightrazorheaven

...The smaller the wheel is the faster the surface speed....Carl.

Don't mean to be a downer but at any given RPM, the larger the wheel the faster the surface speed. Bigger wheel= longer circumference= more wheel passing the blade every time around.

Another thing with buffers and wheels. If you don't a dedicated wheel for each grit, you're going to have issues with left over compound of the lower grits that will affect the performance of your higher grits. Even after you've tried to remove all the previous lower grit compound by whatever means you use, it still makes the wheel wear wear down faster.

Just some thoughts from an old coot that has blued many a gun and built many a knife.

I don't use buffers on any of the razors I'm cleaning up simply due to the possibility of hot spots and getting one snagged and thrown or broken.

I do have a 2x72 belt grinder that I am in the process of putting a DC motor and controller on so I can slow that punk down to creepy crawl belt speeds and it won't bog.

I broke down and purchased a Caswell 1100RPM 3/4 hp Buffer. I went with their lower priced Straight Razor Kit. Mike Caswell brought it out to the house himself since they are close by. Now that's customer service!
Its one heavy duty cast, iron unit! Yes its from China but what isn't these days. Here's the link for the buffer itself at $259 3/4 HP Buffing Machine - 1100 RPM (Machine Only) - Buffing Machines - Buffing/Polishing - Caswell Inc

These machines are great. Pick yourself up one if you're buffing straights, thin metals, or anything requiring slower speeds. While you're there, pick up their greaseless compounds (picture in my post above).

What's the noise factor with one of these things? Need ear plugs? Neighbors need ear plugs? Won't disturb watching tv in the same room?

Originally Posted by DGilloon

What's the noise factor with one of these things? Need ear plugs? Neighbors need ear plugs? Won't disturb watching tv in the same room?

Actually, it was quiet as hell but the Caswell is just leaps and bounds the best buy for the money. Super quiet as well.

I'm selling most of my straights at this time if anyone is interested....

Originally Posted by deadrift

Don't mean to be a downer but at any given RPM, the larger the wheel the faster the surface speed. Bigger wheel= longer circumference= more wheel passing the blade every time around.

Very true. What we are talking about here is SFPM or surface feet per minute - the amount of feet passing the workpiece in one minute.

A rough (but close) formula to calculate this is:

SFPM = 1/4 dia. of wheel x RPM

So with a 4" wheel, one quarter of the diameter is 1. Say the motor spins the spindle at 1750, then SFPM = 1 x 1750 = 1750sfpm.
But with a 6" wheel, one quarter of the diameter is 1.5, so we have 1.5 x 1750 = 2625sfpm - quite an increase in speed.

Regards,
Neil

P.S.: you want to keep those compounds in the fridge - they dry up and become useless if left open to the air.

Originally Posted by Costabro

I'm a little frustrated. I've only been able to fine 1000 and 2000 grit wet-dry and no one can tell me where to find 5000. I have no idea what micro mesh is and haven't seen it on the shelf anywhere. Where am I supposed to be looking?

LOL, don`t be frustrated:-) One day you will get like mirror finish on your razor. From my personal experience... I give up long time ago. To much money for all materials in order to get to like mirror stage. For now I just clean (mesh #000 and maas) up razor, make sure bevel can be set and ready to hone. Well there are not breath takeing away straight razors but they shave well:-) This is just me :-) I had also to many bad experiences with turning straight razors into mirror like conditions. Few times razor over heated, few times was destroyed during buffering and few times just razor warp... However best ever results I got when used sand paper up to 3000 and used cheap green metal polish from HFT.