Securing the pen while running through the buffing wheel?

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G

G200

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
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5
Location
Ohio
I'm wondering what most people use to run their pens through a buffing wheel such as the Beall system? I have heard that if left on the mandrel the metal contact will create black stains on the buffing wheel.

So if not holding the mandrel how do you hold the pen to keep it from buffing either your fingers or flying across the work area?

Thanks,

G
 
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You take some wood dowels and turn them to match the inside diameter of the pens you make. Then leave enough room at the end so you can hold it. Now, you hold both ends of the "stick" with your pen in the middle and buff. Just slightly off the axis of the dowel, then turn the blank around and go the other way, so you are buffing at about 30 degrees off center each time. Check for scratches before assembly and pay attention to the ends--most likely to miss the ends when buffing.
 
OR
replace your steel bushings with nylon or delring bushings and hold using your mandrel. I also prefer to buff perpendicular to the barrel, then turn and buff parallel to the barrel. Try both and see which you prefer.
 
DCBluesman said:
OR
replace your steel bushings with nylon or delring bushings and hold using your mandrel. I also prefer to buff perpendicular to the barrel, then turn and buff parallel to the barrel. Try both and see which you prefer.
Click to expand...

where do you get Delring and nylon?
 
I just hold one barrel at a time in my hand. You get a good thumb nail polish at the same time, just a bonus.:biggrin:
Just go slow and easy and you'll get the hang of it.:wink:
 
Bahahaha!!!

rherrell said:
I just hold one barrel at a time in my hand. You get a good thumb nail polish at the same time, just a bonus.:biggrin:
Just go slow and easy and you'll get the hang of it.:wink:
Click to expand...

I am not sure why, but it always makes me feel better to find out *I* am not the only person that does this!

.... shiniest fingernails in town :biggrin:
 
I also hold the barells in my hand. Just make sure you go from left side to the middle, than turn pen and repeat again. If you go all the way to the end of the pen, it will "grab" it on the right side and threw it from you hand. Not so good after making thick CA finish.
 
I just hold the barrel between the finger and thumb. Careful on the ends, they can get rolled. Have a radius to them.
 
Well sure enough when I came in to show the wife the new pen finish she commented on my newly shined thumb...:tongue:

G
 
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