Buffing finish question..

[Mkorish]

What kind of finishes are good to use on a lathe buffer?
I do mostly pens and small stuff with a mix of wood/wood resin mix. Looking to get that eye catching good finish.
I am starting to do small bowls too.

Thanks a head of time...

 

[NJturner]

I use a Beall Buff 3 wheel setup on my lathe for wood buffing, using the two provided polish bars (red and white) plus the carnuba wax as the last step. I buff pretty much everything, as it seems to push any finish up a notch. I use CA, GluBoost, Mylands, and occasionally a BLO/shellac finish and all go on the buffer. If I am purely doing a CA or GluBoost finish, I have a second setup of only two wheels I bought from Barry Gross. On this one I use the blue polish bar on the first wheel and nothing on the second. Again, everything goes to the buffer. I think the extra step adds a nice luster to everything, but just be sure to properly prepare your piece before going to the buffer, as the buff should be a 'tweak' to the finish, not a fix. If you get to aggressive with the buffers you will burn through your finish and have a mess on your hands.

 

[egnald]

All I can comment on is that I buff CA (regular and GluBoost) as well as some non-finished plastic blanks (primarily Inlace Acrylester and Rhino Plastic). I haven't buffed any friction polished pieces yet, but I would guess that at least the softest buffing wheels would improve it.

Dave

PS I also fashioned a tapered dowel with a handle that I can stick into an open end on tubed blanks to help me hold it when buffing -- helps hold it secure enough to rotate and it keeps my clumsy fingers out of the way.

 

[Mkorish]

What are good tips (steps)for a beginner?

Recommended buffing set ups with out breaking the bank.

 

[dogcatcher]

Buffing-- kicked up a notch!

If you like your buffing finishes on your CA finished or acrylic pens and are content with the shine they give you then read no further. However if you want to kick the gloss up a notch you might consider trying this..... 1. Visit Caswell plating 2. Order a few Canton flannel buffs. These...

www.penturners.org

 

[TonyL]

Here's what I do. It is in the library and the her is the link: 4 Stage Buffing System