HF Buffing wheels

[Justturnin]

Does anyone use the HF buffing wheels? I am wanting to set up a buffer but I don't have the $70 needed to get my hands on a Beall setup but I can get 3 HF wheels for $12 plus the cost of Tripoli and Carnuba (I have a 4lb block of white diamond). Are the HF wheels any good?

Also, the link below shows 3 different wheels. Which wheel take which compound? I will be using Tripoli, White Rough and Wax.

3 Piece 8" Buffing Wheel Set

 

[Bigj51]

I bought my buffer and wheels from Harbor Freight. I think they work well.

 

[PTownSubbie]

Does anyone use the HF buffing wheels? I am wanting to set up a buffer but I don't have the $70 needed to get my hands on a Beall setup but I can get 3 HF wheels for $12 plus the cost of Tripoli and Carnuba (I have a 4lb block of white diamond). Are the HF wheels any good?

Also, the link below shows 3 different wheels. Which wheel take which compound? I will be using Tripoli, White Rough and Wax.

3 Piece 8" Buffing Wheel Set

Chris,

I have had mine for almost 3 years. Check out this thread. The link I have in there shows a homemade system that cost me a lot less to make.

Hope it helps!

Fred

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f30/buffing-systems-67938/#post1091377

http://www.penturners.org/forum/879597-post4.html

 

[dogcatcher]

I use the HF wheels on metal, I know they are good enough for that, but have Caswell Plating for my woodturning. I think the Caswell are better quality.

I set my system up by getting 1/2" bolts that are 4" long and cut the head off the bolts, with washers and 2 nuts to hold the wheel in place. I can use it on my lathe using my drill chuck in the headstock and the tailstock holding the wheel in place. There should be a photo somewhere n IAP. I don't have any photos of the setup on my new laptop.

 

[frank123]

I use both the HF wheels and some more expensive wheels I bought from a knife material supplier to buff metal.

Can't tell the difference.

Be sure of the stitching you want to get, tightly stitched concentric stitching is far more aggressive than loose stitching and spiral stitched somewhere in between. Sisal wheels are far more aggressive than either, but I don't think HF has them. You want to be polishing, not grinding.

 

[Justturnin]

Chris,

I have had mine for almost 3 years. Check out this thread. The link I have in there shows a homemade system that cost me a lot less to make.

Hope it helps!

Fred

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f30/buffing-systems-67938/#post1091377

http://www.penturners.org/forum/879597-post4.html

Thanks Fred. That is exactly what I planned on doing w/ mine but having the link helps a lot.

What wheels do you use for which compound? I am thinking the stitched for Tripoli, the cotton for WD and flannel for wax.

 

[KenV]

Chris --

Think more wheels and different compounds if you want to buff to scratch free with acrylics.

Think of 10X magniification

 

[Justturnin]

Chris --

Think more wheels and different compounds if you want to buff to scratch free with acrylics.

Think of 10X magniification

What other compounds would you recommend? I did see a blue but was not sure it was necessary. The rest seemed to be more aggressive. I typically take my pens through the 12k MM then use a high gloss polish.

 

[ghostrider]

Does anyone use the HF buffing wheels? I am wanting to set up a buffer but I don't have the $70 needed to get my hands on a Beall setup but I can get 3 HF wheels for $12 plus the cost of Tripoli and Carnuba (I have a 4lb block of white diamond). Are the HF wheels any good?

Also, the link below shows 3 different wheels. Which wheel take which compound? I will be using Tripoli, White Rough and Wax.

3 Piece 8" Buffing Wheel Set

Chris,

I have had mine for almost 3 years. Check out this thread. The link I have in there shows a homemade system that cost me a lot less to make.

Hope it helps!

Fred

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f30/buffing-systems-67938/#post1091377

http://www.penturners.org/forum/879597-post4.html

While I also use these, I went and bought this for my wax cycle.

8" Buffing Wheel at Menards

It's a very soft, loose, cotton buff.

 

[TerryDowning]

I get my wheels at Sears.

Stitched for tripoli this is the one that removes the sanding scratches

loose flannel for white buffing compound (Removes the scratches from the tripoli) and Blue plastic compound (removes the scratches from the white and final polish on CA and resin blanks).

I have heard that string buffs work well for the white and blue as well. I have never tried these though.

Remember to use both a Cut Stroke using the top of the wheel pushing into the rotation of the buff to cut through the material and remove scratches from the previous grit and a color stroke using the bottom of the wheel slowly pushing with the rotation of the buff. This is less aggressive than the cut stroke and prepares the work for the next compound.