Buff Much? Casualties of EBay

[danielplainview]

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I'm assuming when we see examples like that, it's because the stem and stummel are buffed separately?

 

[sablebrush52]

I'm assuming when we see examples like that, it's because the stem and stummel are buffed separately?

Yes, and for hours on end. Buffers are the WMD's of the pipe world.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Buffers are the WMD's of the pipe world.

And Dremmels too, I think. I see people recommend using a Dremmel or other rotary tool on Facebook for one thing or another all the time. And the thought just scares the crap out of me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I've used the pen tool for polishing, but it was connected to a larger variable speed Dremel tool. Nice and slow.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I've used the pen tool for polishing,

:mrgreen:

 

[Chasing Embers]

:rofl:
Just done a lot of carving with it. At slow speeds, it's hard to cause damage.

 

[ssjones]

Just for fun, a couple of months ago, I put a basket base, sandblasted Sasieni 4 Dot on my buffer and hit it hard with White Diamond. I really pushed but was hard-pressed to notice any unusual wear (on the briar). To cause damaged like on the stem that Dave posted, that take some deliberate abuse. Sad, you cannot unring that bell.

 

[gloucesterman]

If you look at the top view there is some significant scratching that strongly suggests more than buffing. I suspect that bit was subjected so some pretty aggressive sanding with a heavy grit while off the shank.

 

[georged]

Over-buffing? Impossible. Unless the wood's smokin' and the rubber's meltin', ya ain't doin' it right. RPM rules!!!
This guy has the right idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ6w7MJLNLA

 

[briarblues]

Al, you'd need to press extremely firmly for a long period of time with white diamond to create that kind of wear. However, with Tripoli, it can be done within minutes. In the wrong hands with too much pressure, Tripoli can turn a black sand blast into a smooth natural finish.
Regards

Michael J. Glukler

 

[ssjones]

Michael, yep Tripoli is an eraser and for the most part, has no place on a pipe restoration bench. I learned to polish metal (aluminum & stainless motorcycle parts) long before pipes and quickly learned to put my Tripoli and sisal wheel away.

 

[ashdigger]

I was looking at an old Dunhill the other day, but it was buffed to death. I was going to post a pic here, but someone bought it. Oh well, it resembled the first pic in this thread.

 

[piffyr]

I'm assuming when we see examples like that, it's because the stem and stummel are buffed separately?

Yep. Always a terrible idea.

If you look at the top view there is some significant scratching that strongly suggests more than buffing.

Another yep. No electric power necessary. These two City de Luxe stems were ruined with nothing more than sandpaper and Mico-Mesh pads (disclaimer: not my work)...

 

[Chasing Embers]

Wow, I use sandpaper and micromesh all the time and haven't caused anything like that. That's some serious scrubbing!

 

[headhunter]

I will not buy a pipe if it has been buffed, no matter how much I Ike it. I can use micromesh paper on the stems and wax and elbow grease on the entire pipe and am completely satisfied with the results.

 

[uperepik]

There's nothing wrong with buffing a pipe. Every pipe you've ever seen has hit a buffing wheel at some point. I'm not sure how you could even do what that guy did on accident. I've taking a clunker pipe with a totally brown stem and and just went crazy on the wheel just to see and it still looked nothing like that. That's pretty impressive

 

[mso489]

MIsused buffers, Dremmels, and let's not forget reamers. Reamers used wrong will fix a pipe right up ... for the landfill.

 

[danielplainview]

Buffing should be applied like seasoning. A little dab will do you. I had to post that when I seen it. I’ve seen so many rare old classics ruined this way. There’s no shortcuts if you want it done right. You have to put in the grunt work.
Shiny sells on the bay

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Thank You dear Gentlemen for bringing up this interesting learning lesson,especially I'was amused to learn about the effects of Dremel drill,must confess,I've been done that road before,with various results.

Well,lets assume,stem being oxidized and I'm to remove this oxidation using good reliable sanding method,wondering how on the earth one can properly sand the whole stem if its not separated from the stummel/mortise?

+ 1 for Anthony76.