So I’ve started on my pipe restoration journey, and have been trying to ease into it, which is quite atypical for me as I usually jump into something head-first. Anyway, I’ve been practicing some techniques, primarily stem oxidation removal, and after several months of sandpaper and micro-mesh pads, I decided to pick up an inexpensive buffer.
Typically I’m a firm believer in getting what you pay for, but in this case, I was willing to make a smaller outlay for something of possibly questionable (cheap) quality, in order to get some practice and see how I got along with it. I picked up an import 4” variable-speed buffer for close to $50 from Amazon, and the first bars of Tripoli and White Diamond that came up in my search. I also found additional 4” wheels on jet.com and got a puck of carnuba from Vermont Freehand.
Once everything came in and I got it setup in a corner of the garage, I was ready for a practice run.
I turned it on at the lowest speed, raked out the wheels with a metal back-scratcher, and attempted to load some Tripoli.
Nothing happened. Not even a dent to the slab of compound, no coloration on the wheel. I thought it needed to get a little hotter, so I sped it up. Still nothing. Eventually after playing around with speeds and pressure, I managed to get what seemed to me like a reasonable amount on the wheel.
I then tried to do some buffing on a stem, but was getting little to no results! What was going on? Had YouTube lied to me? Buffing looked so simple, it was obviously not something I was doing wrong
I did some more research and found some training type videos for a jewelers buffing setup from the manufacturer.
In the video, when he loaded the compound he barely touched it to the wheel and it immediately was loaded.
I had a feeling the cheap giant bars of compound may be causing some problems, so I looked around and ordered a couple smaller bars of more-expensive, name-brand Dialux Rouge and Blanc.
My goodness what a difference!
Just a quick touch to the wheel loaded it up nicely and then I was able to get a very nice buff and then a glass-like polish!
Sorry for the rambling post, but the moral of my story is this:
You can probably get away scrimping on the buffer, but buy the best compound you can afford.
I have several pipes on deck, a few BBB’s, and a couple Marxman’s - before and after pics to come!
Thanks for your patience
TampaPete
Typically I’m a firm believer in getting what you pay for, but in this case, I was willing to make a smaller outlay for something of possibly questionable (cheap) quality, in order to get some practice and see how I got along with it. I picked up an import 4” variable-speed buffer for close to $50 from Amazon, and the first bars of Tripoli and White Diamond that came up in my search. I also found additional 4” wheels on jet.com and got a puck of carnuba from Vermont Freehand.
Once everything came in and I got it setup in a corner of the garage, I was ready for a practice run.
I turned it on at the lowest speed, raked out the wheels with a metal back-scratcher, and attempted to load some Tripoli.
Nothing happened. Not even a dent to the slab of compound, no coloration on the wheel. I thought it needed to get a little hotter, so I sped it up. Still nothing. Eventually after playing around with speeds and pressure, I managed to get what seemed to me like a reasonable amount on the wheel.
I then tried to do some buffing on a stem, but was getting little to no results! What was going on? Had YouTube lied to me? Buffing looked so simple, it was obviously not something I was doing wrong
I did some more research and found some training type videos for a jewelers buffing setup from the manufacturer.
In the video, when he loaded the compound he barely touched it to the wheel and it immediately was loaded.
I had a feeling the cheap giant bars of compound may be causing some problems, so I looked around and ordered a couple smaller bars of more-expensive, name-brand Dialux Rouge and Blanc.
My goodness what a difference!
Just a quick touch to the wheel loaded it up nicely and then I was able to get a very nice buff and then a glass-like polish!
Sorry for the rambling post, but the moral of my story is this:
You can probably get away scrimping on the buffer, but buy the best compound you can afford.
I have several pipes on deck, a few BBB’s, and a couple Marxman’s - before and after pics to come!
Thanks for your patience
TampaPete
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