Buffing Station Up!

[peteguy]

I have used that exact setup. The gentleman who owns it told me he would let me try it but to make sure I was ok with the pipe I wanted to learn being damaged. I told him I didn't understand, why would the buffer damage my pipe. He said that you will launch pipes like your on a pitching machine until you learn the right amount of pressure. He said this particular setup, while convenient and relatively inexpensive, is not ideal. YOU WILL LAUNCH PIPES!
So I said I would try it out on an old beater I had in the garage. Sure enough 30-45 seconds in and wham my pipe goes off the back wall and skitters across the floor. Didn't break it but did put a nice deep cut on it. I think I launched that pipe 3 more times. I did watch him buff a pipe and he didn't have any problems. His pipe came out beautifully. He said that he still launches one every now and again but just hopes it isn't a customers pipe.
Be careful with that one on nice pipes!

 

[tuold]

I've shattered my share of pipes and stems in pursuing my restoration hobby. Save the pieces and parts. You will need them at some point. Briar dust and superglue make a much better filler than the putty some factories used. You just have to use a dental pick and remove the old fill. Good for filling large cracks too. Of course you never know when you might need that extra stem.

 

[faust]

Really cool setup, hoping to get myself one soon. Great finishin the savs :D

 

[metarzan]

Thanks again for all of the advice. I think I have the kung-fu yet delicate grip down pretty good now. Just made a tamper for the exchange I need to go post as well.

 

[ssjones]

Nice setup! I do use a finger in the bowl as well to stablize and keep the pipe secure. Good job buffing with the stem mounted, you won't round corners that way.
I used an old hacksaw blade taped on one end for a rake for a long time. Recently, at Eastwood, I bought proper rack and learned it works far better than the hacksaw blade. It really cleaned my buffs.

 

[durham270]

Very nice indeed! I like your setup.

 

[antbauers]

....I want one.

 

[metarzan]

I have been buffing everything in sight and my wife is jealous of my high gloss fingernails. Must have for a pipe collector.

 

[cmdrmcbragg]

Very cool. I need to upgrade, the dremel is an inferior system for this task.

 

[bentmike]

That is a cool setup. I never saw a three position mandrel. That is great for pipe polishing.

 

[ejames]

I have been buffing everything in sight and my wife is jealous of my high gloss fingernails. Must have for a pipe collector.

I will have to remember that! I have a bad habit of getting my fingernails into the belt of my belt sander.leaves them looking kinda rough!!

 

[metarzan]

@briarblues

Great suggestions. Though I always wear a leopard skin loin-cloth, a leather apron sounds much more thorough. Will work on the no finger in the bowl technique as well, which I think will be made easier by #4, less pressure. The last pipe I worked on I went ahead and took it down to near bare wood. Much easier to strip finish than I would have imagined even with medium pressure. I have been wearing safety glasses but had no idea about the tripoli particulate. Silicates similar to sand blasting? Will do on the dust mask too. Thanks again for tips and suggestions from everyone. I have to go get buffing!

 

[owen]

what buffing compound/polish/wax is used?

 

[metarzan]

what buffing compound/polish/wax is used?

Start with Tripoli, the coarse rust colored compound. Then White Diamond, the white finer compound. Finish up with Carnuba Wax for final shine. Apparently there is Blue Diamond compound as well but not in my setup.

 

[puffnw]

Love the setup! I am relocating next week and get my own little shop in the new house so poking around for ideas. I also wanted to add a lathe to my new shop so this looks to be perfect, thanks for the inspiration!

 

[derrickyoung]

great results and some noted tips for myself moving forward.