Let's See Your Buffer Setup

[AlabamaDan]

It’s a start and I’m able to implement for less than $10. I went to HF and bought a small polishing kit. The wheel is a little small, but it’s all they had. I was happy to get the mandrel. Can get a larger wheel when they have them in stock.



I took the two outermost rows of stitches out.

I got this drill when I was 16 years old. It mounts nicely in the vice and by plugging it into the strip in my bench I have an on and off switch.

I used a little Velcro strip to tie back the trigger at a speed that I think works.

Now I just need a bar of carnuba wax.

 

[AlabamaDan]

View attachment 17806

That's what I had, but I wanted something more.

 

[AlabamaDan]

Is this the right kind of carnauba wax?

Amazon.com: Carnauba Wax 5-1/2" x 2" x 5/8" : Automotive

Buy Carnauba Wax 5-1/2" x 2" x 5/8": Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[jaytex1969]

 

[tbradsim1]

Like the Old Westerns said I Polished Em Off..

 

[gamzultovah]

A horse hair shoe polish brush.

 

[ssjones]

Is this the right kind of carnauba wax?

Amazon.com: Carnauba Wax 5-1/2" x 2" x 5/8" : Automotive

Buy Carnauba Wax 5-1/2" x 2" x 5/8": Automotive - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Yep, I bought my bar from Beall about nine years ago. It's still over 80% of it's original size, you don't need much on the buff pad.

 

[mso489]

I like the shoe buffer. Sufficient but won't do any damage.

 

[AlabamaDan]

Yep, I bought my bar from Beall about nine years ago. It's still over 80% of it's original size, you don't need much on the buff pad.

Cool. Ordered. Thanks.

 

[AlabamaDan]

Yep, I bought my bar from Beall about nine years ago. It's still over 80% of it's original size, you don't need much on the buff pad.

OMG! It arrived today and what a HUGE difference it makes! If you're not using the buffing wheel and carnauba wax do it today. Using stuff I already had in the shop and $20 in new supplies I am in business!

In addition to all the pipes, I polished my wedding band! The wife is going to be happy.

 

[Parsimonious Piper]

A horse hair shoe polish brush.

Beat me to it. To date I haven’t stripped and restained any of the pipes I’ve cleaned up. My shoe brush has worked perfectly for the light buffing required.

 

[F4RM3R]

About as simple/ghetto as it gets.

 

[olkofri]

A horse hair shoe polish brush.
View attachment 18677

Hahaha, I was thinking of posting a pic of one when I saw your post.

That's what I use to buff leather. I could use it on a pipe; if it doesn't scratch leather it won't scratch wood.

I'm not sure I can use the only carnauba I have ? on pipes, though:

 

[gamzultovah]

Hahaha, I was thinking of posting a pic of one when I saw your post.

That's what I use to buff leather. I could use it on a pipe; if it doesn't scratch leather it won't scratch wood.

I'm not sure I can use the only carnauba I have ? on pipes, though:

You can, you just have to give the wax 5 to 10 minutes to set up first. A horse hair brush brings out the depth of a pipe (especially blasted and rusticated pipes) like nothing else can. Also, you will never get “buffer burn” if you polish the briar by hand. Even on my worst restoration jobs I only use micro-mesh pads, microfiber towels and a horse hair brush. The pipe below was in the worst condition you can imagine and still be considered functional...and look at it now. Look at the depth of the plateau and the wood grain. All done by hand and with a horse hair brush.

 

[olkofri]

Can you do the wash cleaning method after using carnauba? My MacQueen's manual says never to let the pipe get in contact with water because they used carnauba to finish it. But I'm thinking that if I can reapply carnauba, maybe I don't have to fret about getting it a bit wet.

 

[boston]

I tried to set one up once using a bench grinder, and lint from that fluffy wheel/disc/thing....whatever its called, flew everywhere. I never perfected it, and as a result only care for the pipes by hand polishng them.

 

[BROBS]

I tried to set one up once using a bench grinder, and lint from that fluffy wheel/disc/thing....whatever its called, flew everywhere.

Lol yeah that’s normal with a new wheel. ? ?

 

[woodsroad]

 

[AlabamaDan]

I tried to set one up once using a bench grinder, and lint from that fluffy wheel/disc/thing....whatever its called, flew everywhere. I never perfected it, and as a result only care for the pipes by hand polishng them.

I’ve got some of that but it’s getting better.

 

[gamzultovah]

Can you do the wash cleaning method after using carnauba? My MacQueen's manual says never to let the pipe get in contact with water because they used carnauba to finish it. But I'm thinking that if I can reapply carnauba, maybe I don't have to fret about getting it a bit wet.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. When I clean/restore a pipe they all look like hell midway through; the kind of hell that makes you think "Well, I've just screwed that pipe up." But in the end, they all look beautiful. A little water shouldn't hurt the briar at all.