Buffing alternatives

The Achilles' Heel of Luthiery
Kevin Sjostrand
Posts: 3712
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Looks really great.
I use a high speed buffer for my knife making. I don't have burn through issues, but I can tell you how quickly the wheel can grab what you are buffing right out of your hands. Caution and complete attention is a must.
For guitar buffing it must be run much slower, but the hazard still exists. I will one day set up a buffer for my guitar making, however for now, hand rubbing has worked satisfactorily.
I also agree though, that a power buffed finish might turn out better, but that probably depends much on the person, the compounds, the speed, the time spent, etc, etc, etc.
Just a couple of cents I had in my pocket :>)

Kevin
Ken Hundley
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Location: Wilmette, IL

Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by Ken Hundley »

Scary....having a buffing wheel grab a knife and throw it. Still have all your toes?
Ken Hundley
Nocturnal Guitars
http://www.nocturnalguitars.com

So, my big brother was playing guitar and I figured I'd try it too.
- Stevie Ray Vaughan
Kevin Sjostrand
Posts: 3712
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

I've had them hit the cement...but luckly missed! Actually I have not lost a knife in many many years, but now I just hold on tighter.

Kevin
penndan
Posts: 59
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:04 am

Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by penndan »

I just tried the Surbuf foam pads for random orbit sanders. Thick foam with velcro on the back and short hairy stuff on the buffing surface.
Image

I french polished the box, then buffed with some StewMac medium polishing compound and here's the result.
Image

Not quite the mirror finish of factory done lacquer, but better than I expected for a very easy finish. The neck is Tru Oiled.
tippie53
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Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by tippie53 »

I use a shop fox buffing arbor with a 1/4 hp 1725 motor this way I have all the speed and power but not enough to pull it out of my hands
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Kevin Sjostrand
Posts: 3712
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

Where did you buy the Surbuf? I was thinking a foam pad surface something like Stewmac.
One of my woodworking catalogs sells something too like this for the Orbital.

Kevin
penndan
Posts: 59
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:04 am

Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by penndan »

darren
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Location: Williams Bay, Wi
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Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by darren »

were you able to get the waist area with this?
Darren
penndan
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Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:04 am

Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by penndan »

darren wrote:were you able to get the waist area with this?

Yes, the pad is thick enough and bigger than the sander disk so that you can bend the edge into the waist.
darren
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Re: Buffing alternatives

Post by darren »

cool, thanks.
Darren
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