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Post by miket on May 31, 2024 22:35:36 GMT -5
I'm considering getting a bench top buffer- does anyone have any recommendations and/or advice?
Thanks!
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Post by vegasjames on May 31, 2024 22:45:53 GMT -5
I use a Harbor Freight buffer. Works great. Might want to put it is a plastic box or something in case the cab goes flying to help prevent breaking the cab.
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Post by miket on May 31, 2024 22:49:32 GMT -5
I use a Harbor Freight buffer. Works great. Might want to put it is a plastic box or something in case the cab goes flying to help prevent breaking the cab. Hopefully not a dumb question, but do you need polish? |
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Post by vegasjames on May 31, 2024 22:57:04 GMT -5
I use a Harbor Freight buffer. Works great. Might want to put it is a plastic box or something in case the cab goes flying to help prevent breaking the cab. Hopefully not a dumb question, but do you need polish? I use Zam (a hard wax with aluminum oxide and chrome oxide polishes in it) on the buffing wheels to polish my softer stone cabs such as red selenite, some of the copper ores, etc.
With the buffing wheel spinning, I expose a little of the Zam by peeling back the paper tube, and quickly and lightly bump the exposed Zam against the buffing wheel. This will melt a small amount of the Zam on the buffing wheel. Then I buff the stones recharging the buffing wheel with a tiny bit more Zam as needed.
If too much Zam is put on the wheel, it can leave a dull, waxy finish on the cab, so don't over do the Zam on the buffing wheel.
Also, always use the same buffing compound on the buffing wheel. If you are going to use some other buffing compound than you have been using on that wheel, put a new, clean buffing wheel on to use specifically for that new buffing compound.
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Post by miket on May 31, 2024 23:00:38 GMT -5
Hopefully not a dumb question, but do you need polish? I use Zam (a hard wax with aluminum oxide and chrome oxide polishes in it) on the buffing wheels to polish my softer stone cabs such as red selenite, some of the copper ores, etc.
With the buffing wheel spinning, I expose a little of the Zam by peeling back the paper tube, and quickly and lightly bump the exposed Zam against the buffing wheel. This will melt a small amount of the Zam on the buffing wheel. Then I buff the stones recharging the buffing wheel with a tiny bit more Zam as needed.
If too much Zam is put on the wheel, it can leave a dull, waxy finish on the cab, so don't over do the Zam on the buffing wheel.
Also, always use the same buffing compound on the buffing wheel. If you are going to use some other buffing compound than you have been using on that wheel, put a new, clean buffing wheel on to use specifically for that new buffing compound.
Thanks James! |
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Post by miket on May 31, 2024 23:36:18 GMT -5
Do buffers help with harder stones as well, or not really vegasjames? |
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Post by Pat on May 31, 2024 23:50:10 GMT -5
Using a magic marker, I write above each wheel on the machine what is on that wheel. I’d never remember!
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Post by miket on Jun 1, 2024 0:04:11 GMT -5
Using a magic marker, I write above each wheel on the machine what is on that wheel. I’d never remember!  |
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Post by liveoak on Jun 1, 2024 6:15:20 GMT -5
I have 2 buffers, (both I got used & are old but work fine),
One is Red Wing, one is a Baldor, they are sold as "dental lathes".
They have a 3/8" tapered shafts that take an arbor made for "pin hole" wheels.
I used mine with 4"wheels.
The thing to look for is a buffer with 2 speeds, 1725/3450.
I rarely/never use the high speed.
Patty
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Post by vegasjames on Jun 1, 2024 7:25:36 GMT -5
Do buffers help with harder stones as well, or not really vegasjames ? No, they will not harden the stone, but the wax buffing materials like Zam can seal the softer stones so they will not be affected by things like acids on the skin, exposure to liquids, etc. |
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Post by miket on Jun 1, 2024 7:53:04 GMT -5
I have 2 buffers, (both I got used & are old but work fine), One is Red Wing, one is a Baldor, they are sold as "dental lathes". They have a 3/8" tapered shafts that take an arbor made for "pin hole" wheels. I used mine with 4"wheels. The thing to look for is a buffer with 2 speeds, 1725/3450. I rarely/never use the high speed. Patty Thanks Patty! |
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Post by miket on Jun 1, 2024 7:55:30 GMT -5
Do buffers help with harder stones as well, or not really vegasjames ? No, they will not harden the stone, but the wax buffing materials like Zam can seal the softer stones so they will not be affected by things like acids on the skin, exposure to liquids, etc. I meant can I get a better shine on harder stones like agates? But I didn't know that Zam would seal the rocks, that's interesting! Thanks again |
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Post by vegasjames on Jun 1, 2024 7:59:55 GMT -5
No, they will not harden the stone, but the wax buffing materials like Zam can seal the softer stones so they will not be affected by things like acids on the skin, exposure to liquids, etc. I meant can I get a better shine on harder stones like agates? But I didn't know that Zam would seal the rocks, that's interesting! Thanks again Never tried it on an agate, but the wax does not create a super high shine, and can actually dull the shine of softer stones if too much. I would think the wax would likely dull the agates as well.
I know some cabbers run their harder cabs in a vibe tumbler to help increase shine.
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Post by miket on Jun 1, 2024 9:52:13 GMT -5
I meant can I get a better shine on harder stones like agates? But I didn't know that Zam would seal the rocks, that's interesting! Thanks again Never tried it on an agate, but the wax does not create a super high shine, and can actually dull the shine of softer stones if too much. I would think the wax would likely dull the agates as well.
I know some cabbers run their harder cabs in a vibe tumbler to help increase shine.
I used to run them in a tumbler when I used a dremel- I wonder if you just do a quick run with polish and plastics? If anyone has tried this I'd love to hear how it works! I think I may still get a buffer and try it. |
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Nov 14, 2024 18:17:57 GMT -5
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Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
Nov 15, 2024 17:44:51 GMT -5
