Buffing, polishing, restoring.

Skyguyz · May 5, 2011

Well, My first attempt at polishing went rather well. I got my stuff from Caswell's yesterday and set it up and ran a few small parts. It will take some time to perfect the technique but so far I am rather impressed so far. Thanks to the forum members who guided me in the right direction. Now what else can I make shiny!

(Some dirty and some polished parts for comparison)

William

DogT · May 5, 2011

OH, NO, another buffing monster.

Dave
69S

bwolfie · May 5, 2011

Once you start the disease consumes you, watch out!!

Hobot · May 5, 2011

Too late now he's infected now and ripe to fling a finished part to the floor.

Skyguyz · May 6, 2011

hobot:

Too late now he's infected now and ripe to fling a finished part to the floor.

Hummmm. Not if you are wise enough to put a cardboard box with an old pillow stuffed in behind the wheel to "catch" a part that might get away.

It's an old buffers trick, but you already knew that right?

Hobot · May 6, 2011

Ugh, of course I'm smart enough to even write about protective cushions yet too lazy dumb to actually practice what I preach with such gleaming objects in hand.
But hey if ya infected as me - its just excuse to start over and do it some more ...
and feed the fever!

DarbyGloss · Aug 31, 2013

DogT said:
You can get a half decent double spindle 3/4 HP buffer from Harbor Freight for about $80 delivered. I found it best to hold small pieces with pliers and use gloves, hat and best a face shield. Keep a metal detector around for zinged parts. I did it all outside, it was just too messy inside. I mounted the buffer on 2 angle irons about 18" off the edge of an old heavy shooting table on the patio. It's boring and messy, but once you polish something you want to go back and do some more, the bowls on the Amal's can look like chrome. Read Caswell's article on buffing, it's a good start, but experience is paramount. I understand the real pro's use real heavy duty HP buffers and even will buff with layers of cardboard to melt the metal and get rid of the pits. That will never happen with the Harbor Freight buffer. For the expense, it's probably worth it to send it out, but re-doing it gets expensive.

Dave
69S

What is the metal detector used for?

Hobot · Aug 31, 2013

Even i know that's a joke to find a once nice piece among shop clutter, so proper seasoned buffers in the know, have carpet padded wall to wall floor to ceiling and the buffer too, sheeze. I use my detector to find nuts and stuff on my driveway or grass that I can't see just laying on top, uhg. What no one else bike does that now and again?

DogT · Aug 31, 2013

Metal detector is for the zinged parts. I use the buffer outside and keep cardboard shields around, but when they fly, they fly!