Alternative to using felt polishing pads with the Dremel moto tool? Recommendations?

MTHall720

MTHall720

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Sep 21, 2010
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I have just started using my Dremel to polish some blades. I got the round felt pads and was using Flitz and similar paste polish. Problem is that the felt particles fly all over and bother my allergies. The paste polish also tends to fly off. I was wondering if there is something else I can use, such as rubber pads maybe? Is there a better alternative to using the paste polish, like maybe jeweler's rouge?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
Dremels are not suitable for polishing blades. The wheel contact area is too small for consistent results.
A cheap bench grinder and real buffing compound will save you a lot of headaches, as will fine grit hand sanding.
 
MTHall720 said:
I have just started using my Dremel to polish some blades. I got the round felt pads and was using Flitz and similar paste polish. Problem is that the felt particles fly all over and bother my allergies. The paste polish also tends to fly off. I was wondering if there is something else I can use, such as rubber pads maybe? Is there a better alternative to using the paste polish, like maybe jeweler's rouge?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Click to expand...

It's do-able. The felt particles flying off can be minimized somewhat by keeping the pressure very light, especially near the edge or spine of the blade. Also, more felt tends to come off when the wheel is new, so using it a bit will gradually diminish that. A dust mask isn't a bad idea, in general. Using very light pressure will also minimize the 'inconsistent' results, as mentioned earlier. Move the Dremel in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the wheel, that helps also.

As for the paste polish flying off, it works just as well if you let it dry before doing the buffing. You could even apply it to the blade by hand, let it dry, then buff it with the felt wheel. A little paste goes a long way, so there's no need to apply it too heavily.

Depending on how refined the finish is on your blade before you start, and how far you want to take it, you can enhance the results by doing some sanding with wet/dry sandpaper ahead of the polishing. The polish by itself won't make a mirror finish from a satin finish. 400/600 grit will produce a satin finish, 800 will refine that further, 1000 will begin to produce a little 'mirror' effect, and 2000 & beyond will really make it shine. After that, the polish will really make it pop. A flexible rubber eraser, such as what might be used for drawing/drafting, makes a nice sanding block. It's soft & flexible enough to conform to the contours of the blade, to produce a nice, even finish without 'digging in' or producing flat spots. Keep the sanding in one direction only for each grit stage, that'll produce a much more uniform finish. When switching to the next grit, move in one direction, but switch to a direction perpendicular to the previous grit.
 
I'd agree with Bill. I've polished blades with a rotary tool and the results were not as consistent as I wanted. They are great for getting into confined areas where a buffing wheel won't fit but the felt attachments are too small and can easily dig in if you apply pressure at an angle. And the motor is usually too weak for hard polishing.

I use white polishing compound on a 6" x 1" hard felt wheel mounted on a variable speed bench grinder. This produces the consistently smooth and mirror finish that is desired. I also use it to polish edges after sharpening for razor sharp blades that glide through most materials. :)

HTH,
Dave
 
Thanks very much to all! I love to have as high a shine as I can get on my blades, as well as a smooth surface.
 
David would you say a sanding block for use by hand? I have tried some fine grit on a practice knife blade using a palm sander. Definitely not the results I had hoped for. With the hand sanding do you apply anything to the blade other than the wet sand paper?
 
I hope thus doesn't sound too basic a question, but with the belt grinder can it be clamped to a table top for use if there is no work Bench to nail it or screw it into?
 
BENCH grinder, not belt grinder.
I guess you could clamp one down.
 
MTHall720 said:
David would you say a sanding block for use by hand? I have tried some fine grit on a practice knife blade using a palm sander. Definitely not the results I had hoped for. With the hand sanding do you apply anything to the blade other than the wet sand paper?
Click to expand...

Yes, I was referring to using the rubber eraser by hand. I just wrap a piece of the sandpaper around the eraser lengthwise (cut the paper to match the width of the block). And I don't apply anything to the blade, when using the sandpaper. In fact, I use that dry. A little bit dusty that way, but it'll keep the knife dry (this is more important with folders, especially if they're not stainless).
 
You can do this easily. Dremel sells little felt wheels....they do a good job of restoring straight razors/removing surface of the knife/razor you are working with.

Those work well, but there are better options. You can buy a set of these little plastic wheels, like a pinwheel but with 15-ish hands. They are called 3M Radial Bristle Discs and come in grits from 80 all the way up to 6 and 1 micron for polishing or cleaning/light grinding.

http://www.fdjtool.com/category.asp...www.fdjtool.com/category.aspx?categoryID=1086

I would suggest googling around for some more companies and buy a variety set if it's something you like doing - also, 3/4" discs are better for smaller jobs and 1" bigger jobs or getting jobs done quicker. Also, buy some extra attachment pieces so you can have all of the grits set up at the same time. It also helps to stack 3 or 4 of the same type on one of the mandrels.....it gives you a wider area that gets abraded or polished to make it go quicker. Also, just having a single disc makes tight jobs easy since they are fairly thin.

Email me if you have any other questions - there are more things out there. I really like the felt discs for restoring/removing rust and the fine ones give a good satin finish if you do it right. Don't buy the dremel branded ones.....the place you get the 3m radial discs from should have them. You need to google for Jewelry Cleaning Supplies/Tools/Attachments.....they are the people who sell them as they are intended for cleaning and polishing jewelry.

http://www.sfjssantafe.com/items.ph...ristle+Disc+Kit+3/4"&DepId=tools&Gid=272&at=1

I've bought from Santa Fe before - here's an example set. You might need to go into their online catalog to check what colored wheels correspond to what grits.

There are also other rubberized polishers that work great. One of them is in the first link - Cratex or something similar. There are tons and tons of options for you if you like using your dremel. I love using the flex shaft and polishing or abrasive wheels or tools - it's amazing what they can do.


No heat, no messy compounds, no kidding. 21st century finishing technology. High RPM (15,000) and light touch recommended (their words, not mine).

3/4"
http://www.sfjssantafe.com/itemstable.php?Gid=271&ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools&ot=&at=

1"
http://www.sfjssantafe.com/itemstable.php?Gid=269&ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools&ot=&at=

Polishing Section that includes various kits and other items
http://www.sfjssantafe.com/itemlist.php?ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools

Take a look around but I'd suggest either a kit or just the 6 and 1 micron grits. Also, not all grits are available in each size I think.
 
Now y'all got me tempted to break out one of my Dremels.
 
obsessis said:
You can do this easily. Dremel sells little felt wheels....they do a good job of restoring straight razors/removing surface of the knife/razor you are working with.

Those work well, but there are better options. You can buy a set of these little plastic wheels, like a pinwheel but with 15-ish hands. They are called 3M Radial Bristle Discs and come in grits from 80 all the way up to 6 and 1 micron for polishing or cleaning/light grinding.

http://www.fdjtool.com/category.asp...www.fdjtool.com/category.aspx?categoryID=1086

I would suggest googling around for some more companies and buy a variety set if it's something you like doing - also, 3/4" discs are better for smaller jobs and 1" bigger jobs or getting jobs done quicker. Also, buy some extra attachment pieces so you can have all of the grits set up at the same time. It also helps to stack 3 or 4 of the same type on one of the mandrels.....it gives you a wider area that gets abraded or polished to make it go quicker. Also, just having a single disc makes tight jobs easy since they are fairly thin.

Email me if you have any other questions - there are more things out there. I really like the felt discs for restoring/removing rust and the fine ones give a good satin finish if you do it right. Don't buy the dremel branded ones.....the place you get the 3m radial discs from should have them. You need to google for Jewelry Cleaning Supplies/Tools/Attachments.....they are the people who sell them as they are intended for cleaning and polishing jewelry.

http://www.sfjssantafe.com/items.ph...ristle+Disc+Kit+3/4"&DepId=tools&Gid=272&at=1

I've bought from Santa Fe before - here's an example set. You might need to go into their online catalog to check what colored wheels correspond to what grits.

There are also other rubberized polishers that work great. One of them is in the first link - Cratex or something similar. There are tons and tons of options for you if you like using your dremel. I love using the flex shaft and polishing or abrasive wheels or tools - it's amazing what they can do.


No heat, no messy compounds, no kidding. 21st century finishing technology. High RPM (15,000) and light touch recommended (their words, not mine).

3/4"
http://www.sfjssantafe.com/itemstable.php?Gid=271&ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools&ot=&at=

1"
http://www.sfjssantafe.com/itemstable.php?Gid=269&ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools&ot=&at=

Polishing Section that includes various kits and other items
http://www.sfjssantafe.com/itemlist.php?ItemSet=Polishing&DepId=tools

Take a look around but I'd suggest either a kit or just the 6 and 1 micron grits. Also, not all grits are available in each size I think.
Click to expand...

Thanks again very much. Great resources my friend!
 
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