Buffing Wood

childzplay

childzplay

Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
202
What do you use to buff wood handles with? Unfortunately I don't have a variable speed buffer, only the 3450 RPM type. Is there a special compound? Any tips?
 
i dont know for sure, but it would probably be with an oil, and you probly want to go continuously with the grain
 
I never buff wood with a buffing compound, I will apply wax or oil and buff with a clean buffing pad (no compound). I also use a turning finish call Hut Crystal Coat with buffs really nice.
 
Many hard woods can be buffed with standard green or white compounds.
3450 is very fast, and it will be easy to burn the wood unless you use a very light touch.
 
Ah, very interesting George. Thanks everyone. For my latest I used tung oil but it's not pure tung oil, it's a blend. I bought some tru oil and am planning on using this going forward. The tung oil looks nice but after handling the knife the sheen is uneven. It goes from semigloss to matte where it's being held. It's curly KOA so the semigloss really brings out the depth of the wood. When it goes back to matte, it's not so beautiful. Maybe this is normal? The knife is for my boss who's also my best friend so I really want it to be as beautiful as possible with minimal degredation after handling.
 
Your 3450 buffer will be fine. No it is not ideal. It's what you have... Deal with it. Go light on the touch and be careful on the corners and you won't have any problems. I like Fabulustre compound for handle material. Zam is also good or white rouge. Just be careful not to let your buffer grab the knife. It really is the most dangerous piece of equipment in the shop.
Matt Doyle
 
george tichbourne said:
Ignore the speed and adjust the surface feet per minute by dropping the diameter of the buff to around 4".

George
Click to expand...


I never thought about that! One revolution on a 8" buff is alot more than one revolution on a 4".

4" buff at 3450 RPM = 3612 FPM
6" buff at 3450 RPM = 5418 FPM
8" buff at 3450 RPM = 7224 FPM

So, theoretically, a 4" buff on a 3450 RPM buffer is equal to a 8" buff on a 1725 RPM grinder.

Very cool for those of you who were stressing about buffer speeds.
 
childzplay said:
Ah, very interesting George. Thanks everyone. For my latest I used tung oil but it's not pure tung oil, it's a blend. I bought some tru oil and am planning on using this going forward. The tung oil looks nice but after handling the knife the sheen is uneven. It goes from semigloss to matte where it's being held. It's curly KOA so the semigloss really brings out the depth of the wood. When it goes back to matte, it's not so beautiful. Maybe this is normal? The knife is for my boss who's also my best friend so I really want it to be as beautiful as possible with minimal degredation after handling.
Click to expand...
it may just be that you need to add a couple more coats of oil with proper curing times between coats, or go with a top coat of paste wax to even out the sheen.
I have had good luck using an old sock for my final polish on many hardwoods.
 
tung oil then mother's billet metal polish applied by hand with a paper towel. makes wood look like glass in minutes.
 
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