flap discs

[The Old Dog]

I watched a you tube video this am on the use of Pferd polivlies and polifan curve flap discs. I am looking for a faster way to polish axe heads and am inquiring if any of the crew uses these products or what works for you. Thanks, Dog

 

[Hickory n steel]

Most here ( including me ) don't polish up old axe heads, they're only new once and usually didn't come polished originally.
Patina is usually preferred around here, a wire wheel to remove rust while leaving the patina is generally the method of choice.

I'm not sure who / where else you'll be able to ask, maybe one of the YouTube channels that " restore " stuff ?
There's a guy Scoutcrafter who loves to polish up old tools, maybe ask him in the YouTube comments what flap disks he uses.

 

[The Old Dog]

Most here ( including me ) don't polish up old axe heads, they're only new once and usually didn't come polished originally.
Patina is usually preferred around here, a wire wheel to remove rust while leaving the patina is generally the method of choice.

I'm not sure who / where else you'll be able to ask, maybe one of the YouTube channels that " restore " stuff ?
There's a guy Scoutcrafter who loves to polish up old tools, maybe ask him in the YouTube comments what flap disks he uses.

I do it both ways. I have polished a few to a mirror finish (lot of work) But mostly clean them up to a point. Thanks, Dog

 

[Hickory n steel]

I do it both ways. I have polished a few to a mirror finish (lot of work) But mostly clean them up to a point. Thanks, Dog

Maybe ask some of the knife makers ?
There's a chance some of these companies that are popular with the bladesmiths here make both belts and flap disks with the same abrasives.

 

[Gato do mato]

Of course, everyone has their own taste for the appearance of the blades. I prefer to keep the patina on axes. I clean with a wire brush and polish only the wire.
But there are flap discs, I've used them and they're good.

 

[The Old Dog]

I ordered a Pferd "combiclick kit" 48194 off amazon, I'll let you guys know how it works. Thanks, Dog

 

[carnifex knifeworks]

Most here ( including me ) don't polish up old axe heads, they're only new once and usually didn't come polished originally.
Patina is usually preferred around here, a wire wheel to remove rust while leaving the patina is generally the method of choice.

I'm not sure who / where else you'll be able to ask, maybe one of the YouTube channels that " restore " stuff ?
There's a guy Scoutcrafter who loves to polish up old tools, maybe ask him in the YouTube comments what flap disks he uses.

How gentle do you need to be to avoid removing patina with a wire wheel?
I have a couple axes I'm going to hang soon

 

[Hickory n steel]

How gentle do you need to be to avoid removing patina with a wire wheel?
I have a couple axes I'm going to hang soon

With the stiff knotted wire cup brush on an angle grinder you just don't want to bear down too hard, with a wire wheel on a bench grinder you can't really go too hard.
Really you've just gotta go for it and stop once the red rust is gone.

 

[Square_peg]

Flap discs are fast and hot. Just stay away from the bit so you don’t ruin the temper.

 

[The Old Dog]

My first use on the pferd kit is positive. I believe it will do what I need. Dog

 

[Chisteve]

I use 80 grit flap wheels to shape poll/butt if damaged

I find the best for removing rust etc are Poly Strip Wheels Paint Rust Removal Clean Angle Grinder Discs, they do not tend to remove any metal but very good for rust

I also use wire wheels and various grades of scotch bright mops on my bench grinder/polisher

 

[the-accumulator]

How gentle do you need to be to avoid removing patina with a wire wheel?
I have a couple axes I'm going to hang soon

"Patina" is in the eye and the mind of the beholder. If I acquire an axe or a knife that has original paint (think axe) or finish (think axe or knife), I will likely try not to remove anything except brown rust, if there is any present. I like to preserve the history if possible. For example, for this tiny hatchet, I did nothing:

Or this Marion Tool boy's axe where I removed some rust but left as much original paint as I could:
This 1 1/4 lb hatchet had no original finish worth saving, so I cleaned it more aggressively:
How much cleaning you do depends on what you plan to do with the piece. If you plan to sell it, consider your potential customers. Do they want a mirror polish, and are they willing to pay for it? I would rather buy an as-is piece and do my own cleaning. Are you planning to keep it? If so, how will you enjoy it the most? That's up to you.
BTW, I typically use a cupped twisted wire device on a right angle grinder as well as 100-150 sand paper (by hand) lubricated with PB Blaster. I might use an 80 grit flapper wheel to remove metal from a mushroomed poll.
As a rule, for me, less is better! T-A

 

[Square_peg]

How gentle do you need to be to avoid removing patina with a wire wheel?
I have a couple axes I'm going to hang soon

Use all wire wheels gently. Give them time to do their job. If you bear down hard on a wire wheel then it will throw wires. The wires will penetrate a flannel shirt worn over a cotton T and stick in your chest. I have a good idea how they would do against an eyeball.

 

[David Mary]

Coarse grit flap discs will get the shaping job done quickly. Not sure how high a polish you're after, or how high flap discs will go in grit, as the only ones I've ever bought and used were 36 or 40 grit, can't remember which. But they were Edgecore ceramic flap discs, and they worked pretty fast, and stayed sharp for a decent amount of time.

 

[catspa]

Use all wire wheels gently. Give them time to do their job. If you bear down hard on a wire wheel then it will throw wires. The wires will penetrate a flannel shirt worn over a cotton T and stick in your chest. I have a good idea how they would do against an eyeball.

My retired eye doctor buddy used to tell all the millhands and roughnecks in town, “If you get a piece of steel in your eye, get in here NOW. Not 10 minutes from now, not in an hour, not at the end of your shift. NOW. Any time of the day or night, call me and get to the office.”

Apparently once a rust ring forms on the eyeball surface, it becomes necessary to not only extract the chip with a magnetic probe, but also to peel the membrane around it. This drastically raises the chance of infection, and requires a long and expensive course of specialized antibiotic injections while it regrows.

I’m convinced that he saved some eyeballs in this town by having that policy.

Parker