Mirror finish using angle grinder?

Lol is right! Thought I'd check!

What's the best way to tackle this job then? Don't know if I will buy a vice.
Back to sandpaper?
 
Let us assume for a second that this is a serious post, which is a bit of a stretch for me. If this is the case, the next question is do you like having all of your body parts attached and containing all of your blood? Even a 4 inch grinder generates a lot of torque, and if it catches hold of a kukri for a fraction of a second your free hand wont be able to hold it. If you have no way to secure the knife, you are far safer hand-polishing. It can still be dangerous but is unlikely to result in injury if you pay attention.

If it's a display blade, then I would bet you are most likely chasing off oxidation alone. That can be easily done with metal polish. I use Maas brand paste, a cloth, and a little oil afterwards to protect. But pretty much any metal polish from the hardware or auto parts store is likely to work.
 
Looks like it's time to invest in a baby vice, table mounted. I just checked my local Amazon...saw a cheap vice with a jaw opening under 1.5 inches (for the khukuri). Would this be ok? My khuks are between 1 and 1.25 inch thick.
 
Ive been polishing long enough (more than 30 years) where the mere thought of what you are asking makes my skin crawl. No, nope, no way. Do NOT do it. Id even be a little squeamish at the idea of an angle grinder but people do it. You really need both hands in play with one item.
 
Get a bench grinder if you are set on using a polishing wheel. If it is simply going to be used for polishing the edges on blades, a cheapo from Harbor Freight will get the job done. This method is far safer since you can hold the kukri with both hands.
 
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Actually I got the idea of using the angle grinder-buffing wheel combo from the late DannyinJapan, who did his mirror finish with good results. Provided I use green (?) compound and use a vice, are there any reasons now for me not to go ahead? I promise to use both hands CableGirl : )
Also, I compared prices of bench grinders with angle grinders, and they were rather more expensive.
 
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I would suggest you practice on scrap pieces of metal to see if you can achieve the wanted results before touching your knives :)
 
Oh yeah, if you don't have a dust collector please do find a mask. The dust from both the compound and the buff can be pretty unfriendly stuff.
 
Just to play devil's advocate: Attempting to restore the mirror polish on the HI khukuri in question using an angle grinder/buffing wheel combo might ruin the temper of the blade? Thoughts?
 
Did yall not read the last line about the burst proof guard insuring user safety?
:D:D
 
It's funny you should mention that, the Stanley I have in mind does tout the burst proof guard!

I saw multiple YouTube videos that show folks getting a mirror polish on steel, with compound/s and felt wheels. Of course all the metal was held in a vice :)

Bonzodog: have a couple of projects that will call for the angle grinder so that's why was thinking of getting one anyway. But thanks all the same.
 
You can use an angle grinder to produce a mirror finish, but if you don't want to buy a vise, at least securely screw the workpiece down to a bench surface.
 
Amko said:
Just to play devil's advocate: Attempting to restore the mirror polish on the HI khukuri in question using an angle grinder/buffing wheel combo might ruin the temper of the blade? Thoughts?
Click to expand...

On that thought, if using a powered grinder or buffer of any kind, an aluminum oxide polish will cut & polish a lot more efficiently. By 'efficiently', I mean it'll be better able to cut the steel and it'll also work cooler in the process, in part because AlOx just cuts better with less friction, but also because AlOx is known to dissipate heat better than other polishing abrasives, in most uses.

With green compound, I've often noticed it produces a lot of friction-induced heat when used on something like a Dremel with a cotton buffing wheel. I've even felt the blade heat up a bit when stropping on leather by hand, with green compound. So I don't like using green compound for polishing in general, unless it's done only by hand.

To hedge against overheating in general with a powered buffer, keep the tool moving across the surface. Don't linger in any one spot for longer than a second or two, especially near the thin edge of the blade, which will overheat a lot quicker.

( I'm also not advocating using the angle grinder at all for this job, BTW... )
 
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