Buffing wheels and compounds Help please

[Leather2]

7 minutes ago, bruce johnson said:

As Chuck said my needs are different than most people. I am refurbishing old tools and sharpening new ones.  My realistic safety procedure is this.

My grinders are all turned around on the bases so the top rotates away from me. I have big arrow stickers on each end of the motor to remind me of the direction of rotation. I work on the top of the wheels. I can see my edges and  I feel like I have better control of the angles. I have tubs behind each wheel to catch extra compound that flies off when applying. If something catches, it goes away from me. 

There are exhaust fans behind the grinders that will pull the dust out. I had a consult with a dust control industrial advisor to determine what capacity fans I needed. Overkilled it - full air exchange every 2 minutes.  I have an overhead air filtration unit too (Rikon). I've got an air quality meter and noticeable differences when they are on. There are summer days if we have a forest fire blowing our way my shop air is better than outside. 

Safety gear - mask with N99 cartridges. I have a face shield now from Benchmark Abrasives - awesome deal and allows masks with cartridges. Leather apron. I wear leather welding sleeves over my arms. 

The looser the wheels the more they can catch a back edge and throw a tool. Gonna be honest, it happens but way less than it used to. I don't like the airway buffs and stopped using them. Yes they run cooler, yes they are durable and perform well. Yes those folds/pleats catch back edges and throw tools like crazy. I also have gotten away from much pressure on the wheels. I almost want a butterfly kiss touch and works better than pressing into the wheel. That was a hard habit to break -grinding or buffing. I watch my angles and edges and am careful when I get to tips and corners. Again, working off the top of the wheel gives me a better picture. When I am working on handles and bolsters the edges of the blades get taped with two layers of aluminum tape. I threw more tools doing handles than edges. 

Thanks.

BTW where do you get your buffing wheels? And what thickness and diameter do you prefer for green compound. Thanks

[bruce johnson]

5 hours ago, Leather2 said:

Thanks.

BTW where do you get your buffing wheels? And what thickness and diameter do you prefer for green compound. Thanks

I get my spiral sewn and loose wheels at Ace Hardware. I get the sisal, denim, and yellow treated wheels off Amazon. I run 8” on the bench grinders and 6” on arbors for the drill press. I rake my wheels when they start to get hard.

 

Edited November 6, 2023 by bruce johnson

[Leather2]

Thanks

[bladegrinder]

14 hours ago, chuck123wapati said:

lol osha and our safety guys would have cut the cord on that without discussion. But you know what i have one too in my personal shop as you said scary tool.

Ha, ha.....danger lurks around every corner as soon as you go thru the gate to my property.