polishing metal

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I have some things I would like to polish.  Been doing some searching and I would like to put a polishing wheel on my bench grinder.  Since I don't know much about polishing can someone recommend a wheel and where to get it?  I see they come in different plys and sizes.  I think I would like an 8" wheel.  What are the differences in the different wheels?  Also what compounds should I get?  Or can someone educate me on some of the compounds.I watched some videos on youtube that they polished some metals to have a mirror finish.  I would like to start with some tools to practice on and learn what I'm doing.  I have some hand tools and also a couple air tools that could use a little face lift so any advice you can share would really help.
Reply:One main factor to consider is the horse power of your machine. Too big of a wheel, ad it will bog down easily.If it spins too fast you will burn the metal not polish it. Remember the GOOGLE'S is your friend and it is free. Lastly think of polishing as fine grinding.
Reply:Thank you Fat Bastard.  I have been googling a lot about this and also watching videos on youtube.  Just trying to get some real world experience on brands and products.  I think I have the basic idea on how to do it, I'm sure it will take some practice to fine tune the process.  Would like to get a decent pad or two and compound so wondering if someone can recommend a brand and where to get it.  And if anyone want to throw in any tips while they at it, they will be appreciated.Thanks
Reply:You really did not give us much to go on.  Wheel type and abrasive will depend on material being polished and condition.For small quantities and OK bench grinder style wheels try Harbor Freight.  For larger abrasive quantities and larger wheels check out Brownells Gun Smithing supply at www.brownells.comThere are lots of other sources but that should get you started.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:another sourcehttp://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htmEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Thanks for the links guys.  After doing a lot of searching I took a trip to harbor freight today.  I wanted to go there to get some evaporust anyway.  I picked up a three pack of different wheels and 5 different compounds.  I figured I would just get some cheap pads and compounds for now to learn on and then order some nice stuff once I get some of the bugs worked out.  Hopefully I'll get some time to "play" around with this this week. I'll post some pics of before and after, if the results are decent!Thanks again for the help
Reply:Thank you for all the info and pics 7A749.  I want to do some hand tools like wrenches and was going to try some air tools.  I bought some cheap pads to start the learning process on.  I will do a couple of things and once I feel a little more comfortable I will get some better wheels.  That gun looks really good.
Reply:Thanks for pointing out the chrome on the tools.  The reason I even started looking into this is because I got some used air tools from a relative.  They had been sitting around for a while and don't look the best.  I have been working on cleaning them up the best I can with a degreaser.  Have taken them apart and cleaned out the old grease and gone over everything and am trying to get them to look the best they can.  I'm not going for perfection here, they are just some used tools but I would like to get them to look the best I can.  Was just going to stick with the degreaser but then read about polishing and thought this might be a good time to learn.  I have more time than money so if I can spend some time with a buffing wheel and get them to look nice I will be happy.  I have a bunch of scrap steel I will practice on.  What kind of prep do you recomend?  I was thinking about using a roloc disc if there was some deeper scratches.  What else should I look into?Thanks for all the safety points on the buffer, that is one thing I don't want to learn on the way!Last edited by ponch37300; 05-09-2010 at 11:09 PM.
Reply:Got some 8" pads from harbor freight.  My machine is 1/2 HP and states 3400 RPMs for 8" wheels.  These pads just feel apart. Think I got what I paid for!  Guess I will be ordering some decent pads from somewhere else in the near future.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749I may have some small diameter wheels lying around. I can't promise you anything, but if I find any, they're yours.
Reply:Once again thank you for your advice.I will order some wheels tomorrow and go from there.  Hopefully these will be better than the HF ones, I couldn't believe how 30 seconds of buffing these things just shredded.  They were rated for the rpms my machine says it is.  A couple years ago I bought a grinder/buffer used at a garage sale.  The one side is a grinder and the other is a buffer, has a cone coming off the machine and a threaded rod with no gaurds on that side.  It is just a 1/2 HP china model but seems pretty powerful.I'm going to get a bunch of scotch brite pads for my die grinder also to do some cleaning.  I'll wait till thursday when the stuff gets here and try it out again!Any tips on breaking a pad in or cleaning it?  You say to use a wood rasp, just touch it to the wheel for a couple seconds?
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1another sourcehttp://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm
Reply:Great info 7A749!Reading through this has got me motivated to finish one of my polishing projects.  It is some stainless.  I keep getting spots of cloudiness.I'll post some pics with some questions, tomorrow.-RhynoLast edited by Rhyno; 05-15-2010 at 03:29 AM.07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:Here are pics.  It is stainless.  I can't remember if it is 304 or 309.  I started out sanding it with 320 then 400, 800, and then 1000 grit.  The paper was on a 1/4 sheet vibrating palm sander.  I used a spray bottle that had Vinegar and water, spraying the metal to, somewhat, wet sand.  I washed with a garden hose, before changing to the next grit.I used a 7"- 9" Dewalt grinder, that is too fast (RPMS) to use on metal.  It spins at 8000-9000 R's.  I put on a 6 1/2 inch buffing wheel, that I bought at Sears, with some black rouge.  I tried all types of patterns and tool pressure levels.I got to a point, where I saw consistency, in the finish.  And there wasn't any cloudiness, but it wasn't polished enough.I put on another (a clean one) Sears wheel, and did the same patterns and pressures with White Rouge.I have some "moments of Brilliance," but you can see the tool marks (white rouge buffing) and weave patterns.  There are spots/stripes of cloudiness.In the end, I buffed, the White Rouge Wheel, in a circular motion with 1/2 circle overlap.  One of the pics shows this.  I can see the circle marks in the finish.  I figured that the circles look better than the different cross hatch patterns. I would like to get rid of all of the tool (buffing) marks.This has turned into a temporary obsession.Let me know what you think.-Rhyno Attached ImagesLast edited by Rhyno; 05-16-2010 at 11:53 PM.07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:Here are some more. Attached ImagesLast edited by Rhyno; 05-17-2010 at 03:00 AM.07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:And some more..... Attached ImagesLast edited by Rhyno; 05-16-2010 at 11:54 PM.07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:And the last of them......Last edited by Rhyno; 05-17-2010 at 03:00 AM.07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:Thanks  Broccoli1, that article helped.  (http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm), After reading it, I have decided to buy another wheel and try another rouge.  I am going to try green.  Hopefully this will take care of the marks.-RhynoLast edited by Rhyno; 05-17-2010 at 03:08 AM.07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:I bought some of this  Zephyr metal polish,  my local International Truck dealer carries this line of metal buffing and polishing products and seems to work very wellhttp://www.zephyrpro40.com/s2/Scripts/default.aspthey have a good introductory step by step guide herehttp://www.zephyrpro40.com/pdf/machinepolishing.pdfLast edited by soutthpaw; 05-17-2010 at 07:13 AM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Thanks 7A749!  I appreciate your advice.  I will try some green rogue, and maybe some liquid polish, like what was recommended by soutthpaw.I might not get back to it until later this week.I'll post up the results.-Rhyno07 Fowler 200D65 RedFace04 Miller TB 302, 22hpMiller 12RCMiller HF 251-1Lincoln SP135HyperTherm PM 380and a few others... Originally Posted by RhynoBut, if I "all of a sudden disappear....  ...." hopefully I didn't suffer too much....
Reply:Such a helpful guy you are 7A749. If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:I've "played" with the new wheels and compound and these ones don't instantly fly apart!  I started with grey compound on a sisal wheel and that seems to cut pretty good.  Then a stitched buff with green compound and that seems to work really good.  It's not perfect but think I'm getting somewhere and have a lot of practice to do.  Thanks for all the advice from everyone.  I will try to get some pics up sometime
Reply:I hate to bring up an ancient thread, but wanted to give thanks for it and felt it worth a comment.
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=171651Read this carefully. My wheels go on a drill and I gotem at hd. in a set1. Fine finishing disk on a angle grinder to get out all the scratches ( menards or lowes) not hd. 2. Palm sander 180, 220, 300, etc all the way to 600 or 1000. 3. Sisel wheel with yellow4. Denim wheel with whiteSee the results? I use a drill press on hi speed for the buffing wheels.Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup