Finshes

8” Buffing Wheel, 4” Bowl Buff, and 8” Long Buffing Adapter

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In the handout for my “Great Polyurethane Finishes Demo” (http://carlford.info/blog/2013/01/great-polyurethane-finishes-demo/) I talk about getting a “8” Buffing Wheel, 4” Bowl Buff, and 8” Long Buffing Adapter” from Don Pencil.

Don Pencil is no longer in business. Thus I now suggest you get the following from Packard Woodworks (www.packardwoodworks.com)


– 1-1/4″ x 8 Lathe Buffing Extender #120952
– 8″ Wax Beall Replacement Wheel #123940W
– 4″ Wax Beall Bowl Buff #123934W

Note: I attach the Buffing Wheels to Long Buffing Adapter with a local hardware store 3/8” bolt and fender washers.

I don’t use any wax on my buffing wheels! Thus I just get the Beall wheel. NOT the complete system! See “Great Polyurethane Finishes Demo” (http://carlford.info/blog/2013/01/great-polyurethane-finishes-demo/) for more info.

Or you can get the 8″ Wheel from Mcmaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com). Two of “Buffing Wheel for Curved Surfaces, 8″ Diameter x 1/2″ Thick, 1/2″ Arbor Hole” #4820A12.

Tools

Mounting Plates and Shallow Bowls

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I have found that using a 2-1/2″ diameter hole that is 1/4″ deep is a good way to mount blanks for plates and shallow bowls on the lathe. It is easy and very secure.

It’s a lot better than using a chuck screw. Because chuck screws and shallow holes don’t mix well.

I drill a 2-1/2″ diameter hole that is 1/4″ deep with a Forstner bit. Then expand my 4 jaw chuck into the hole.


You need to be careful when drilling a big hole. You ABSOLUTELY need to use a drill press. Using a hand held drill would be a receipt for disaster.

You also need to clamp the blank down to the drill press table. A big drill bit can easily catch and rip the blank out of and/or thru your hand. Any sharp edges or corners on the blank will shred your hand.


The cheap “Steelex” brand Forstner bits currently available on Amazon for $2x work ok. The Amazon reviews vary quite a bit. Getting a good one is a crap shoot. I have gotten 2 winners recently.

Note: Amazon dynamically prices everything. I purchased a new 2-1/2″ Forstner bit last week for $20. Today the lowest price it will show me is $28.91. If I wait a few more weeks then the price will probably go back down to $20.