Foredom Polishing User Manual
®
FOREDOM
Buffing and Polishing Guide
1. Safety Recommendations
Always wear safety glasses to prevent
eye injury caused by flying debris or
injury from a piece that is thrown back
by the wheel.
Do not wear loose clothing which might
get caught in the equipment.
Always wear a respirator and work in a
well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling
dust into your lungs.
Filter Hood helps remove hazardous
dust – see listing inside.
Always hold your work firmly. Gloves
are a practical way to hold items that
become hot. Small pieces should be held
with a hand vise or wedge clamp.
Foredom’s new
Buffs 3″ and larger are for use on
tapered spindles at 5,000 RPM
Max Speed.
Use 1″ and 2″ buffs with an A-M78
mandrel at 20,000 RPM Max Speed.
Fig. 1
Compound
2. Applying Foredom compounds
to buffing wheels on lathes
A. While the wheel is revolving toward
you, pass a bar of compound lightly
across the face of the wheel, slightly
below the motor spindle (See Fig. 1),
until the face of the wheel is lightly
coated. Always apply the compound to
the wheel and never to the article itself.
B. Spread the compound evenly by
holding a clean piece of flat metal
against the wheel face. When the
compound is evenly distributed, the
wheel is ready for buffing or polishing.
Apply additional compound as needed
with a wiping motion.
Fig. 2
Surface to
be polished
C. Experiment with different compounds
on scrap pieces to determine which compound gives the desired effect.
3. Applying Foredom compound
to buffs mounted on mandrels
(flex shaft handpieces)
A. Pass the bob or wheel lightly over
the bar of compound. Be careful not
to overload.
B. Spread the compound over the
surface of the bob or wheel by lightly
rubbing it on a piece of clean, flat metal,
until the compound is evenly distributed.
C. Reapply in the same manner,
when needed.
4. Applying compounds
to previously used wheels
It is best to use a separate wheel for
each type of compound to avoid contamination and scratches. When absolutely
necessary, used wheels should be cleaned
by holding a file edge or the edge of a
hack saw blade against the revolving
wheel.
Only coarser compounds than
the one used previously should be
applied to the used wheel. Never use a
final polishing or coloring compound on
a wheel or buff that has been previously
used for coarse cutting or buffing.
5. Buffing and Polishing
A. Make sure the wheel is revolving
toward you from top to bottom. Grasp
your workpiece firmly, remembering that
metal will become hot during buffing or
polishing operations. Small articles can
be held with hand vises or wedge
clamps, and chains can be wrapped
around a piece of wood. Keep the upper
edge of the workpiece away from the
wheel to avoid having it torn from
your hands
B. Press the workpiece firmly against the
revolving wheel,
(The compound will stick to the
.
center
article if you are pressing too lightly;
the wheel will slow down if you are
pressing too firmly. See Fig. 2.)
.
slightly below the
and
Buffing and Polishing continued
C. Keep the workpiece in constant
motion, turning it quickly. This will help
avoid buffing or scratch marks. As a rule
of thumb, 80%–90% of the operation
will be spent on buffing (usually with
Tripoli), and 10%–20% will be spent on
the final polishing operation usually
with platinum white or red rouge.
6. Cleaning
Always clean the residue of a compound
off the workpiece before switching to
another compound. Generally, a hot
water solution with a few drops of
ammonia works well. An ultrasonic
cleaner can also speed up the cleaning
operation. Dry thoroughly.
7. Terms and Definitions
Burnishing – A metal surface is bright-
ened with a highly polished tool. Often
used to remove deep scratches or to
add contour, such as a beveled edge.
Buffing (Coarse) – “Cutting down”
with a coarse compound, such as Emery,
to remove surface blemishes. A thin
layer of metal (scratch deep) is actually
removed. Requires surface speed.
Prepares surface for polishing.
Coloring – Bringing out the natural
color and luster of precious metals.
Usually accomplished with softer or
finer compounds (ie. Platinum White or
Red Rouge).
Compound – The material applied to
the wheel or bob for the desired
finished effect – ranging from coarse
Emery cake with grit, to ultra-smooth
rouges with no grit.
Cutting Down – The initial stage of
buffing, using an abrasive compound to
remove a layer of metal (scratch deep).
olishing–Adds color and luster to
P
the final stage of finishing. Usually
accomplished with the smoother
compounds. Requires a slower wheel
speed than buffing.
Surface Speed – The surface speed
er minute (SFPM) is the speed of the
p
buffing wheel as it revolves. The size of
the wheel has a direct relationship to the
surface speed.
Formula for calculating SFPM:
SFPM = 1/4 of the diameter of the wheel
(in inches) x RPM of motor
For example: A Foredom BL Bench
Lathe with a 4
at the maximum speed of 7,000 RPM.
1/4 of the diameter of the wheel = 1 inch.
1 inch x 7,000 RPM = 7,000 SFPM (Ideal
for buffing.)
″ diameter muslin wheel
8. Choosing the right wheel or
bob for your needs
Buffs vary in size, hardness, material
composition, and shape. Selecting the
appropriate one for each buffing or
polishing operation may require some
experimentation. Solid felt buffs and bobs
can be used for all types of buffing and
polishing operations with gritty or smooth
compounds. They come in various shapes
and hardnesses from medium to rock
hard. Small shapes, such as cones, balls,
square edge wheels or knife edge wheels
are used for hard-to-reach areas inside
grooves or rings.
Loosely-stitched soft cotton buffs are for
delicate work on precious metals, and for
polishing. Closely-stitched hard or stiff
cotton wheels and rock hard felt buffs are
used for cutting down and coarse buffing
operations on hard metals. Foredom’s
complete selection of 4
diameter buffs and compounds is shown
in this guide.
After selecting the buff and compound
that seems appropriate for the work, it is
a good idea to experiment on a piece of
scrap metal to determine what finish will
result at various speeds.
″ and smaller
Suggested Compounds and Wheel Speeds for Buffing and Polishing
Type of Iron, Steel Brass, Copper Gold, Silver Brass Plate
Material Hard Metals Soft Metals Plated, Solid Copper Plate Plastic
Operation cut color cut color cut color cut color cut color
FOREDOM Emery Platinum Tripoli Platinum Do Platinum Do Platinum Tripoli Platinum
Compound White White NOT White NOT Blue White
Cut Cut
Foredom®Buffing and Polishing Compounds
Emery A-4001 (Black) – Contains coarse
emery grit. Excellent for removing surface
imperfections such as scratches, scale, rust,
corrosion or burrs. Used for very fast cutting
of iron, steel and other hard metals.
Not for gold,
silver or plated items.
Tripoli A-4002 (Brown) – The most
popular general compound for cutting down
and buffing base metals. Gives a smooth,
finished look with a moderate luster to
brass plating, copper, aluminum, pewter,
gold, plastic and painted surfaces.Also
ideal for preliminary coloring operations.
White Diamond Rouge
A-4003
– A fast
cutting compound that produces a high
gloss finish and will not discolor. Excellent
on plastics and hard metals like platinum,
white gold, stainless steel, chrome and
nickel. Not for plated items.
Compound Weight Part No.
Emery 6.5 oz. bar A-4001
Emery 19 oz. bar A-5001
Tripoli 4.5 oz. bar A-4002
Tripoli 14 oz. bar A-5002
White Diamond Rouge 5.5 oz. bar A-4003
White Diamond Rouge 17 oz. bar A-5003
Red Rouge 5.75 oz. bar A-4004
Red Rouge 17 oz. bar A-5004
Red Rouge 1 oz. tube A-40041
4 Bar kit 22.25 oz. AK4000
of Emery
(one ea.
Platinum Blue 5 oz. bar A-4007
Platinum Blue
Platinum White 5.75 oz. bar A-4006
White
Platinum
Carnauba 2 oz. bar A-4008
ripoli, White Diamond Rouge, Red Rouge)
T
,
1 oz. tube
tube A-40061
1 oz.
Red Rouge A-4004 – An excellent
compound for a final coloring and a high
polish for precious metals like gold, silver,
silver plate, pewter or nickel. Not for
burnished surfaces.
Platinum Blue A-4007 – For pre-polishing
and cutting down of platinum and other
metals.
Platinum White A-4006 – For final
polishing to produce a deep luster on platinum, other metals, and acylics (8000 grit).
Carnauba A-4008 – The hardest
natural wax available. Non-tacky and highly
regarded for its tough and wear resistant
qualities. It is especially good for producing
a high luster on wood and painted surfaces.
Individual bars and
Kit of 4 bars
A-40071
Cotton Polishing Buffs
Fine Weave (80 x 80)
Finex Muslin Buffs
These buffs hold compounds well but
the tighter weave results in longer life.
The center pin holes are reinforced with
shellac (S) for a tight fit on tapered
mandrels and greater durability. Combed
edges do not require break in or combing
to hold compound. The fine weave and
stitching make them durable and especially suitable for polishing with rouge.
Dia. Ply Stitching Hole No.
1″ 40 1 S A-CBF1
2″ 40 1 S A-CBF2
3″ 40 3 S A-CBF3
4″ 40 3 S A-CBF4
Coarse Weave (60 x 60)
White Muslin Buffs
cutting and polishing compounds.
Combed edges do not need breaking-in
or combing to hold compound. Center pin
holes are reinforced with shellac (S).
Dia. Ply Stitching Hole No.
1″ 40 1 S A-CBC1
2″ 40 1 S A-CBC2
3″ 40 3 S A-CBC3
″ 40 3 S A-CBC4
4
″ 50 4 S* A-CBC65
6
7″ 50 4 S* A-CBC75
Extra thickness eliminates need for leather reinforcements.
*
www.foredom.net
Rows of Center Part
These have a more
open weave to hold
more compound.
Used as a general
purpose buff with
Rows of Center Part
Razor Edge Yellow Treated Buffs
(Soft) Chemically treated (86 x 80
weave) muslin provides added stiffness
and longer life. The additional stitching
and leather and shellac (L/S) centers keep
wheel stiff while in use. Used for cutting
and polishing in grooves, crevices, and
inside curves.
Dia. Ply* Hole No.
4″ 28 L/S A-CYR4
Loose White Muslin Buffs
These buffs have only one row of
stitching around the arbor hole which is
reinforced with leather and shellac (L/S).
Made of Finex (80 x 80 weave) muslin
with combed edges. The open layers
provide a softer polishing action and
conform to contours and curves. Use
with rouge for coloring or final
polishing operations.
Dia. Ply No.
3″ 35 A-LCB35
3″ 40 A-LCB3
4″ 40 A-LCB4
Yellow Treated Cotton Buffs
last 2 to 3 times longer than white muslin
buffs. Combed edges hold compounds without break in or combing. Center pin holes
are reinforced with shellac (S).
Ply
Dia.
4″ 30
4
″ 40
5″ 40
6
″ 40
6
″ 50
Center Part
Part
Made with chemically
treated extra fine
(86 x 80) weave fabric,
these buffs are stiffer
than untreated ones.
They will cut faster and
Rows of Center Part
Stitching
Hole
3
3 S A-CBY4
3
4
4 S A-CBY65-S
S A-CBY43
L/S
L/S
.
No
A-CBY5
A-CBY6
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