Official Luthiers Forum!

not wanting to high-jack the thread from which this arises, i thought i'd start a separate discussion.

for those using a random orbit sander (or anything hand held) for your buffing, here's my list of questions:

- what style and name brand of machine are you using?

- what kind of buffing pads are you using and where do you get them?

- what kind of buffing compounds are you using and where do you get them?

- how long do buffing pads last? are you able to rake them the way power buffers can rake out old compound or do you wash or just replace?

- how long does it take to buff a guitar using your set up?

thanks for the help.
phil

- what style and name brand of machine are you using?
I use a porter cable unit that is both orbital and variable speed.

- what kind of buffing pads are you using and where do you get them?

   I use a foam pad that has the loop and hook . I can swap out pads so easy and I can use a few different pads.
- what kind of buffing compounds are you using and where do you get them?
   I use 3M products. I get them at my local auto paint store. I use the basic 3m line for auto paint and they work great. I finish up with maquires swirl remover and can buff up lacquer for that wet shine look.

- how long do buffing pads last?
    They last a long time. I have them for about 1 year now and they are still in fine shape. I store them in plastic bags.
are you able to rake them the way power buffers can rake out old compound or do you wash or just replace?
No I clean them out with how water and tide detergent.

- how long does it take to buff a guitar using your set up?
   Buffing will take a long time so don't think you will find something that will take an hour. This is part of the finishing process and if you take a short cut now you will just be fooling yourself. Figure about 8 hrs to get it perfect and then double it.
   I can finish buffing in about 4-6 hrs of labor.

Greetings!

1. That big ugly orange one from Harbor Freight they run on sale every other month for around $15.00

2. Buffing pads from HF as well, my store has about 4 different types in the 12" size from lamb skin to thin terry cloth. Also have shammy (sp) cloth. As long as they are 12" most any brand will work, I have used others

3.I also use auto products (Maguires) and others

4. I use and save the same pads for the different waxing buffing finishes I am using. About 2 guitars each.

5. I put on several layers in my process, so I would agreee with 4-6 man hours.

I really like the orbital hand held buffer, it is so easy to use, have never had any problems with burning a finish. I have thought about going to an arbor style, but other than looking cool, I don't think that do any better of a job.

My 2 cents

Mike

I use a DeWalt w/ adj. speed. and Bosch pads from a local tool shop. I think you can order them from Klingspors catalog. I also clean them with hot water and detergent.They do last quite a while. I'm using the Stew-Mac compounds. It does take some time to get a nice finish-around 4 hrs. I'd say.

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

thanks for the responses guys.
the only discouraging thing you've told me is the amount of time the process takes - anywhere from 4 to as much as 8 hours. that sounds like a huge time commitment compared to what the average power buffer folks are putting in.
i could actually imagine putting in the time, but couldn't imagine holding my random orbit sander for hours at a stretch. i'd have tendonitis so bad i couldn't play guitar.
might be time to find that 1/3 hp motor and a go kart axle.
phil

The buffing process is what takes the time in my approach. I don't know if changing from a Hand Orbital to a arbor style would reduce buffing time that much. Sorry if that was confusing.

Mike

I use a festool rotex with there buffing pads. The variable speed and orbit options make it a versatile piece of equipment. I've only done a couple of guitars with it but shined up a cherry table top yesterday that turned out very nice.