Hi All,
on the wiki it looks like the buffing polisher has both wheels mounted (see here).
I’m at the space right now, and the wheel is not fitted. I seem to recall from the metal shop introductory class that members aren’t allowed to change those.
Is this correct, and the machine should be red tagged, or my notes are wrong and I should bring my polishing wheel? I’m confused because I don’t see the locking nut (see pic below)
@mgmoore should have the info on this.
I think he keeps it stored away because it was being abused a bit
Your picture is the current normal setup. (Yes, we’ll replace that deburring wheel soon, but we might as well get every last bit of use out of it we can; they are expensive.)
The polishing wheels are not kept installed and are stored in the stewards alcove because they were frequently misused – in fact I don’t know of anyone other than Eric Peterson and I that used it correctly. I am headed in shortly and can help you install one if you need it, BUT step one before using a polishing wheel is to sand it smooth with at least 400 grit, if not 600 grit, sandpaper. Only then can you polish it further if you still need to.
Hi Ethan. Thanks for your kind message. I need to polish the top of a Moka pot that was stained, so the finish is already quite good (from touch I’d say much better than 600 grit sandpaper) so that won’t be a problem.
As for fitting the wheel, I might be able to come to the space tomorrow morning, or it’s going to happen next week. When would work best for you?
Side note, do you mind if I update the wiki saying something along the lines “The polishing wheel is not fitted to prevent abuse and accelerated wear, please reach out to one of the steward if you need it”. I’d have saved me a trip knowing this
Thanks again,
Carlo
Yes, that would be a fine addition to the wiki. In general, the wiki pages are not routinely kept up to date, so anyone willing to help there is welcome.
Understood, when would it be possible to mount the polishing wheel?
Next week I could on Wednesday after work.
I’ve left the polishing stuff in a more prominent location, on the area lead desk, behind the rolling wire shelves next to the compressor in the metal shop stewards alcove. The installation is pretty straightforward: inner/notched holding piece, the buffer wheel with an insert, then the outer holding piece and the nut. Note that the nut is reverse threaded on that side. I’ve left the steel polishing wheel and these pieces on top of the box. All the polishing compounds are inside. We also have a couple of smaller, drill mounted polishing wheels as well.
Hi Ethan,
Just checking, I’m clear to install it next time I book shop time? I will remove it after and place it in the same place I found it of it’s ok.
Best,
Carlo
Yes, you are. My availability is limited this week, and it’s fairly straightforward to use. The primary issue is that trying to polish something that hasn’t been sufficiently smoothed wastes the polishing compound for no effect. And using the wheels without polishing compound won’t do anything either.
Amazing, thanks a lot again
I’ve updated the wiki here:
@mgmoore does the kit contain polishing compounds as well? Probably worth mentioning in the page
