I just wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation for your videos and contributions to our hobby. You are an excellent presenter. And of equal importance is the way you make subjects that I would otherwise find intimidating, seem approachable. So it does not go unsaid... "Thank you!"
9:12 I have been buffing all kinds of materials for the past 40 years. Rule #1 is tape up the arbor shaft threads because when you slip your item gets severely damaged. Rule #2 (at least on my buffer) Apply duct tape to the machine on the motor hump - Static build up during buffing can shock you.
The first piece of equipment I bought for pipes was a bench grinder and the beall buffing system. Didn’t know what I was doing at all but I’m happy I chose that. Buffing, carnuba wax, throw on a disc sander, etc etc. $149 for the variable speed bench grinder (still can use as a grinder if really need to) and $90 for the beall system plus one extra wheel for a clean wheel to remove excess stuff. I love it. I still hand buff and polish stems a lot just to keep myself busy While watching tv. $20 for some micro mesh pads and you’re good to go that way. Love your channel as always. :)
I cant believe I only found your channel now meneer. I needed this buffing video in my life a couple years ago haha! Absolutely brilliant stuff, thank you for sharing. Its quite interesting as after experimenting with various machines and setups, I basically ended up nearly identifitcal to your setup. I enjoy refurbishing estate pipes but due to pipe age and other factors (faint logos etc), I typically deffered to micromesh and hand polishing methods originally. Going to check out your other content now, cheers!
Great video for anyone who wants to set themselves up with a buffing wheel. I've spent decades in front of one (Watchmaker) and when someone talks about buffers I always add, hold on tight. It's so easy to launch your work. Fabulustre is a good alternative to having several rouges, a nice all in one compound. Finally, I highly recommend a file brush (the one with hundreds of tiny pins on a wooden handle), you can get a buff rake but those can get pricey and the file brush works just as good. They keep the wheel in great shape especially if one overloads it. By the way, I like Muslin wheels but that's just a personal preference.
I just use a drill fixed into a vice then use a mandrel in the chuck and spin the buffing mops on. It works really well with the stacked cotton/linen finishing mops. A bar of carnauba/beeswax and you're away. It pays to sand to at least 2500 grit using finishing papers and you get a professional finish. No need for red tripoli or any other buffing compound if you sand fine. Just wax. Many do use white diamond but I get a decent shine at 2500 grit finishing paper. Takes seconds to set up as my drill has a trigger lock button.
Thanks for this video! I have been searching for some guidance for buffers. I have a standard Ryobi grinder that I put buffing wheels on, but the RPMs are way too fast. I will get a new grinder that is variable speed to maintain my pipes (I have just over 90 pipes). This was informative and helped me to plan what I will do next in my workshop.
Some people might say thats too fast and too large of a wheel to optimize buffing with carnauba. It certainly seems like you results speak for themselves but I’d love to hear your opinion on the subject as I am trying to develop a buffing solution for my workshop and given the equipment at my disposal it would operate at 3400 rpm.
Very good video that, I am just about to order some buffing equipment. I here a lot about pipe smokers using these Micro mesh pads, not sure what they are all about. You dont need to do a whole video but do you have any tips?
Hello, my I ask if low, average, or superior brands or qualities are important in compound for this purpose? I am getting my arbor and wheels from Scottchen PRO so I imagine the tripoli and white diamond might be a bit generic... I have 100% carnuba flakes I can melt into a bar if that's supposed to be 100%.
steve thepirate I would not recommend it. Carnuaba is very hard and buffs up to a glossy shine that is quite durable. Beeswax is soft, it will not retain its gloss and will likely go sticky over time.
Just tried to buff my vulcanite pipe stem and it just gets more oxidation on it, what do you think in doing wrong? I know this video was a while ago but if you could help me I would be very grateful
Amazing Job ,and thank you for all the advice, moreover I have come to the conclusion that Dremel like drills are hardly suitable for polishing,mainly because of uncontrolled high speed,though it may serve satisfactorily on stem polishing, Best Greets,Paul
Hi, excellent instructional videos! After watching this, I am considering buying and 8" grinder to set up a buffing station for my pipes, you mentioned a collar adaptor for the buffing pads, could you provide a link to where to find and buy the collars, maybe amazon? Thank you in advance! (also do you think one could use the grinder with sanding discs with that type of collar system?)
Hello! Love your videos. I’ve heard that you don’t want to exceed 1400-1500 rpms when buffing pipes. Especially when using carnauba wax. But it looks like your minimum buffing speed is 2000 rpms. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Jack Knife that is quite a rabbit hole that one can go down. The really important number is actually not the RPM but the speed at the surface of the wheel in terms of m/second. An 8” wheel has a much higher speed than a 4” wheel for example. You need a high enough speed to generate enough heat to melt the wax, but not so high that you burn or damage the surface. Personally speaking, my approach has been far less scientific, just the good old trial and error approach. I have not had any issues with the bench grinder at its lowest speed which is somewhere around 2000 rpm
Bare Pipe Thanks for the reply! Very helpful. I’m starting to get into cleaning up my own pipe stems and I’m doing quite well with just a cordless drill and some smaller buffing pads. I have a bench grinder but it’s not variable speed and too high on the RPMs. Just picked up a bar of carnauba wax. But it seems like I’m not getting much wax on the buffing wheel.
I've just started making my own pipes. Now I'm at the buffing stage. This was a great video. Looks like you just use flap wheels. I'm thinking I'll need to start out with a Sisal Buffing Wheel to get most of the imperfections out before buffing and waxing. What's your thoughts on that?
Hello, I originally subscribed to you as "Vigilante Driver", but I have now create a Pipes, Tobacco and Related Items Channel under the name "DAS Piper" so I have a place to upload my Pipe Smoking Videos. "Das Piper" in half German means "The Piper"; I used my initials.
I have certainly enjoyed this series. It is so interesting in seeing your attention to detail and quality. Thank you, Sir.
I just wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation for your videos and contributions to our hobby. You are an excellent presenter. And of equal importance is the way you make subjects that I would otherwise find intimidating, seem approachable. So it does not go unsaid... "Thank you!"
Bare, I'm a new to pipe smoking at a ripe old age, and new to your channel as well. Wanted to drop a line and say "Thank you!" for all your YT videos.
9:12 I have been buffing all kinds of materials for the past 40 years. Rule #1 is tape up the arbor shaft threads because when you slip your item gets severely damaged. Rule #2 (at least on my buffer) Apply duct tape to the machine on the motor hump - Static build up during buffing can shock you.
The first piece of equipment I bought for pipes was a bench grinder and the beall buffing system. Didn’t know what I was doing at all but I’m happy I chose that. Buffing, carnuba wax, throw on a disc sander, etc etc. $149 for the variable speed bench grinder (still can use as a grinder if really need to) and $90 for the beall system plus one extra wheel for a clean wheel to remove excess stuff. I love it. I still hand buff and polish stems a lot just to keep myself busy While watching tv. $20 for some micro mesh pads and you’re good to go that way. Love your channel as always. :)
I hope you are doing alright. I noticed your content stopped. You've been a big help to me. Just bought a buffer set-up.
'Goeie dag!' from a fellow Afrikaans guy! Thank you for the great video, helped me a lot.
I cant believe I only found your channel now meneer. I needed this buffing video in my life a couple years ago haha! Absolutely brilliant stuff, thank you for sharing. Its quite interesting as after experimenting with various machines and setups, I basically ended up nearly identifitcal to your setup. I enjoy refurbishing estate pipes but due to pipe age and other factors (faint logos etc), I typically deffered to micromesh and hand polishing methods originally. Going to check out your other content now, cheers!
Another excellent video! This gives me the confidence to buff up some of my briars. Thanks a bunch!
Tim Mitchell you are most welcome. Let me know how it goes
Very good simple but informative video. Confident now on how to go about polishing my restored pipes. Thank you sir!
I’ve been binge watching your videos tonight... great stuff!
2:00 am Pipe On The Patio Binge watching me, now that is a scary thought! Lol
excellent no-nonsense video. happy new year :) greetings from amman/jordan
Superb video! Really enjoying the series.
Great video for anyone who wants to set themselves up with a buffing wheel. I've spent decades in front of one (Watchmaker) and when someone talks about buffers I always add, hold on tight. It's so easy to launch your work. Fabulustre is a good alternative to having several rouges, a nice all in one compound. Finally, I highly recommend a file brush (the one with hundreds of tiny pins on a wooden handle), you can get a buff rake but those can get pricey and the file brush works just as good. They keep the wheel in great shape especially if one overloads it. By the way, I like Muslin wheels but that's just a personal preference.
Nice eyebrow move. A talent that has always eluded me.
That is some good added info there. Thanks
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
1st time here! Great vid!!
Excellent video sir. Thank you.
Richard Conley thanks
Just exactly what I needed to know. Well done. Thanks.
Beautiful transformation, the final wax is amazing, thanks for sharing, 😃👍
This was extremely informative. Thank you for sharing your setup. Cheers mate!
The Pipe Professor thanks brother. Happy piping!
I just use a drill fixed into a vice then use a mandrel in the chuck and spin the buffing mops on. It works really well with the stacked cotton/linen finishing mops. A bar of carnauba/beeswax and you're away. It pays to sand to at least 2500 grit using finishing papers and you get a professional finish. No need for red tripoli or any other buffing compound if you sand fine. Just wax. Many do use white diamond but I get a decent shine at 2500 grit finishing paper. Takes seconds to set up as my drill has a trigger lock button.
Good tips, and thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Brian Knight Sure thing. Thanks for taking the time to watch!
Thanks for this video! I have been searching for some guidance for buffers. I have a standard Ryobi grinder that I put buffing wheels on, but the RPMs are way too fast. I will get a new grinder that is variable speed to maintain my pipes (I have just over 90 pipes). This was informative and helped me to plan what I will do next in my workshop.
Thank you, that's just what I needed.
Thanks for the advice great content
Rustic Piper you are most welcome
Are you doing videos now?.
I haven’t seen any of late.
I do enjoy your videos and haven’t seen any in quite a while.???
Great video; subscribed!! Thank you, sir!
Thank you for your advice 🙏👍😉
beautiful work thanks for the advice
Briar Beard you are welcome brother! Thanks for watching
Some people might say thats too fast and too large of a wheel to optimize buffing with carnauba. It certainly seems like you results speak for themselves but I’d love to hear your opinion on the subject as I am trying to develop a buffing solution for my workshop and given the equipment at my disposal it would operate at 3400 rpm.
Very good video that, I am just about to order some buffing equipment. I here a lot about pipe smokers using these Micro mesh pads, not sure what they are all about. You dont need to do a whole video but do you have any tips?
Can this same process be performed on a rusticated bowl to rejuvenate the finish?
Could you expand on the buffing pads you got from ebay for the drill? Maybe a link to something similar or the wording we should look for?
Hello, my I ask if low, average, or superior brands or qualities are important in compound for this purpose? I am getting my arbor and wheels from Scottchen PRO so I imagine the tripoli and white diamond might be a bit generic... I have 100% carnuba flakes I can melt into a bar if that's supposed to be 100%.
Great video! Thanks...
Another great video!
CaneRodPiper thank you. That is high praise
Do you use the same type and size buffing wheels for the white diamond and the carnuba wax?
J. Oakley yes I do
Anybody know where those cheap collars/adapters can be obtained?
This may seem like an odd question but could you use beeswax instead of Carnuba?
steve thepirate I would not recommend it. Carnuaba is very hard and buffs up to a glossy shine that is quite durable. Beeswax is soft, it will not retain its gloss and will likely go sticky over time.
beautiful pipe, what model is it?
Just tried to buff my vulcanite pipe stem and it just gets more oxidation on it, what do you think in doing wrong? I know this video was a while ago but if you could help me I would be very grateful
Amazing Job ,and thank you for all the advice, moreover I have come to the conclusion that Dremel like drills are hardly suitable for polishing,mainly because of uncontrolled high speed,though it may serve satisfactorily on stem polishing, Best Greets,Paul
Paul The Scandinavian I agree 100%. I tried it a few times and it just does not give decent results. Speed is too high and the disks are too hard.
Hi, excellent instructional videos! After watching this, I am considering buying and 8" grinder to set up a buffing station for my pipes, you mentioned a collar adaptor for the buffing pads, could you provide a link to where to find and buy the collars, maybe amazon? Thank you in advance! (also do you think one could use the grinder with sanding discs with that type of collar system?)
We're you ever able to find one?
VERY NICE TY SIR
Hello! Love your videos. I’ve heard that you don’t want to exceed 1400-1500 rpms when buffing pipes. Especially when using carnauba wax. But it looks like your minimum buffing speed is 2000 rpms. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Jack Knife that is quite a rabbit hole that one can go down. The really important number is actually not the RPM but the speed at the surface of the wheel in terms of m/second. An 8” wheel has a much higher speed than a 4” wheel for example. You need a high enough speed to generate enough heat to melt the wax, but not so high that you burn or damage the surface. Personally speaking, my approach has been far less scientific, just the good old trial and error approach. I have not had any issues with the bench grinder at its lowest speed which is somewhere around 2000 rpm
Bare Pipe Thanks for the reply! Very helpful. I’m starting to get into cleaning up my own pipe stems and I’m doing quite well with just a cordless drill and some smaller buffing pads. I have a bench grinder but it’s not variable speed and too high on the RPMs. Just picked up a bar of carnauba wax. But it seems like I’m not getting much wax on the buffing wheel.
I've just started making my own pipes. Now I'm at the buffing stage. This was a great video. Looks like you just use flap wheels. I'm thinking I'll need to start out with a Sisal Buffing Wheel to get most of the imperfections out before buffing and waxing. What's your thoughts on that?
Hello, I originally subscribed to you as "Vigilante Driver", but I have now create a Pipes, Tobacco and Related Items Channel under the name "DAS Piper" so I have a place to upload my Pipe Smoking Videos. "Das Piper" in half German means "The Piper"; I used my initials.
DAS Piper Thanks for letting me know. I will check it out
Thx 4 sharing
May I come and work 4 U for free for a couple of weeks to train myself...