Sometimes, I feel like it
is like Christmas around here — I never am quite sure what the UPS man will bring.
The fuzzy white balls are from Beall Tool. It is his new "Goblet
Buffs." Three are needed to make use of his finishing system. I have used the large
wheels a number of times before, but this is the first time with these buffs.
Each of the three buffs has a small color coded mark so that you use the
right buff with the right compound or wax.
Following his instructions, I start by running the buff over a piece of 36
grit paper. Quite a bit of threads shake loose in this "shaping" task.
|
 |
 |
I buff the oiled area starting with a buff that I have
applied the Tripoli compound. This is a coarse compound that is used first. I use a light
touch when doing all buffing.
I follow this with changing the buffs and using White Diamond Bar — a
finer compound. The surface is really smooth when I have done these two first steps.
|
Lastly, I change
to the third buff and apply Carnauba Wax to the buff. The buffs look all the same but they
are different materials that the company has found best for the application.
|
 |
 |
I continue buffing with a
very light touch, replenishing the wax occasionally. From where I am working, I can see
the luster turn to a high polish.
|
And I can feel as smooth a
finish as I could possibly have.
And if you are thinking, "Why didn't he use the Festool Rotex with pads
for this finish?" That is a good question. Answer: I didn't have the pads, but they
are on the way and since the Festool Rotex is for "sanding, grinding and
polishing" I expect it to work well. The Beall Goblet Buffs worked well, but they are
really designed for turnings and other shapes.
|
 |
 |
I think over the next few
days, I can repeat the last carnauba wax polishing and bring the shine "up a
notch."
This walnut was going to be stock for molding for the headboard project. Even
with this "defect," I like the board so much, it is now going to go into some
Christmas presents. How would it be re-sawn in half and bookmatched into a cabinet door?
|