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LET'S TALK ABOUT BUFFING |
For good buffing results, follow the few simple but important rules contained in this booklet. First, let's get acquainted with some of the buffing terms commonly used:
A SECTION OR SINGLE BUFF, consists of layers of material sewed together in various ways. It is usually about 1/4 inch thick at the face.
A BUFFING WHEEL consists of one or more single sections. You can buy ready made multiple buffs, which are single sections sewed together, or you can assemble any thickness buffing wheel you wish by putting together single or multiple buffs on your spindle. Buffing wheels should always be mounted on your spindle between flanges firmly gripping the sides.
FLANGES are the metal discs between which buffing wheels are mounted. Each DICO wheel is supplied with a pair of special toothed flanges which bite into the buffing wheel to prevent it from slipping.
THE FACE, OR edge, of a buffing wheel is the working surfaces.
PREFACED, means that the trued wheel face has a soft nap which prepares it for easy applications of compositions.
A COMPOSITION, OR COMPOUND, is the material applied to the face of a buffing wheel to enable you to obtain the finish you desire. It consists of abrasives, which do the work, held in suspension by wax or grease, which acts as a binder to hold the abrasive to the buff. There are many kinds of compositions, ranging from coarse cutting emery to the finest jewelers' rouge', and each has a particular use. Buffing wheels will not product results without compositions, DICO compositions are specially compounded for easy application and to give dependable results.
SPINDLE SPEED is the speed of your spindle expressed in R.P.M., or revolutions per minute.
SURFACE SPEED, or S.F.P.M., is the speed at which the face of your buffing wheel travels, as distinguished from the spindle speed of your buffing or polishing head. S.F.P.M. is an abbreviation meaning Surface Feet Per Minute. It is important that you know the S.F.P.M. of your wheel, as it should be varied to obtain the best results for coarse buffing cutting down, or coloring. For best results, your wheel should maintain a S.F.P.M. at 3,600-7,500. The higher the speed the better and quicker the results. Formula for calculating S.F.P.M. is S.F.P.M.=1/4 diameter of buff multiplied by the spindle speed in R.P.M. Thus, an 8" wheel @ 3,600 R.P.M. =2 x 3600 R.P.M. or 7200 S.F.P.M.
COARSE BUFFING means buffing with coarse compositions, such as emery, to remove rust, grinding marks, and rough surface imperfections.
CUTTING DOWN means buffing with sharp cutting compositions, such as Tripoli and Stainless, to remove additional surface imperfections and give a moderate luster.
COLORING means the final buffing, which is done with various softer or finer compositions to bring out the natural color or luster of the material. Most polishing projects will require more than one buffing operation in each of the above classes. You may find it advisable in some instances to color, or even to cut down, with two or more compositions or with the same composition on different type buffing wheels in order to obtain the result you desire.
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CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE BUFFING WHEEL |
CUSHION TYPE BUFFS
Used for light cutting and for coloring. A superior grade of fine cotton sheeting held together with two or more circles of lockstitch sewing. Gives a resilient, cushioned effect when in use. Hole size 1 inch, packaged with DICO flanges for 1/2" Spindle.
No.18-1/4" Face - Diameters 4", 6"
No.36-1/2" Face - Diameters 4", 6"
CANTON FLANNEL BUFFS
For use with rouge to color gold, silver, etc. Discs of soft flannel joined by two or four circles of lockstitch sewing. Follow intricate contours easily and will not scratch. Hole size 1 inch, packaged with DICO flanges for 1/2" Spindle.
No. 60 - 1/2" Face - Diameters 4", 6"
SPIRAL SEWED BUFFS
Dependable, well-balanced, long-wearing wheels for general shop use. Carefully selected, high grade cotton sheeting assembled to give maximum cutting action. Continuous spiral sewing with 1/4" spacing.
No. 20-1/4" Face-Diameters 4", 6"
No. 40-1/2" Face-Diameters 4", 6"
For coarse buffing and cutting. Made from selected white cotton material, continuous spiral sewing sewing with 3/8" spacing. Hole size 1 inch, packaged with DICO flanges for 1/2" spindle.
Selections & Guides
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SUGGESTED WHEELS, COMPOSITIONS, AND SPEEDS FOR BUFFING |
All Buffing Wheels must be used with compound 2 step process - cut/color.
For optimum performance - Use Dico Premium Compounds as follows:
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TYPE OF COMPOSITION TO USE |
Buffing Compounds and Rouges are a solid form not a liquid or paste. All Dico compositions are tube packed for your convenience - a method of packing which has many advantages. It is clean to handle and prevents waste. It is easier to apply, permanently identifies the contents to help you to avoid damaging valuable work by using the wrong composition.
DICO compositions are specially blended for use on small wheels and are more easily applied than most commercial grades. They have a very high content of abrasive which speeds their action. It is the action of the composition carried on the face of your buffing wheel which gives the finish to the material you are buffing. Therefore, it is important for you to select a composition which has been designed to give a specific result for a specific application. You will find the chart below helpful in your selection of Dico tube packed compositions.
SUGGESTED WHEELS, COMPOSITIONS, AND SPEEDS FOR BUFFING
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Type Of Work |
Steel - Iron Hard Metal |
Soft Metal, Brass, Copper, Aluminum, etc. |
Solid & Plated Gold & Silver |
Brass or Copperplate |
Nickel& Chromeplate |
Plastics |
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Purpose |
Cut |
Color |
Cut |
Color |
Cut |
Color |
Cut |
Color |
Cut |
Color |
Cut |
Color |
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DICO Wheel Number |
25,26, |
18 |
25,26, |
8 |
Do No Cut |
60 |
Do No Cut |
18,36,41, |
25,26, |
36,41, |
25,26,27, |
18,36,41, |
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DICO Composition |
ES or |
SCR or |
TC6 |
SCR or |
CR1 or |
TC6 or |
SCR |
SCR or |
PBC or |
WR1 or |
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For a very high polished finish on all metals use JR1 Buffing Composition
with Buffing Wheel #60 |
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USE CARE IN THE SELECTION OF YOUR COMPOSITIONS
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EMERY E5 Coarse buffing, removing scratches, rust, corrosion and burrs
from iron, steel and hard metals. - Very fast cutting action approaching that of flexible
grinding. Step 1 for irons and steels. |
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TRIPOLI TC6 General cutting down on all base materials.- Also used for preliminary coloring operations. Excellent
on brass plating and aluminum, pewter, etc. Mild cutting action
- good coloring action. Step 1 for copper, brass, and aluminum. |
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STAINLESS SCR For cutting down and coloring stainless and other
steels, chromium and nickel plate. - Has a fast cutting and good coloring action. Step
2 for irons and steels. |
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ROUGE CR1 For coloring gold, silver and other precious
metals. - Best and safest when used with a flannel buff such
as DICO No. 60, or a DICO felt wheel. Excellent for final coloring
of any material. |
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JEWELERS ROUGE JR1 A premium composition for the finest finish on
gold, silver, etc. - Skillful buffing with this will bring out all the
beauty of the natural color in any metal. |
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PLASTIC ROUGE PBC An excellent composition for edge finishing of
acrylic sheeting. - Has mild cutting and good coloring action on plastics. |
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WHITE ROUGE WR1 Produces a brilliant high gloss finish. Removes
scratches. - Clean and greaseless, will not discolor. Use on
metal and plastic. Step 2 for copper, brass, aluminum and irons
and steels. |
Applications & Uses
APPLYING THE COMPOSITION TO YOUR BUFFING WHEEL
On a new wheel: Be sure the wheel is revolving toward you and has attained full speed. Then pass tube of composition lightly across wheel face in front of, and a little below spindle, until face is slightly coated. Now hold a clean piece of old metal lightly against wheel face for a few seconds to spread coating. Do this several times until face is uniformly coated. After face has been adequately charged with composition, you are ready to buff. It will be necessary to apply more composition from time to time as you buff, and the best way to do this is with a wiping motion, being careful not to overload the wheel.
Never use a wheel for coloring which has previously been used for coarse buffing or cutting down. Particles of grit remaining in the face may scratch your final finish. You will save time and avoid costly mistakes by using a separate wheel for each type of composition.
IT IS EASIER TO BUFF THE RIGHT WAY
Be sure your wheel is revolving toward you and at a full speed. Coat your wheel with the right composition and let it run for a few seconds so the composition will settle on the buff. (Never put the composition on the article to be buffed.) Now grasp your work firmly and apply it lightly against face of wheel. Make sure to keep it below the center of the wheel, otherwise the buff might catch in your work and pull it out of your hands. Keep your work constantly in motion, always removing it from the wheel with a slanting downward stroke. This will blend buffing marks and help avoid spotty or streaked results. Wipe additional composition across wheel face as needed, but do not overload. Overloaded wheels will produce many thick, black streak marks. If this occurs, clean the buff with a buttrack or file and reapply the composition as needed. Do not use too much pressure against the wheel let the composition and the wheel do the work. Work when changing from cutting to coloring composition to prevent coarse grits from becoming embedded in coloring wheel, thus scratching your final finish. When finished, wipe the buffed surface with a soft cloth dipped in powdered whiting (talcum powder) to remove all traces of composition. A little practice will enable you to obtain the results you want. Never allow wheel to strike upper edge of work as work may be torn from your hands.
MOUNT YOUR BUFFING WHEEL CAREFULLY
It is important that your wheel is snuggly fitted to the spindle. For this reason each DICO buffing wheel is furnished with a pair of toothed flanges to fit your spindle. Your dealer will see to it that you are supplied with the correct size flanges. Insert a flange in each side of your wheel. If several buffs are ganged together on an arbor, use a pair of flanges for each section. Keep the wheel centered in the flanges as you slide it onto your spindle. Draw up the spindle nut as tightly as possible with a wrench.
A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT BUFFING
Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when using DICO Buffing Products.
Hold your work firmly at all times. Cotton work gloves will protect your
hands and keep them clean.
Use minimum pressure against wheel. Let wheel and composition do the work.
Always hold work below center of wheel.
Never take your eyes OFF work for an instant.
Use caution when buffing an article with sharp projections or openwork,
such as jewelry. It might catch in wheel and be torn out of your hands.
If wheel slows down, you are pressing too hard or your motor is too light
for your wheel.
Inspect plated work frequently, as plating is easily buffed off.
Use great care buffing plastics. Never permit them to overheat; it can
cause scoring, discoloration, or melting.
Do not wear loose clothing. It may catch in machinery and cause an accident.
Never allow your body or clothing to touch a revolving buff.
Work in a well-ventilated place to avoid dust accumulation.
"Always wear safety glasses & follow all safety precautions when using power tools"