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A polishing wheel is used to finish metal products, producing a smooth and shiny surface. It is mounted on a motor and uses different pads and polishing compounds depending on the metal. There are two techniques, cutting and coloring, and it can also be used to restore old metal pieces.
A polishing wheel is a piece of equipment used in the finishing of some metal products. If a finished product is to have a smooth, even, shiny surface, it will be polished. While polishing can be done manually, a buffing wheel is much faster and can produce more consistent results. Many hardware suppliers sell polishing wheels and the pads used with them. They can also be ordered through catalogs that stock metalworking supplies.
The wheel is mounted on a motor that turns it and can be of different widths. To use a buffing wheel, a pad is attached to the wheel and a small amount of a polishing compound is applied to the pad. The wheel is turned on and the workpiece being worked on is held against the buffing wheel. Periodically, more compound may be added. When the piece is polished, it becomes smooth and shiny. Pieces of metal with a highly polished finish are often said to be “polished,” but in reality they are more commonly polished.
A number of materials are used to make buffing wheel pads, including cotton, velvet, leather, and lambswool. The right product to use depends on the metal involved and the level of finish desired. There are also a number of options when it comes to polishing compounds designed for different metals. Metalworking textbooks often publish charts people can use to match metals with polishing materials, and experienced metalworkers are usually familiar with the options that work best for them.
In polishing, people may use two different techniques. Cutting involves moving the piece against the direction the wheel moves, while coloring moves the piece with the wheel. It takes time to learn how to use a buffing wheel properly. If the speed and pressure are wrong or the wrong materials are used, the metal can be abraded and, instead of being smooth and shiny, it will have lines and streaks. Metalworkers often practice with scrap as they become familiar with the process.
In addition to being used to refine new metal pieces, a polishing wheel can also be used to rehab old metal pieces. Metal that has been allowed to tarnish or stain can be buffed to gently remove the stains and restore the finish. Polishing compounds can seal the finish so the piece is less likely to stain again. Proper maintenance of finished metal pieces is important to avoid damaging them; if a piece becomes too stained, it may not be restoreable by polishing.
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