The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource - Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question

Thomas Heck Active Member Offline Jesus Saves! Posts: 189 Gender:	Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question 04/22/12 at 18:25:05 I've been thinking about getting a beall buffing system for my lathe. I was just curious as to what setting you keep the belt on and do you use in reverse or forward. I usually turn with it in the middle settings. Thanks for the help, us newbies have alot to learn, and it seem there is plenty of good help here.
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JimQuarles WR Administrator WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 10842 Gender:	Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question Reply #1 - 04/22/12 at 20:06:16 Don't get the "3 on a Lathe" set where they are mounted on one shaft. They are too close together to be effective. I use individual wheels and mount with the Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or adapter to connect to the spindle.
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Rev. Doug Miller WR Patron Offline Working flat so I can support my addiction. Posts: 9602 Gender:	Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question Reply #2 - 04/22/12 at 20:31:50 I would agree with Jim. I'll add that if using on the lathe that you want your lathe spinning toward you at about 1700 rpm's. A light touch and allowing the compound to do its work will go a long way to achieving the results you are after
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Ken Vaughan

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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #3 - 04/22/12 at 20:41:37

You can get buffs at Don Pencils as well as the mounting fixture (it is headstock threaded on one end and 3/8 by 16 on the other). You will need a buff for each of your compounds -- that could be one for rouge, one for white diamond, one for carnuba, one for Ren Wax, and One for plastic polish.

I carefully store each buff in a separate bag to avoid contamination. Getting rouge on your wax buff is not the way to get a good shine.

I use 3 or 4 inch bowl buffs for most everything and only occasionally mount a traditional wheel.

Faster is generally quicker, but middle speeds are better for learning.

Good surface prep, sandig to a smooth even surface makes for a nice shine. All scratches become visible when polished.

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John Lawson

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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #4 - 04/22/12 at 20:54:42

I had used a Beall system at a club open shop and liked the result. When doing research on buffing systems (remembering that I only turn small items) I discovered that I could get 4" buffs and everything else I needed a la carte from Don Pencil, and saved about $40. The only problems I've had have been "user error". So, +1 for Don Pencil. I keep each buff and its compound is a separate plastic food storage container.

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« Last Edit: 04/22/12 at 20:55:57 by John Lawson »

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Ðave Wendell

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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #5 - 04/22/12 at 21:32:13

Ditto on Don Pencil's adapter thumbsup

As far as buffing speeds, 900 - 1200 rpm has been my most successful range.

Having gotten into shooting lacquer recently, I found that the compounds supplied with the beal system a bit to course for the lacquer. Upon the advice of my buddy that builds some really awesome guitars, I have switched to using the medium and fine compounds made by Menzerna. After sanding to 1500 - 2000 grit, it just shines it up like nobody's business. Don't get me wrong, the beal compounds are very useful on a lot of things. I just find the Menzerna better for lacquer.

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Vaughn McMillan

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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #6 - 04/23/12 at 00:19:56

Ditto on the Don Pencil adapter and the somewhat lower speeds (800 - 1200 rpm). When I'm using Don's "PL" compound, I run at about 800 rpm (as he recommends), but with tripoli and white diamond I run closer to 1200 rpm. I do want to try the Menzerna compounds, though. As Dave mentioned, it's the stuff a LOT of guitar makers use.

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Thomas Heck Active Member Offline Jesus Saves! Posts: 189 Gender:	Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question Reply #7 - 04/23/12 at 03:17:26 Thanks for all the info. I'll check out his stuff before ordering.
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Mike Nathal

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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #8 - 04/24/12 at 08:20:28

Ðave Wendell wrote on 04/22/12 at 21:32:13:

Having gotten into shooting lacquer recently, I found that the compounds supplied with the beal system a bit to course for the lacquer.Upon the advice of my buddy that builds some really awesome guitars, I have switched to using the medium and fine compounds made by Menzerna.After sanding to 1500 - 2000 grit, it just shines it up like nobody's business.Don't get me wrong, the beal compounds are very useful on a lot of things.I just find the Menzerna better for lacquer.

Wasn't quite sure what you meant: Sanding to 1500 -2000 grit BEFORE using Menzerna, or do the Menzerna compounds themselves polish to those grits?

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Vaughn McMillan

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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #9 - 04/24/12 at 09:51:12

Mike Nathal wrote on 04/24/12 at 08:20:28:

Wasn't quite sure what you meant: Sanding to 1500 -2000 grit BEFORE using Menzerna, or do the Menzerna compounds themselves polish to those grits?

It depends on which specific Menzerna compounds you're using. In the dry "stick" style compounds, they make five different grits, starting with a 600 grit "pre-polish" and going up from there. Their second coarsest dry compound is 800-1000 grit equivalent, then they have three compounds that are finer than that.

Personally, when I'm using the tripoli/white diamond routine (or the Don Pencil PL compound), I stop sanding at 600 (wet, if possible) and go straight to the compounds. Sanding to any finer grit seems unnecessary, since the tripoli or PL will remove the 600 grit scratches.

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Ken Vaughan

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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #10 - 04/24/12 at 10:11:47

There are two different systems of classification. ANSI/CAMI - US uses numbers

there is also a European (FEPA/EURO) system with sandpapers of that system widely available, and as the numbers go up, the difference in the particle size in microns changes a lot. The FEPA system has "P" in front of the numbers Then there is MicroMesh with a set of numbers they use themselves. There are grit comparison charts available on the Web --

One I like with MicroMesh is

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or

I cannot attach one (PDF) which uses a micron scale on the right hand side for consistent reference, and shows different sharpening polishing systems. I you want it, drop me an e-mail and I will share it.

Add to the confusion, not all polishing compounds with the same name have the same size abrasives -- and some (especially at low price) have a wide range of grit sizes in the compound.

I have a friend in the auto paint and finish business that foams at the mouth when talking about confusion in abrasives.

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JimQuarles WR Administrator WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 10842 Gender:	Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question Reply #11 - 04/24/12 at 10:44:07 The one you gave has the Micron level as the third column from the right. I keep a copy in the shop.
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Thomas Heck Active Member Offline Jesus Saves! Posts: 189 Gender:	Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question Reply #12 - 04/24/12 at 17:25:51 For buffing bowls, what basically do I need to order from Don Pencil? I emailed him, but haven't gotten a reply yet. What extension would I need. Thanks,
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Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question
Reply #13 - 04/24/12 at 18:49:41

I would recommend the 8" extension. That would ensure clearance for just about anything your lathe can turn. I've got one of the 8" extensions and one of the 12" ones, but I use the 8 incher the most. I've also got four wheels...one each for tripoli, white diamond, wax*, and PL compound. You could get by with just three wheels and skip the PL (like the Beall set), but now that I've tried it, the PL compound is the one I use the most. I've also got a set of four of the 4" bowl buffs, but I very seldom use them. Most of the stuff I turn is large enough that I can get to the inside surfaces with the 8" wheels. For someone with a smaller lathe, though, the bowl buffs might be much more useful than for me.

* I don't like or use carnauba wax, so my wax buffing wheel is essentially a clean wheel that I use to buff a piece after I've hand-applied Renaissance wax to a piece and let it dry.

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Thomas Heck Active Member Offline Jesus Saves! Posts: 189 Gender:	Re: Delta 46-460 & Beall Buff Question Reply #14 - 04/24/12 at 19:01:58 Thanks Vaughn, I will probably need the bowl buffs also since I turn some smaller bowls. Do you buff natural edge bowls?
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