pipemakersforum.com

I knew you would find something to moan about

Carbide can be cut with other materials, even standard aluminium oxide will cut it but it's very slow and will wear quickly. Diamond is the best. I have a dedicated diamond "grinder" for honing my carbide tools but you can use hand hones as well, it's just slower. For hand honing I find it...

Flat top cutters will work for most things but technically they scrape rather than cut. This is fine when the edge is fresh and razor sharp (especially if you have micro burr on the edge) but once that edge dulls you start to get problems as you are presenting a very obtuse angle to the material. Wh...

I never mess with cutter height, all turning tools are on centre height (or as close as I can get), parting blade is a tiny bit above centre height, same for boring bars. Once set I never move them ( I have quick change holders). Tool needs to be super sharp and for most stem stock you need some dec...

Interesting.

Do you use the same buffing method for carnuba?

I have never seen anyone using such a complex method involving a heat gun and two different buffs.

Was this on a smooth pipe?

Nope, didn't know it was available. Will be interested to hear what happens.

Nothing wrong with that if you are happy paying the bill! lol

Absolutely. I tried a slack belt sander at Mimmo's shop and while I could see there were some useful applications, I preferred the methods I was already using. If I made more smooth pipes though I would build one, a really slow, flexible, long belt is superb for sanding bowls as you can follow the c...

Interesting. Sounds like the entire situation depends on the exact models of things used in a certain combination. If it works, it works, in other words; and if it doesn't, well... it didn't. lol My shop has two VFDs---one on a belt grinder, the other on a bench motor---and while spendy, those thin...

Well I stand corrected. For pipe making work I have found the best option for me is the cheapest 6" bench grinder I can buy. They cost me about £20, the current one has been running for about 3 years I think. Speed is 3000rpm which I use for sanding discs from 3" to 6". If you are goi...

Odd man out. Go to harbor freight, find the 9 inch angle grinder then with a 9" backing pad for sanding discs using PSA Sanding disc's. Search on line for a speed controller for angle grinders. Put it altogether and create a mount for it. Buy discs from Klingspor woodworking. End result, CHEAP...

Pfft, French wheels.

Renaissance wax or a similar restoration grade wax, easily found online. Apply with brush, let it sit until it start to feel tacky and then buff with a clean natural bristle brush. Fast, cheap, easy, you can do it while watching TV, Very easy for customers to reapply if needed though normally a quic...

Simpler to use a microcrystaline wax.

Pretty much. I have added arbours to my sanding pads so I am not clamping onto the threads but the basic premise is the same.

I use a chuck, much better than a threaded connection IMO as you can put anything in there.

That's great news.