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I build 2 or 3 guitars a year and need an economical way to buff out bridges with Menerza. What do people suggest? There are fairly cheap buffers out there (1/3 hp). Is that the way to go or are there other suggestions. Thanks

http://www.Stewmac.com they sell buffing pads that you can attach to your drill. I have tried many methods and like the good old buffing wheel the best. I have a smaller one (not setup yet) for doing just frets...but since it's not up and running I can't comment on that.But suppose you could dedicate a small one to bridges...why not?

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Your local Ace Hardware sells cotton buffing pads that mount in your drill also. These are about 6" in diameter and there are several weights available. The drill mounting assembly is sold separately, but the whole rig is around $10. They are the perfect size for bridges but you will work yourself to death to try to buff a whole guitar with them.

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Reguards,

Ken H

Dave...what-in-the-name-of-everything-holy.... made you chose your avatar?

long

I use my drill press rigged with buffs and it really works pretty well. One thing to remember is, unless your drill press is heavy duty, using it for buffing could shorten it's life-span... Drill presses really aren't meant to be used that way.

Oh... thanks Dave, for changing you avatar. The new one is much nicer!

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

And micro-mesh pads will shine up a bridge, pins chucked in the cordless drill too, very nicely and only cost something like $10.

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Hesh
Ann Arbor, MI USA
http://www.heshtone.com

I use an auto buffer (similar to an electric drill, but with a right angle head), with both wool and
sponge applicators. I think the right angle drive makes it a lot easier to control the buffing. It's
more expensive than just using my drill, but I feel it's worth it. I've found a good source for the
hardware is http://www.autobodystore.com/. I've bought my spray guns and polishers
from them. I use Meguiars for the polishing compounds, since they are available locally.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

I just use my regular Stewmac buffer, with a wheel that is only used for this of course.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

If you have a Dremel you can buy little cotton buffing pads for it that should do the job. I use these with polishing compound to dress up frets. These are NOT the felt disks...they'll burn right through your wood. Just one more idea for the mix.



Otherwise I use a buffing arbor I bought from StewMac after trying various random orbit polishers with different polishing pads. I too only build a couple of guitars a year but I buff the entire body (but not the bridge). IMHO it's safer to hold the guitar to the buffing wheel than to hold the buffer to the guitar. Safer for the guitar, that is! I agonized over the decision to purchase the buffer and once I got it, I have no regrets.

I suppose I could invest in another buffing wheel and use it to shine my shoes. That is, if I ever got around to shining my shoes.

I like the effect of steel wool to "buff" the bridge. Start with coarse (0) and go to super fine (000 or 0000). Not as glossy as buffing. Simple and cheap.

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/