doctor in the house?

[Doug Elliott]

Bloke is correct. There isn't much that can be done to shield ones self from buffing compound that's been thrown from a high-speed buffing wheel. I run two 10" diameter x 4" wide wheels at around 3,000 rpm powered by a five HP motor. Grit goes EVERYWHERE... even gets BEHIND safety glasses. I think about the only thing that would work is one of those Tyvek suits that has an air supply that keeps a positive pressure inside.... and that would be very cumbersome and limit visibility.

I speak from experience....

A 10" wheel at 3000 rpm is ENTIRELY too fast SFM for buffing... it's no damn wonder it gets everywhere.

[Dan Schultz]

.... A 10" wheel at 3000 rpm is ENTIRELY too fast SFM for buffing... it's no damn wonder it gets everywhere.

This is an edit. My earlier response agreeing with you is incorrect....

Here's the 'poop' of buffer speeds... http://www.schaffnermfg.com/speed-chart.html

My buffing spindle is driven by a 5HP 3,4500 motor with an 83% speed reduction through two pulleys. The buffs are 10" diameter when new. That equates to 7,497 surface feet per minute... right in line with manufacturing recommendations.

Even my 'rinky-dink' pedestal buffer/grinder drives a thin 8" diameter wheel for 7,450 SFPM.

What are you buffing with?

[tofu]

Every few years, I'll buy some more fronts for my face shield, and - after a day or two - stick it back in the bottom drawer. The silica scratches those face shields pretty quickly, and - yeah - they fog up in the winter. If they aren't scratched when the silica hits them, they end up scratched when (even very gingerly) trying to clean them.

The problem with buffing is the extremely high level of vision that is required to judge the quality of the work one is doing.

thanks for all of the suggestions!

Perhaps the multiple tear off visor protectors that open wheel racers use on their helmet face shields would work. Fast and easy to do in a fast paced operating environment.

[MileMarkerZero]

Have you considered a...



You could actually probably build one fairly reasonably out of 1/8" plexiglass and silicone caulk. Cut the sleeves out of a raincoat and duct tape surgical gloves to the ends. Cut an exhaust port and hook up a shop-vac to it, and...Voila!

[opus37]

The standard industrial solution is to put in local ventilation. Basically, an elephant trunk or flexable hose with a small hood on it. That hood should be placed such that it collects the particles from the buffing and pulls them away from you. The suction through the hose needs to be great enough to capture the particles. There are mathematical calculations that will help size such a system. Not a cheap solution, but it is cheaper and less painful that the health problems likely from continued exposure to theses particles. There are also industrial helmets that have built in positive pressure. A cheaper but still expensive solution. 3M sells them and maybe MSA. They have a film that goes on the face shield that b=can be peeled off and replaced when scratched. Think of it as a big piece of scotch tape that is clear.

[tubagroupie]

Please don't ever put petrolatum products on your face. They can be really irritating; I am so glad you went with the shortening.

[ghmerrill]

If you want to really get serious ...

http://sandblaster-parts.com/index.php? ... ct_id=3000

There are tear-off lenses available for this as well. Pricey, but it's a business expense and eliminates a lot of danger to lungs and eyes.

[Dean E]

Now would be a good time to follow the lead of auto dealerships' service departments and tack on a "materials" surcharge to cover the tear-off strips.

[ghmerrill]

And a hazardous waste disposal fee.

[Dan Schultz]

I love this picture!

I showed it to my wife and reminded her who you were. She reminded me..." we own him and his lovely wife lunch, don't we?"

Yes we do. Collect anytime!

We'll make it back up your way again one of these days. I was in Grand Rapids in April for NABBA... and back in Muskegon in May for the Association of Concert Bands Convention.

[Doug Elliott]

I realize that buffing tubas, you need full access and an enclosure is not possible; but it probably is possible to create plexiglas or Lexan shields and work with improving the hood situation to improve air flow into it and catch more splatter and dust. You can minimize the splatter by keeping the SFM on the low side and keeping the wheel and workpiece from getting too hot. There are a lot of different style buffing wheels available - maybe try some different ones. They all behave differently depending on size, thickness, and speed.

[sloan]

Four words: KY Yours and Mine