Buffing equipment for acrylic - where to get?

[Mike vonBuelow]

So I'm not really wanting to get a flame polisher at this point, so what is a good "starter set" to get for cleaning up acrylic edges?

Any 320+ grit sandpaper ?

Drill buffer attachment ?

[Dee Gallo]

Buy some microsanding pads. They go from 1500 grit to 12000 and work extremely well... if you can take the time to hand sand. I use them all the time and they are great. Washable and last pretty long, not very expensive from MicroMesh, Micro Surface, Lee Valley and hobby stores. If I have something really rough, I start with 200 grit, then automotive wet-dry 400 grit and then go right to 1500.

For a super shiny finish, nothing beats a Beall buffing system.

cheers, dee

edit: I think the hobby starter kit is something like $12.99 for all grits in 2" pads

[Mike vonBuelow]

Thanks Dee, you're always a big help! :D

[Martin Boekers]

You might check with the turners area here at SMC, as many polish plastic blanks.

[Chuck Stone]

+1 on the MicroMesh. Wet sand with a little dish detergent in the water.
They also make round pads that will work on your orbital sander if
you need to work on a large surface. The 1500 grade is roughly
equivalent to 400 grit sandpaper (US grading . 30 micron) so take
that into consideration for sanding first.

They can put a fairly high gloss on raw woods if they have a high oil
content.. and can polish a finish to a glass-like appearance.
If you need to go a step further, something like Plast-X will give
an even higher shine

[Mike vonBuelow]

-1 on trying to use a Dremmel buffing bit

too small to evenly hit the edge, ended up with a few 'divots' from my shaky hands



+1 for the experience of learning this

[Vaughan Raymond]

I've used a $8 propane torch for years with great results.