Different Types Of Buffing Wheels

A buffing wheel is a finishing tool used to smooth the surface of a workpiece. Polishing wheels provide a smooth finish on metal surfaces. Almost any surface can be easily smoothed, buffed, blended or buffed with the help of buffing wheels. Grinders come with different types of buffs, each made for a specific task, so what do you know about the different types of buffs?

1. Cotton buffing wheels

Soft cotton buffs are made of cotton and are often used for final buffing with buffing rouge. Cotton buffs come in two forms, combed and uncombed. Uncombed cotton buffing wheels are great for roughing and removing marks from workpieces. Combed cotton buffing wheels are used for high-polish finishing touches on workpieces with polishing compounds.

2. Felt discs

Felt discs are made of wool fabric that is thick and compressive. They are ideal for all polishing processes. These buffing wheels will work with any polish used for cutting or buffing. They are the perfect buffing wheels for angle grinders to work on angles and corners, available in different densities from light to extra coarse.

3. Aluminum oxide flap wheels

These flap wheels are integrated with alumina abrasive grains to provide effective polishing. Flap wheels are flexible wheels that can be used on watch straps or non-ferrous metals for light deburring and polishing work. They can also be used on steel to create a satin finish and easily remove particles from metal surfaces.

4. Silicon carbide grinding wheel

Silicon carbide grinding wheel is a stronger, tougher grinding wheel compared to other buffing wheels. These wheels are ideal for light grinding, deburring, smoothing and cleaning all non-ferrous metals as well as non-metallic materials such as glass.

5. Nylon and wire wheels and brushes

Nylon wire wheels are the perfect buffing wheels for scrubbing, deburring, and smoothing rough surfaces. Wire wheels and brushes are also made of brass and steel bristles, brass wire brushes for gold, copper and brass workpieces. Wire brushes are best for polishing white metals such as silver, white gold, platinum, and aluminum.