One Buff, One Compound
Never use the same buff with different compounds. Always mark your buff with the name of the compound it is used with.
Stitched or unstitched?
Stitched buffs work great for scratch removal and also work well for final polishing. Unstitched buffs aren’t firm enough for rapid cutting with abrasive compounds. Unstitched buffs are great for polishing contoured items.
Will Size Matter?
The larger the buff the faster the buff surface is traveling, creating heat build up and potentially damaging detailed areas. Large buffs (6”–8”) are most popular in commercial polishing shops. Smaller buffs (3”–5”) give greater control and less heat build up.
Safety Measures
Polishing on a polishing lathe can be one of the most dangerous things jewelers do. Always wear eye protection. Even with a strong dust collection system you should consider wearing a respirator. Never wrap a chain around a finger to polish it – you can lose the finger in an instant. Tapered spindles are sharp so let the motor come to a complete stop before removing a buff.