How to Polish With a Bench Grinder

Bench grinders are suited to polishing and buffing. However, the installed grinding wheel or wire brush wheel needs to be changed out. Polishing and buffing with the wrong wheel installed will destroy the piece you're working on. Users can swap out the wheels on most bench grinders. Polishing with a bench grinder involves changing the wheel, setting the rest, setting the speed and performing the work.

Things You'll Need

• Wrenches
• Spacers
• Buffing wheel
• Compound

Instructions

1. Turn the power to the "Off" position and unplug the power cord from the wall. Access the tool rest by moving the eye shield out of the way. Then move the tool rest out of the way. Turn the quick-release knob and remove it from the guard. Rotate the wheel cover and release it from the inner wheel guard.

2. Remove the grinding wheel by placing a wrench on the one nut and the included grinder wrench on the other nut and rotate the wrenches in opposite directions. The left-hand nut rotates clockwise to loosen and the right hand-nut rotates counterclockwise to loosen. Remove the outer wheel flange and the wheel.

3. Insert the buffing wheel with spacers if the nuts won't tighten. One spacer should go on the shaft first, then add any further spacers adjacent to the nuts. Use the existing wheel flanges. Replace the hardware from the first step, adjust the rest so that your work piece rests comfortably on the wheel.

4. Set the wheel to a high-speed setting and very gently touch the object to be polished against the wheel as it spins. Buff the object. Don't force the object onto the wheel and lift away repeatedly to avoid friction heat buildup.

References

• Craftsman: 8-inch Bench Grinder Owner's Manual