Barrel polishing?

[LVLAaron]

You fellas who get perfectly shiny barrels - How are you doing it?

I have a 2x72 belt grinder, and various belts, and some belts made for jewelers rouge. I get "pretty acceptable" results but I just don't get that classic car shine.

Instead of a barrel spinner, I've considered spinning the barrel in an ancient wood turning lathe I have buried somewhere... but I'm obviously missing something with what medium I need to be using to sand/polish.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Guess a bead polished finish (usually for extra cost) doesn't help thermal property much.
Is this a pretty vs function thing?

 

[urbanrifleman]

Barrel spinner. Belt sander.

320 belt
worn 320 belt
800 grit
1200 grit
Polishing belt with white bar compound.

Shines like a mirror.

 

[LVLAaron]

How long does that 1200 grit belt last you?

I've been running trizact belts, they cut great and leave a super consistent finish. But for the price they aren't worth it.

The white rouge is 1 micron?

 

[LVLAaron]

Is this a pretty vs function thing

yep

 

[Will Henry]

I polish with a barrel spinner and a 2x48 belt sander. I'll polish to a 600 grit then finish with a well worn 600. If I want really shiny, I'll then go to jewelers rouge on a cotton polishing wheel. I've used a felt wheel but don't like it as well as the stitched cotton. If I'm bluing a barrel, I usually stop at 400, unless someone wants a really shiny gun. The important thing with polishing is to not move to the next grit until all previous marks are gone. WH

 

[Fast14riot]

I've not polished a barrel, but have polished a lot of stainless tubing pulpits and pushpits. Abrasive discs or pads, then sanding from about 400-600 up to about 1500. Then pink or white rouge on spiral sewn linen, finish on loose cotton wheel.

 

[DaveTooley]

In a lathe up to 400 grit then Scotchbrite pads. That's as far as I'll go. Then hose it down with WD40 before I touch it.

 

[Walt Krafft]

I do like Dave. Fine Scotchbright to finish.

 

[Fuj]

Scotchbright and crocus. I just did an old bead blast barrel for a
friend. Wiped that barrel down with light oil and hit it with a red
pad, followed buy a green one. Looked good, so cranked the lathe
up to 700 rpm and rubbed it out with some old blue jeans material.

 

[LVLAaron]

Thanks y'all. 3m pads is the way to go.

The belt grinder is awesome, but it sure makes a mess.

 

[Larry Koch]

Set up a wood lathe, for barrels. Picked up cheap at a garage sale. Polish as needed with 800 grit and 1200 grit. sheet sand paper. Wipe with Spray Way glass cleaner.

 

[ridgeway]

Finish ain't gonna help on target, haha. If I put a finish on...barrel spinner and 600 grit belt. High polish is way too much work.

 

[243winxb]

Glove caught while spin polishing a barrel on lathe.
alinwa @ Benchrest Central.

https://benchrest.com/forum/threads/alinwa-the-safety-geek-broke-the-rules-tonite.88612/​

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Severed thumb​

 

[Larryh128]

The light reflection might help by hindering the competition. LOL

 

[Larryh128]

Glove caught while spin polishing a barrel on lathe.
alinwa @ Benchrest Central.

Severed thumb​

View attachment 1609060

One thing I was told many years ago, NEVER wear gloves while using a lathe or mill. If they are necessary, wear the Nitrile gloves that will rip apart.

 

[Stumpy1]

Glove caught while spin polishing a barrel on lathe.
alinwa @ Benchrest Central.

https://benchrest.com/forum/threads/alinwa-the-safety-geek-broke-the-rules-tonite.88612/​

​

Severed thumb​

View attachment 1609060

OW!OW!OW!OW!OW!
OW!
OW!
OW!
Thank you for the reminder -machinery has no feelings and doesn't forgive.
Frank

 

[urbanrifleman]

Thanks y'all. 3m pads is the way to go.

The belt grinder is awesome, but it sure makes a mess.

I made a fixture out of cardboard that wraps around the machine at the base of the belt and goes to a dust collector. No dust.

Dust was a problem. No doubt. Not now.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Glove caught while spin polishing a barrel on lathe.
alinwa @ Benchrest Central.

https://benchrest.com/forum/threads/alinwa-the-safety-geek-broke-the-rules-tonite.88612/​

​

Severed thumb​

View attachment 1609060

I would never sand anything more than a crown or something like that on my lathes. Never. Ever.

The guy that told me to buy a belt sander did me a favor. Probably the most important barrel making machine in the shop next to the actual lathe.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I charge for high polish. A few customers pay for it.