How to polish steel
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- Опубликовано: 28 янв 2017
- In this video I polish some high carbon steel using an angle grinder and a Dronco polishing kit. This kit makes polishing steel very easy and you can get great results, even a mirror like finish on some steels. The kit is available on ebay-fave.co/2jB5wKF
Хобби
I'm still very busy on site but managed to film this one night after work. The polishing kit I used is this one- fave.co/2jB5wKF
I hope everyone has a good Sunday ;-)
Lovely, so shiny! I remember we used something similar to buff steel on a grinder. Was a cloth wheel which we added the buffing compound. Got similar results. However I remember we were polishing all sorts of things, not necessarily school work lol nice video, good to hear from you again.
Thanks Zed Man, I almost got another video filmed yesterday LOL.
We had a bench polisher at college, but were not allowed to use it and had to polish metal the best we could using wet and dry paper!
Thanks for the comment ;-)
I need to buy some polished metal designs plates I’ve been looking everywhere finally found your page. Look forward to hearing back from you.
As usual, thanks very much for the expertise - very interesting and informative.
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment ;-)
Amazing. I had no idea such disks existed. I'm not surprised they exist, needful things and such. I am amazed there not advertised more.
Thanks for the comment
Thanks for the video! 👌
Those little complete polishing kits are affordable and a very good option for the DIY guy. 👍✌
Yes they are!
Thanks for the comment 👍
Nice job ultimate handyman 👌 I've turn a few people onto your channel. The gripping comparison was very helpful. Keep up the great work 👍
Thanks very much ;-)
Great video about grinding and polishing. Appreciate it! Thanks!
Thanks for the comment
Best demonstration yet!
Thanks for the comment ;-)
This is so satisfying, one you start polishing i couldn't stop watching hahaha
😂
Thanks for the information Chez. Appreciate it!
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment
Nice video. I had a bit of time to cleaned up my tools. I got an old bricklayers trowel I may have bought in the 1970s which was a quality steel made in U.K.. The wooden handle is split I even sanded that. The labels or shall I say imprints revealed the engraved model under the cement. I never knew about the white felt pads. I have the blue felt pad and also for hand held drill. I'm toying with the idea of using 1,000 and 1,200 grit on my small 80mm sander.
I make my furniture from steel and it's nice cleaning it up. I even bought a scrap piece of stainless steel and cleaned it up to use as a mitre rod for cornice work as me tools got stolen and the tool is only available from overseas.
Another great video. Really helpful. Thanks
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
I found a bunch of these discs for free, and I've always wanted to learn how to use them xDD thank you for this video!!
Glad I could help!
Thanks for the comment 👍
Hello Mate! Do you have a list of progression and the numbers of coarseness for the flap discs?
Cheers from across the pond
Fantastic, I genuinely enjoyed this, and it is useful to see how you approached the procedures.
I'd be interested in seeing a follow up video on metal corrosion protection, as polishing metals can't protect them from skin acids/water ingress etc.
this is a fox wedge, be using it as a tool, if its handled often enough, it will build up a greyish patina which somewhat protects it, nothing you can do will help as it will get scraped off anyway as a tool.
jusb1066 Thanks for the help! I was asking for a lesson in corrosion protection in general, not for these particular tools, but I appreciate your answer nonetheless!
Thankyou for the info!
I am building a glass studio and a nice smooth surface is ideal.
Glad it was helpful!
Interesting and great to see how to polish steel from a to b- All the prosess to get it nice. Thanks. have agreat week
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment ;-)
Awesome video! My next knife is gonna shine! Thank you for making this video!
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
thanks for making this video, very instructional
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
Thank you for the video and wow I knew there had to be an easier way to polish steel I had been looking for something better than my hands you may have saved me a lot of time I might order them but first I’ve got to look for something like this in the states.
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
Just bought it ha
@@burnttoast2615 what'd you find in the states? I looked up the one he used in the vid and it's expensive to have it shipped to the U.S
My hardware store didnt have a polishing kit for an angle grinder but they had one for a drill. I’m going to use my corded because i think this will take a while
Yes, it will take much longer if using a drill as they rotate at a much lower speed.
Thanks for the comment
First time I'm sold just got into this thanks for information
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment 👍
This intro is easily the best on youtube
Thanks ;-)
Man, thanks a lot, very useful video!
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment
Nice tutorial! thanks!
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
Always Helpful Thanks
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment ;-)
Thanks a lot for your reply 👌🏻
You are welcome ;-)
Lovely
thanks so much for making this video, you are a don!
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment
Steel looks real nice when polished. I figured the more shiny a tool is the easier it is to clean and for cement or plaster to stick to.
The bricklayers tool gets rusty easy and it pits .
I'm thinking of hanging up highly polished tools as it looks so nice. These days many tools are stainless steel. I think they should make or maybe I should actually make a stainless steel trowel. Just don't break bricks with it. I think that is the soul reason why bricklayers trowels are made from steel. I use a bolster or brick cutter which has a lot less waste. Except I haven't ever welded stainless steel. I do have a welder and tig welder. Just haven't set up for gas.
Yes, all metal looks great when polished.
I think you can get stainless steel trowels, but they are more expensive, but should last a lifetime.
I never cut bricks with a trowel, I always use a hammer and chisel but professional brickies are great at it and have a lot of skill.
Thanks for the comment
Thank you for this post. I am restoring antique fans. They often come with poorly molded iron parts with numerous "negative" holes and cracks, carved outside in. it is too numerous to treat it individually and too small to use bi-component epoxy compound (cold welding). Can you recommend any filler compound to use on bare iron ? or other method ?
No, sorry. If we get holes in metal on site, we normally fill them with the welder, then grind it back.
Thanks for the comment 👍
Hello Mr. Handyman
i have a questions, for using those polishing disc, is it necessary to have a variable speed grinder? or just at 10000 rpms is ok?..
Hi, no. You do not need a variable speed grinder, the discs are designed to run at the speed of the grinder.
Thanks for the comment
thank you..
@@ultimatehandyman Dedicated buffing machines run between 3500 rpm and 7500 rpm, there is a reason for this. Angle grinders run about 10000 or more. It easy to burn the pad and end up with a dark crispy pad that needs to be cleaned or tossed if you are not very careful. You obviously have a lot of skill so this did not happen to you. Thanks for the video, it is very good.
Would have been a good idea to mention what grit each flap disc was that you used.
👍
TKS for showing the process, would you share brand of the kit, wasn't visible during the video.. any suggestions on where to get all polishing items showing and what would be the cost of it? Tks for your help.
It was a Dronco polishing kit, they are about £17
fave.co/2vysbeg
Thanks for the comment
nice, you can see your face in it! (not sure if good or bad! lol) i bought some flap discs that are alternate emery and scotch brite just for light deburring, they give a nice finish (they were super cheap as well) amazing the things they sell, most amazing thing ive seen a grinder do is wood, they have a wood carving disc, i saw a bloke carve a statue freehand with it
Thanks, yes these kinds of discs are great on metal.
I'm not sure about some of the wood discs though, especially the chain saw type discs as it said with the Bosch cordless grinder that I reviewed recently not to use them.
I have used a normal sanding disc for scalloping wood in the past-
ruclips.net/video/RLpv3JE9gDo/видео.html
Thanks for the comment ;-)
jusb1066
can't find your other post so I replied here... for paint removal it didn't work well yo me... the paint stick with this wheel every time on the surface...
oh dear, they have been great for paint removal for me, rust on cars etc
Hi there. Are you I still in operation. I wanted to enquire about the metals
I've watched several vids now on polishing metal... just curious, techniques others have... oddly what has become prevalent are people not going through all the grits... metal smoothness starts with the first grit and as you painstakingly work the metal to the next scratch size, (one method wet sanding with WD and Emery) going through all the grits... it is only then you will achieve an almost chrome shine...actually you end up with a darker chrome that resembles nickel-plate... use Flitz or Autosol to bring it up to a chrome finish...any micro and I mean micro hairline scratches will be removed for an near-perfect shine...I'm just saying...most all vids I have seen state how to polish steel to look like chrome and/or to a mirror finish...not seen it...here's a good tip I got from a retired Mill Wright...use the reverse side of 800 grit and up, Emery paper as a strap in place of leather for a extreme edge, axe or knife...you'll be amazed...
Very helpful. Is this worth doing on something like A2 steel (if it's kept in the house and dry will the shine last)?
I'm not sure about steel grades, so I'm not sure- sorry.
I think A2 is low quality "Chinese" steel. Probably mixed with all kinds of things to sell it cheaper. Generally when I buy it it is less shiny and rough. Threaded rods feel like they grind when winding nuts on them.
Good video. Down to the point. Thanks for doing so. Now youtubers take ones time saying nothing.
One question: if i want a mate finish, should just skip the last do steps? Thanks
You'll get a duller finish for certain if you miss the last 2 steps, but it won't quite be matte - you might have to sand blast it/soda blast it to get that kind of finish.
Thanks for the comment
@@ultimatehandyman And, in terms of rust resistance? i am make a rustic paella pan.
This steel will go rusty if it is left in wet conditions.
Not sure about pan making. I've heard some bad things about pans-
You Can't use Aluminium
You can't use Teflon
You can't use cast iron
I really do not know what the best metal is for making pans, sorry.
Hi, Chez you said they were high carbon but would they still need a coat of acf-50 or similar to stop rust?
I have never heard of acf-50, it looks interesting- I'll get some of that for future use ;-)
The steel using in this video came from some old fork lift truck forks, which do not normally rust but can go dull over time. I might give them a spray of clear lacquer although after one week in my tool box my original pair have not even started to dull or anything.
Thanks for the comment ;-)
thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment ;-)
I am a bit of novice. Just wondering could you give examples of applications that polishing steel is used for. Thanks
Shane Mack good work
You can polish most steels, so if you make something from steel such as a handrail and you want it shiny you could polish it. Some steels will quickly rust though, so they will need a coat of protective lacquer to stop them from rusting.
Thanks for the comment
To polish your CyberTruck
Hi there, Any idea what the grit of these are? We don't have any sort of these kits in my country and it could cost an arm and a leg to get it imported. I've started making swords and knifes for a hobby and don't know all too much in the way of polishing. Thanks buddy!
I don't think they have specific grits like the flap discs do.
The polishing discs are made from a material similar to Scotchbrite pads, apart from the one you use last which looks like it's made from felt.
Which country are you in?
Thanks for the comment
I see. Thanks for that, I assumed they just normal flap disc. I'm going to have to do a a lot more research on this, I don't want to bite the bullet yet! ha.
And a big Hello from New Zealand.
Cheers for taking the time to get back to me as well.
I'm going to polish any and all metal I can find around the house now :D
LOL
Not a single one yet, I'm just so lazy (and cheap).
You are like me
What about cro-mo can it be polish like mirror like finish and would I use that first buffer wheel with the cotton like feel with that gray compound then the last one with the blue compound
Not sure, I have never tried polishing cro-mo before 🤔
Thanks for the comment 👍
Question, I've done a bit of surface grinding at 40, 60,and 80 grits on a piece. The metal is cleaned up now but it has the brush marks from the grinder discs.. the stuff you are using is it much higher grits and where can I get it? Is it all sold as one kit? Also, can I get a similar finish on metal sanding with a random orbit sander. Thanks for the video..
I think you will struggle with a orbiting sander to be honest.
The stuff I used was in a kit - fave.co/2GkKOvJ
Thanks for the comment
@@ultimatehandyman thanks for the feedback. My concern is how to take a piece (barstool frame) up through successively higher grits if they don't have those grits available at the store for the grinder? Like 400 grit and up. I don't have a belt sander. Anyway I'll check out the kits. Do they have a specific name?
I just know them as a Dronco metal polishing kit.
Good luck with the project ;-)
Hey could you tell me what do you use to then keep the metal from getting surface rust just from air humidity?
You could give it a coating of light oil, or for something more permanent you could apply lacquer etc.
Question. I want to restore and repaint my drill press (KTF-13 from the 80s and stands about 4ft tall). would this method be good for the table and other parts that need to be cleand and polioshed? Yes I'm new and looking for solid advise before spendin $ on things that I don't need.
Perhaps just a paint removal disc will be best- ruclips.net/video/aMQMk7J94u8/видео.html
It depends how polished you want the drill press to be. I would not polish the table to be honest, as you want some friction for the vice etc.
@@ultimatehandyman Thanks!!!!
How do you preserve the polished steel? Would you have to put a clear coat on it after it was polished?
Ideally a clear lacquer should be applied, or else certain steel will rust quickly.
Thanks for the comment
I have wondered whether metal polishing is technically extremely fine grinding or just polishing like dish-washing. I was searching for that and watched this video. I think the former is right?
I would imagine that the former is correct ;-)
Thanks for the comment 👍
i have all these in mini size and the discs on a dremel will that work on a solid stainless steel JD hip flask I bought for a friend? it only has the most minute scratching on it anyway
You might be better off just using a polishing compound and polishing cloth, anything abrasive might make a right mess of the finish.
@@ultimatehandyman cheers mate !
Is there somewhere other than E-Bay that I can buy these? They are sold out and I need to get some
I can't find them on Amazon, but found them on ebay- fave.co/2ScTLuP
Thanks for the comment 👍
Awesome
Thanks for the comment 👍
Thanks for showing your technique. I would, however, suggest that you slow down your movements and do cohesive passes, with all strokes of the disc aligned in the same direction. Then, do a few passes at 90 degrees to the previous passes, but slow down and reduce the number of passes. Slowing down enough that the disc can rotate several times per mm; making a finer grind pattern. And ALWAYS rotate your grind pattern 90 degrees when switching to a finer grit.
Thanks for the tips!
I polish a lot of stainless steel and aluminium on by bench grinder which I'v converted over to a polisher, I'v never bothered polishing steel because it would just rust eventually ?
Normal steel will rust, unless of course you lacquer it. The steel in this video is high carbon steel so it should stop shiny for a while.
Thanks for the comment
1:38 flips viewers
That is the same exact to the the color vice and grinder my dad has
And what other metals will this work for
I've only used this on steel, but I'm sure you can polish most metals with this kit.
Thanks for the comment
ini dapat membantu saya dalam mengerjakan tugas di bengkel .
Terima kasih atas komentarnya
If you’d went one more step after the blue wheel, before the white wheel. Or spent more time with the first white wheel. It would come to a mirror.
👍
What is that first flap disc you used? Like what abrasive level was it?
I think it was 80 grit.
Thanks for the comment 👍
Hi, do you have any videos on polishing very weathered brass?
This is a really old video, but might help-
ruclips.net/video/qRQpjIp0m40/видео.html
Thanks for the comment
@@ultimatehandyman thank you. Most of the content i already know now. Im going to try a dremmel tool. I didn't get much control with the drill attachment. But i never gave a thought about laquer 🤦♂️ im glad i asked now. Thanks again.
@@seandanes3945 If you don't apply clear lacquer, the brass will soon tarnish again.
Thanks for the comments ;-)
What is the initial disc that you are using, that isn't included in the polishing set?
It's a flap disc, they come in different grades depending on the coarseness of the abrasive. They are much better then a grinding disc for a lot of jobs.
Thanks for the comment
Thanks!
You are welcome
what's the temperature over there at the moment it must be winter because I can see the fog coming out when your talking lol
Yusuf Maltese at nights its around 1.C
It's cold LOL
Today it is about 6 degrees C but dropped to minus temperatures overnight. It's hard work trying to do anything in the garage when it's this cold!
Thanks for the comment
yes it is hard work at near zero, wood glue doesnt, epoxy is like concrete, metal is almost wet due to the humidity and power cables all stiff, its no fun, just short stints then give up!
would this work on an old estwing hammer..? To bring back the shine..
Yes it should work, but if the rust is not too bad you might be able to bring it back using a Scotchbrite pad or similar- fave.co/2mybBqN
Thanks for that will try that. :)
Good.
Thanks
I dont even wear goggles when i use my grinder, maybe i should start
Yes, you should, I always wear safety glasses and full face visor. Just do a Google search for "angle grinder accidents"
Thanks for the comment
Damn youtube - just realised now I was somehow unsubbed from your channel late 2015. Seems I have a lot of good vids to catch up on now - and probably a lot of tools to add to the wish list too. Congrats on 145k subs chez.
Welcome back ;-)
Thanks for the congratulations, only another 850k subs before I get a Gold play button ;-)
Thanks for the comment
I want to polish a beer keg any tips
I'm not sure what kind of finish you would get on aluminium 🤔
Thanks for the comment 👍
Where can I get discs like these??
You can get them from eBay or Amazon, if you search for "grinder polishing kit metal", or similar.
Example here- amzn.to/3IFRtfp
Use a ultra fine for that full mirror effect, but it will take ages.
Thanks for the comment
in the US prisons, they use a metal mirror as its unbreakable (might make good shivs though?) so that will have to be polished to a pretty good degree, he should have made one he could see his face in!
How long will the finish last ? Will it rust ?
It depends, mine still have a nice finish on them, but get the steel wet and surface rust will appear almost instantly.
You can of course lacquer the steel, that will prevent it from rusting.
Thanks for the comment
less than 2 minutes in and he gives us the bird.
😂
Where do I order that exact polishing kit?
You can get it on ebay- fave.co/2kMJa8s
Thanks for the comment
are there many scrape marks after its finished
No, it depends how long you are prepared to spend doing the polishing etc. These are only fox wedges, so they will be used to knock in between metal components to separate them, so the finish is not important.
Thanks for the comment
im wanting to polish up a motorbike frame that has a few black pit marks just wasnt sure how bad the scrape marks would be
As long as you use every grade of abrasive in the kit, then the two polishing compounds there should be no scrape marks.
Is the frame bare metal?
its cold pressed steel
Shiny scratches
enjoy the video.
I'm glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for the comment ;-)
1:41 Are you flipping us the bird?🖕 😁
😂😂😂
why dont you use a belt sander to get right angles
Because the flap discs won't fit on the belt sander!
Thanks for the comment
Good job, however, was it necessary to flip me the bird at 1:37?
😂
reminds me of the youtube subscriber award
Thanks for the comment ;-)
super nice! :)
Thanks for the comment
I wonder if you are into steel patinas and burnishing finishes and other different kind of decorative finishes on metal, i imagine what could be possible by applying methods on those polished pieces :) Thank you!
carbon steel does patina, you can use things like bleach, or vinegar for a cheap patina, then finish with some beeswax
thanks! and what would be "expensive patina"?
@fikaso, i would call anything specifically to patina, an expensive patina! gun blue is pricey (i live in the uk, so its not like i have it around anyway)
What grit is the blue 1?
If I remember rightly, it is 80 grit
Thanks for the comment 👍
@@ultimatehandyman but isnt that too less for a mirror effect?
@@ultimatehandyman also, is green polish better then blue polish?
Did he use the same felt disk for blue following white? Pointless!
Yes he did. What are you supposed to do when you are doing the final polishing using two different polishing compounds. Perhaps you should get in touch with the manufacturers, if you have a problem with that.
Green chromium oxide steel. First polish
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Gud
👍
Is this bob mortimer!?
😂
Use a full face shield when using an angle grinder always glasses won't stop shit.
😂
it would be useful to know wich grids are involved...
I don't think it said on the discs, they are just coarse, medium, fine and then felt for the final polish-www.dronco.com/en/innovation/polishing-flap-disc/
Ultimate Handyman
ah, ok... I already have some flap disks up to 400 grid... also a kind of plastic foam... don't really know what that is but I also use well for some polish... just need the felt disk and as polishing paste use teeth brushpaste should also work :)
Toothpaste will also smell minty fresh, which reminds me of this LOL
ruclips.net/video/lHjsencf5zg/видео.html
Thanks for the comments ;-)
the plastic foam ones (poly abrasive) are mainly used for rust and paint removal, they dont move much metal, which is what you want, they are very good, i have some that go into a drill too, they are much better than a wire brush for that purpose
Ultimate Handyman
haha u upload this in April 1st.?? :P
I thought this was gonna end up being a skit where you just use every colour possible on it.
😂😂😂
Sorry mate but I wouldn't describe that as "mirror like finish" more of a satin finish if anything. Still a good video though, all the best from Yorkshire.
👍
You’re from Yorkshire aren’t you erm South Yorkshire am a right from Manchester myself
Darwen, Lancashire ;-)
Thanks for the comment
How can anyone consider that a very good finish? Very good finish, if we talk about steel, is like a mirror.
I've just checked your channel and can't see a video on how to polish steel?
3:00 it is very very far from mirror polish...
You didn't say anything about the size grits you were using. You just sanded on some steel with no explanation.
I polished it using a polishing kit, there were no grits marked on the discs, you just used them in the correct order.
Thanks for the comment
Why ya flipping everyone off at 1:38? :)
😂😂😂
I thought "Polish it" was parrot poo! lol
LOL
neither of these rouges are recommended for steel
It did not tell you that in the instructions 😉
Why are you flipping off everyone at 1:40? :)
😂😂
Trying to make your own RUclips button?
No Michael, I already have a silver RUclips button. These are fox wedges made from fork lift truck forks-
www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/fox-wedges-made-from-old-forklift-truck-forks-t87632.html
Thanks for the comment
I have never heard of fox wedges, consider me educated.
They are not very common unless you work in engineering/maintenance. I did not know they existed until about 6 years ago. They are very useful though if your line of work involves metalworking/splitting flanged pipework etc.
Thanks for the comments
Shhh! Im trying to finish my accounts :s