Official Luthiers Forum!

Compounding pad used with the 105:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OBVXC0?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details


Final polish pad used with the Perfect-It:

https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/3m-perfect-it-ultrafine-foam-polishing-4-inch-pad-30043-p-48295.aspx

Super helpful! Thanks so much.

I've used my drill press to buff small objects, do light drum sanding, and light rust removal with a wire wheel. However, I stayed lucky when I did these things. I can't really recommend it for a guitar-sized object. It'll be clumsy, with lots of drill press parts to bang into. In addition, I doubt that the bearings are designed to deal with sideways thrust, and it would be a shame to wear them out. This is what I was referring to when I said I "stayed lucky." Your drill press chuck is not likely to handle a shaft that is thick enough to prevent deflection, and your chuck could potentially come loose, too. In his instruction video / dvd, Robert Bennedetto demonstrates using a foam pad in a drill press to do the FINAL polish on a guitar. This is mostly down pressure, which is what the drill arbor is designed for. He's using light pressure, too. You can get a very nice finish with hand work and patience. I'd like to have a buffer, too, but I'm a hobby builder and have never felt justified in giving the space to a machine buffer.

This approach makes perfect sense to me. I used Meguiar's products to polish three instruments. Very satisfactory results.

Barry,

I have studied your sanding schedule and it looks similar to mine. Except for the Abralon pads. In the past you commented on my use of 400 paper. So I am changing that. What I do not fully understand is when you use the 105 cutting compound. Is that step 1? Then the paper schedule? Then is the final step the swirl remover after 4000 Abralon?

Sandpaper first (including Abralon which is just super fine sandpaper). Then cutting compound (Meguiars 105). Then swirl remover or some type of fine polishing compound.

OK, so I don't understand the concept of cutting compound. You went all the way to 4000. I assume the 105 cutting compound is less aggressive than 4000? Or maybe, I do not understand purpose of cutting compound. Thank you.

Edit: I understand now. Went and looked up the compounds.