Sanding and polishing a barrel

E

eww1350

Guest
What is the preferred method (tools and fixtures) to finish sand and polish a match grade stainless steel barrel (30" untapered specifically)...photos and equipment would be a bonus...
It is a bear to get a 31" blank between centers on my 36" lathe..:(
 
I have done a dozen or so by hand and the following is my method.

I use an air orbital sander and use progressively finer grades of wet or dry sand paper. I start with 350 or 400 depending on the finish from barrel maker. I cut circles from the paper and spray glue them to the face of the orbital. When the paper is fresh, you will get some scratches, as the paper fills it will start to polish more and scratch less.

Wore down 600 will give you a pretty good finish and may be enough for you. All depends on your eyes. If not, go to 1000.

To polish, I use strips of blue jeans a little over an inch wide and coat them with polishing compound like Mothers, etc. I wrap them around the barrel and pull the ends back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.......................back and forth.

This is when scratches that haven't been sanded out will show up. Don't fret, go back to a wore out piece of 600 or 1000 and remove them. Then back and forth some more.

Final finish is a pure cotton rag with polishing compound and polish the barrel lengthwise, not around like previous.

It is labor intensive, but the results are excellent.

Jim
 
I'd do as much work as possible off the lathe to save it from damage from grit. I've used sandpaper cut and backed with a strip of duct tape to do a "shoeshine" on the barrel while its held in a vise. You can buy cloth backed abrasive on rolls but paper and duct tape will work fine. Shoeshine it all over and then change directions to lengthwise. You can also do the shoeshine method at 45 degrees to the axis of the barrel and then switch to the other 45 degrees. Switching directions by 90 degrees makes a much nicer job. Don't try to use the paper for too long. When it stops cutting well pick up a new strip. Keep doing this with finer grits until you get to the desired finish. Your hands will be tired but it'll look great.
 
In the video that Grizzly sponsered Gordy Gritters is using a hand held framework called a "barrel spinner"...I wonder if it would work to get the high luster "polished finish"..??
 
I have just completed a class taught by Gordy. He demonstrated the barrel spinner method on his buffer. I do not like to polish barrels on my lathe so I came back and ordered the stuff to use this method. You will need to purchase a expander drum or wheel for a buffer. I found one made by Scott Murray at a lapidary supply. It is 8 inches in diameter and 3 inches wide. You can purchase paper up to 1200 grit. I would recommend a baldor buffer rated at least 3/4 hp. The drums are rated at 1800 rpms.
 
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