[pianotech] Polyester Finishing

William Monroe bill at a440piano.net
Fri Mar 20 05:23:34 PDT 2009


Yes Al, thanks, I have visited your site.  Do the compounds come with free
wheels, and an add on room for my shop?  As I said, not interested in that
level of dust without dedicated space.  There are other lubricants aside
from mineral spirits that can be used while machining, no doubt.  I'll just
have to investigate those.  I appreciate the well-meaning guidance, and it's
not that I doubt the efficacy of the compounds & wheels, it's simply a
matter of retooling combined with no dedicated space for this work.  Does
that compute?

William R. Monroe
www.a440piano.net

On Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 7:13 AM, Al Guecia/AlliedPianoCraft <
AlliedPianoCraft at hotmail.com> wrote:

>  Just use bar compounds and forget the new buffer and possible fire
> problems. Besides, they work better. Here's a link,
> http://www.alliedintlinc.com/compoundspolish.html
>
> Al
>
>
>
>  *From:* William Monroe <bill at a440piano.net>
> *Sent:* Thursday, March 19, 2009 8:21 PM
> *To:* pianotech at ptg.org
> *Subject:* Re: [pianotech] Polyester Finishing
>
> Joe,
>
> Thanks for the warning.  Indeed, I've been using an electric buffer
> (milwaukee - good quality so it can't create a fire, right?  <G>)  I'd hate
> to look like Wile E.  I'm such a looker as it is.  <G><G>
>
> Marc suggests there isn't fire danger, anything to add to that?  I'm all
> for not taking chances, but also prefer to operate with clear knowledge
> rather than suspicion (if I have it - which at this point I don't).
>
> I do have a large enough compressor, but would rather not spring for a new
> buffer - not to mention the ever popular, "WHAT DID YOU SAY, MY COMPRESSOR
> IS RUNNING" syndrome.
>
> Awaiting more information.
>
> William R. Monroe
>
>   MINERAL SPIRITS ARE NOT FLAMMABLE. They are combustible - flash point is
>> greater than 100 °
>>
>>  Marc
>>
>> **
>>
>>
>>
>> HI William,
>>
>>
>>
>> I hope you are using an air powered buffer if you are using mineral
>> spirits as a lubricant;  the fumes created by mineral spirits are highly
>> flammable, and an explosion or fire can be set off by the sparks in an
>> electric motor.  While you are buffing, the buffer sits right in the zone
>> with the highest concentration of fumes, emitting tiny sparks dozens or
>> hundreds of times a second.  That's one of the main reasons I went ahead and
>> sprung for a 60 gallon compressor, even though my shop is quite small, also.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm not trying to criticize, just point out the standard advice given in
>> the woodworking field.  You are obviously quite committed to quality piano
>> work; we can't afford to see you end up looking like Wile E. Coyote after
>> receiving one of the Road Runner's TNT "returns" (probably yet again from
>> the Acme Corporation).  I know that you can "get away" with using mineral
>> spirits as a lubricant with electric tools for some undetermined period of
>> time, but why take the chance?
>>
>>
>>
>> Joe DeFazio
>>
>> Pittsburgh
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  In answer to my own question, if anyone is using these pastes, MINERAL
>> SPIRITS is the wetting agent of choice.  Add a little to the tub if it
>> begins to dry out.  It also works well for keeping the work surface moist
>> while buffing.  I kept a squeeze bottle of spirits right there, squirting a
>> little on occasionally.  the slop is messy, but more easily contained for me
>> than dust.  For the small shop (read: action balancing and finish repairs in
>> the same room) it works better for me than dealing with all that dust.  I
>> curse enough when I buff keytops/capstans/etc. with my buffing wheels.
>>
>> William R. Monroe
>>
>>
>
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