What Is a Polisher?
Polishers are tools that polish the surface of materials by rotating a buffing disc at the tip.
Polishers differ from other polishing tools, such as disc grinders, in that disc grinders can only perform relatively coarse polishing, while polishers can perform fine polishing, such as polishing a car to a shine.
It is possible to polish surfaces such as automobiles, furniture, and metals to a shine. It is more efficient than polishing by hand to achieve a beautiful finish. Polishers are used not only by professional craftsmen but also by DIY enthusiasts.
Uses of Polishers
Polishers are primarily used for fine polishing work, such as bringing out the luster of a material. Polishing tools such as disk grinders and disk sanders can only be used for rough polishing and are not suitable for finishing work.
A particularly common application is polishing the bodies of cars and motorcycles. Polishers can be used to restore a new shine to a scratched or faded car body. It is also used to polish wood surfaces such as furniture, floors, and walls.
Wood tends to change color over time, but polishing with polishers can help preserve its original beautiful color. Polishers are also useful for removing rust from metalware and polishing dishes and jewelry to a shine.
Principle of Polishers
Polishers polish objects by spinning a motor when connected to a power source, which transmits the rotational force to the polishing pad. The polishing pad rotates at a constant speed and polishes the surface of the object by its frictional force.
The polishing pad is also coated with a special liquid called an abrasive. The abrasive contains microscopic particles, which serve to remove dirt and scratches from the object’s surface.
Thus, polishers use the principle of combining the power of the motor and the abrasive to polish objects.
Types of Polishers
There are three types of polishers depending on the rotation method: single action, gear action, and double action.
1. Single Action
The single-action type has the highest polishing power, with the buff rotating in only one direction. It is powerful and can polish a wide area in a short time, but has disadvantages such as being easily scratched and difficult to handle.
2. Gear Action
In gear action, an irregular motion is added to the rotational motion, so the polishing power is inferior to that of a single action, but it is more than a double action. It has the advantage of not scratching materials easily.
3. Double Action
In double action, an eccentric motion is added to the rotational motion, so the polishing power is the lowest. On the other hand, it does not scratch the material easily, and it is used for final finishing and has the advantage of delicate polishing. It is recommended for beginners because it is easy to polish evenly.
How to Select Polishers
The following are points to consider when selecting polishers.
1. Power Source
Polishers come in two types: rechargeable and mains-powered. Polishers consume a great deal of electricity, so mains-powered products are generally the most commonly used. Rechargeable polishers can be used for small areas or short polishing times.
2. Number of Revolutions
Polishers are available at a variety of speeds. The higher the rotation speed, the higher the polishing power, but the more easily scratched the more frictional heat is generated.
Since a high-speed polisher requires more skill to handle, it is recommended that beginners choose a low-speed polisher or an adjustable-speed polisher.
3. Size of Polishing Pad
A large pad can polish a large area, but a small pad is necessary for fine details. It is important to select a pad of the appropriate size for the intended use.
4. Weight and Shape
When using a pad for a long time, a pad that is light in weight is less tiring. Also, selecting a pad with a shape that is easy to grip will make it easier to work with.