Toshi's first build: PBA-4

[wokkaboy]

looks nice and shiny Toshi good work. Glad you bought a buffer/polishing machine as your arms must be falling off being SOTY haha

[wazkelly]

Looks like it is now time to do hand sanding and polishing as the sanding machine will most likely introduce scratches from here.

[Nekogen]

Thanks, Wok. hahaha yeah, now my arm are being back to normal. Polishing machine is huge advance technology and really powerful tool.

Waz, thnak you for direction. noted. i didnt realize machine can cause another scratches. will try hand sanding and polishing, especially to avoid burn through too.

[wokkaboy]

Toshi if you are careful the polishing machine should work ok. Does it have different speeds ? I would work on a low speed and you really need a polishing pad and a separate buffing pad.

[Nekogen]

Thanks, Wok. this Black&Decker has only one speed and very powerful. However, i have electric driver/drill with polishing pad, buffing pad as well. Maybe I will be able to use polishing machine, drill/driver and hand polishing depending on case and part.

[wokkaboy]

no worries Toshi, well it looks well polished enough to finish the rest by hand, sure you can sand in your sleep so it's a similar action hahah

[Simon Barden]

Looking good, Toshi.

You need to be careful with any sanding or polishing machine. A fast speed makes for quick sanding (or polishing), but it also produces a lot of heat, which can soften the surface. This makes it easier for any hard bits of finish or dirt stuck in the grit (when sanding) to leave scratch marks. It also lets the sandpaper take more finish off than expected. Also, when the finish re-hardens as it cools, it might not end up as flat as it was. So as you get closer to the final polishing stages, it's important to keep the sander/polisher moving all the time to reduce heat build-up and use slower speeds (if possible).

[Nekogen]

Wok, hahaha, yea, now the time to strengthen my arm again

Simon, thanks for advice. noted. since the machine has no speed option, I will keep moving it around to avoid heat build-up and wrap it up carefully. hope completion will be soon.

Photo was as of last night after 2.5 hour-polishing, by machine, drilldrive and hand on front body.

[wokkaboy]

very nice Toshi, looks pretty well ready to assemble if the rest of the body and neck look like that !

[Nekogen]

Wok, Thanks. I am also thinking moving to back side, then finalize neck and assembly!