Replies: buffing cone abuse

Replies: buffing cone abuse

ORIGINAL POST:

1)Which brands of buffing cones have you found to hold up the best for
buffing each of the following: polypropylene, acrylic laminations,
epoxy/carbon laminations. Where do you get them and what do they cost?

2)Granted, proper technique is vital to prolonging their useful life, but
there always seems to be some abuse (development of grooves) by certain
people. Other than giving everyone free rein and buying as many replacement
cones as people go through, how do you get cone users to take responsibility
for not ruining them? Do you have any policies in force at your facility to
address this?

Thanks,
Randy McFarland, CPO
Sunny Hills Orthopedic Services,
Fullerton, CA

REPLIES:



At a place I once worked everyone had their own personal buffing cones.
Everyone kept their cone the way they liked it, and it soon became apparent
who the groovers: were.

I thought that it was only my animals who did that. I get a couple of large
Trinco cones for $50.00 each and within a week, they are badly grooved making
them worthless for fine edge work on PPE. Of course, none of my techs (6)
are responsible.
I raise hell, but it does not seem to matter.


We use loose cotton polishing mops at lower speeds (c. 1500 RPM) for
finishing the edges of polypropylene and polyethylene, for clear acrylic
check sockets we use either felt cones or a 'Tycro' polishing arbour
which we get from Fillauer inc. These latter two are also used for
acrylic laminations, but the reinforcement often wears out the felt
cones very quickly.
For most laminated sockets I finish with a fine grade of sanding drum,
then polish by hand with 400 grit wet & dry sandpaper and water.
As for prolonging the life of cones, we have to rely on the proper
training of our students, and the continued supervision by teaching
staff. Does this work ? In a word no, we end up with grooved cones as
well.


Can't help you with the first part (not too familiar with the brands in the
US) but with the second:
Everyone should have his own color-coded tool. Shall lock them up and be
responsible. We made our students put a lump sum down and we charged for lost
or damaged tools. Don't know,however if you want to do this with adult
employees.
But at least with the coding they can't tell you they didn't do it. So: egg
in their face as soon as the grooves appear. Good idea or bad one? Will cost
the first investment, but will be cheaper over time.
Don't give these guys my addrees though.

 We have the same problem with cones. I think it is best to move the mat'l
from tip to tail to decrease the number of grooves. You still have problems
with the layers delaminating however on ocassion on the pink tycro cones. We
do use a green scotchbrite like cone to rough polish which actually work
quite well to finish polish, and they last a hell of a long time. If ypou
are interested I will get some info on them. They are green and like the
course trautman sleeves they slip over the rubber arbors.

As for buffing con abusers... I too have suffered the cone abusers aftermath
and finally came to the realization that I was helpless. But in this sad
moment I was able to grasp a reality that had previously eluded me... LET
THERE BE TWO CONES!, and that was good. The abusers had their cone to groove
and distort in all sorts of unprofessional and inhumane ways, while we, the
more refined types have a pristine, grooveless cone w/ the clear marking of
do not tread on me or else! clearly emblazoned on its mighty shaft. This
seemed to work well once the entire team was inform of the two cone policy
(and the hidden cameras)

Randy try this,buy one of each cone and tell them they are responsible.
 If they groove it they still need to use it.If that doesn't work try
telling them that you will take control of the handing out of these and that
you will decide who and when they get replaced.Some of this will work, I hope,
but we still have a hard time too.Try the new cones from Friddel(I think
that's were that come from)it's the cloth type stuff and tell them that we
are going to use these and see if we can cut down on waste,good luck and let
me know if works.

You may want to try a new cone I saw from National Orthotics in Oralndo Fl.
It seem to be more durable. Regarding the montoring and control of cone. I
spend time with new employees teaching them the proper use. I then issue them
a cone, date it, and them compare it with other staffs cones. If it becomes a
major problem I would add equipment use and maintance to his or her
proformance plan.I presently have a great employee but he can destroy cone in
a very short time. It is his only fault . Do I overlook it ? Yes.

We found abuse went way down when everyone was responsible for their own
cones. They were doled out by the facility and even the worst offender
never seemed to use more than 2 or 3 tryco cones per year. The scotch brite
cones work well for polypro and are much less expensive than tryco cones.


   1. Obtain a cone and arbor (is that the word for the thing that holds
the cone?) and keep it discreetly at your bench. Take it out and use it
when you need to. For minor jobs the grooved cone will probably do. For
the longer jobs (a complete AFO, etc.) the 28 seconds it takes to get
your own cone will be worth it. As someone who has purchased several
tools and other equipment at my own expense, I can say that it gives you
some leeway in determining how and when they are used.
  2. Give the offending party an arbor and tell them to use and replace
the cones when they feel it is appropriate. Chances are, if they are
already refusing to modify behavior that frustrates others, they will not
respond with consideration when given this option. At least you will
have tried.
   3. Depending on your position at the lab where you work, you may need to
pursue official administrative action toward the offenders.