Thread: Good Tool or Bad Tool Question

Hi All!

While I’m getting some good results with the system I use which is basically all by hand with a minimal help from any power tool I’ve been wondering if anyone had any experience with this power tool.

Grizzly.com

I know that Glen uses the Harbor Freight ones and has I think 6-8 of them in line so he doesn’t have to change buffing pads as he changes grits.

I was wondering about this one since it turns at about 1/2 the speed of the Harbor Freight buffer and it has a 1 HP motor in 110v instead of 1/2 HP that the HF possesses.


I’m not in any position at this time to take the plunge but I am trying to practice the 6 P’s.

Any advice, ideas or experience would be welcomed!

Althouge a fan of american made power tools,Grizzly sells some great stuff.
Keep an eye on craigslist for a Baldor buffer,the griz will serve you well tho.

It is the same motor that drives their 72" grinder/buffer

Grizzly.com

I have been using mine for quite some time and have had zero issues..


You DO NOT need that kind of power to buff razors, the touch is so light and delicate that just about any hp rating will work.

Also remember that speed is measured as SFM/SFPM or Surface Feet per Minute so wheel size can play a huge part in actual speed..

The formula is on here quite a few times and always available at Caswells

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm

Formula for calculating surface speed of wheel in SFPM.
SFPM = 1/4 x diameter of Wheel x RPM (revs of spindle per min.)

Thanks Glen,

I’m fully aware that for razors, I don’t want, need, crave or desire the 1HP, I’m thinking more of versatility and longevity as I’d like to use it for other polishing purposes such as on automotive stainless steel trim or other larger, heavier items down the road.

My main thought is the lower speed would add versatility! While it’s apples vs oranges, I was once told by a motorcycle mechanic that if you replaced the drive sprocket with one that had one less tooth (15 reduced to 14) would give the same general reduction at the rear wheel as if the rear wheel sprocket had been Increased by 10 teeth (30 increased to 40).

One of the advantages that I’ve found with the simple set up I currently use is that I’m able to keep the speeds very slow and this allows more control.

Anyway I’m just testing the waters as you well know I have patience!!

The Grizzly would be a great tool, however there are 1750 buffers available for a lot less. Delta makes a 2 speed (I have one) that sells for around $80. What a dedicated buffer like the Griz has is a lot more clearance, with those long shafts, which is really handy for some applications.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Thanks Glen,

I’m fully aware that for razors, I don’t want, need, crave or desire the 1HP, I’m thinking more of versatility and longevity as I’d like to use it for other polishing purposes such as on automotive stainless steel trim or other larger, heavier items down the road.

My main thought is the lower speed would add versatility! While it’s apples vs oranges, I was once told by a motorcycle mechanic that if you replaced the drive sprocket with one that had one less tooth (15 reduced to 14) would give the same general reduction at the rear wheel as if the rear wheel sprocket had been Increased by 10 teeth (30 increased to 40).

One of the advantages that I’ve found with the simple set up I currently use is that I’m able to keep the speeds very slow and this allows more control.

Anyway I’m just testing the waters as you well know I have patience!!

You have the right idea,versatility,buy the biggest,baddest machine tools you have room for and can afford and never look back.
Buy the best,will last your entire life.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

You have the right idea,versatility,buy the biggest,baddest machine tools you have room for and can afford and never look back.
Buy the best,will last your entire life.

Thanks Pixel!

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard similar advice!

I know that I’m hijacking my own thread here, but here goes:

When I was a young man and wanted to start buying hand tools my father (who was a welder, mechanic and machinist) told that if I bought good tools that they would last me more than a lifetime.

Dad liked Proto Tools. When he passed he left me all of his hand tools. While the socket wrenches are all ‘wobbly’ they still function. The 1/2 “drive and 3/8” drive have this engraved on the sockets:

Tod Davis
Green Giant
Pomeroy

The Green Giant plant in Pomeroy was closed and we were transferred 35 miles to Dayton WA. That was in 1961!! Quick math will tell you that this happened 52 years ago and his tools are still looking and working just fine! Especially the sockets and the combination wrenches along with the other specialty wrenches.

Truer words about investing in one’s own future were never better spoken by any other man.

For a simple Country Boy with only a High School education and a fantastic aptitude for using his mind and hands I find his wisdom more sound and far reaching than the many that have spent their time studying such things and giving recommendations from just what they learned from books instead of life itself!

Thats the key people need to understand about machine tools,my southbend lathe was made in 1932,my grandfather bought it new.Ihave rebuilt that lathe twice in 20 yrs,You cannot buy any offshore lathe that can compare.
My wood lathe, rockwell 45-450,I bought new in 1971,I can rebuild it from the ground up for 60 bux,but have never had to do so and gets used every day,delta rockwell american made 14 in. bandsaws can be had for 80 bux at auction,you can rebuild them for pennys.
Buy it one time,your kids and grandkids will thank you.

I would not buy that Grizzly unit, but it is a good unit but may be overkill!.
One reason to get it would be the 4" pneumatic sanding drum for that 1" shaft.
The unit below it in the catalog has ¾" shafts and you could probably find a used motor and a pulley for $25 and have the same usability./The-Buffing-System-1725-RPM/G1061Z
Long shafts are a nice thing for razor work and many other things.
I have used a HF 6" for the last fifteen years and my gunsmith buddy bought one at the same time. He runs larger buff than I do and those little demons will run with tallow buffing dust melting on the motor housing.
Whatever you do, enjoy the hunt!
~Richard

Richard, I’d initially thought about the unit you pointed out and I have a 110V 3/4HP Baldor Motor that I could use. However given my situation with housing and restricted for God knows how long to a Duplex. I’m also thinking about saving space. The garage is already cramped but if I ‘weed’ through things I’ll have enough space for what I was considering.