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I have a bench grinder but I want a dedicated buffer for cleaning and polishing blades. Harbor Freight has one for $39.95 but I'm suspicious of the quality. Anyone out there have a Harbor Freight Buffer and how do you like it? Any other suggestion for a first buffer? Six or Eight inch pads would probably big enough for me. Thanks
That buffer only has one speed-3400- and that is too fast IMO for buffing straights. I looked at it but ended up spending more on a variable speed unit from Sears.
Ernie 1980
Thank you for the info. I thought most small electric motors were something like 1750 rpm. Man 3400 is smoking fast.
I have one and it works great. They also sell a plug in unit that varies the speed. Some argue its bad for the motor but I have not seen this and at that price oh well. I use 6 inch wheels. I am going to buy 2 more its a pain to change the wheels that often. I think sixgun has 10 of these maybe he will chime in. You can't go wrong for the price. IMO.:chapeau
Hey Freddie,
A few years ago buffers were being discussed and a couple of members chimed in that the Harbor Freight were total JUNK! Well GSSIXGUN chimed say Yes they ARE! I ought to know, I own six of 'em.
You can see them here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmwvf8xLKmk
90% of the tools I use are from Harbor Freight...
If you are using it six hours a day 6 days a week then you may want something else. For the casual user they are a good value. IMO.
Yup, they work just fine, but use 4 in wheels, many of us have used them for years without a problem.
There are some good recent buffing threads in the workshop forum. Castwells Polishing is a good source for wheels and buffing compounds.
Thanks for your help! I'm still looking around for a buffer. Thanks again, Freddie
I bought one. Its great. The pads sold at HF leave something to be desired.
As far as RPMs It will change depending on the size of the pad you use.
+1 to Cudrunner. If Glenn has 6 of them that says volumes.
Restore guys cant be coming down off the mountain and buying new buffers and stay in business.
Some factors to consider.
RPMs don't matter. Feet per second does. With a faster buffer you use smaller wheels. A trade off though is that you will have to re-load your wheels more frequently, but that's not that big of a deal.
This was sent to me by 'Pee Wee Herman' while I was building my buffer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
And it's!
GREAT INFORMATION!
Formula to figure final speeds on belt driven buffers/grinders.
Shaft and Pulley Speed Calculator Links and Formulas
Pulley and RPM Calculator | Engineering Information - Culver Armature and Motor
Pulley, Diameter and Belt Size Calculator
Refrigerative Supply Resources Overview
Determining Pulley Speeds
Pulley Sizing
Take this little formula to figure your speed:
rpm of motor divided by the diameter of the pulley.
Use this as an example.
1750 rpm divided by 6" pulley=291
291rpm divided by 3" pulley = 97 rpm
A 10 inch wheel will run 97 rpm. So will a 6 inch wheel.
The surface speed is a different matter though. You might want to drop down to a smaller wheel:
A 10" wheel at 97 rpm is running 3,048 inches per minute.
A 6" wheel at 97 rpm is running 1,828 inches per minute
Formula to figure surface speeds of wheels:
10" x 3.1416 x 97 = surface inches per minute.
6" x 3.1416 x 97 = surface inches per minute.
Hope this helps!!
HERE's more for you to read from Caswell. Actually, this is the stuff you should study.
Please make particular note of the SAFE and UNSAFE areas of the wheel. I have posted this before and some have disagreed with those safe zones. I don't care. Study it for yourself and understand it for yourself.
And here is an additional safety note. I think there as a thread several years ago entitled "YOUR BUFFER CAN KILL YOU." I capitalized it since your buffer can kill you, and not for the reason of a flying blade (though that can hurt too) but because of all of the fibers and crap from the wheels and compound can end up in your lungs. If you use a buffer you need to use a respirator. YOU NEED TO USE A RESPIRATOR.
It looks like I have studying and research to do, thanks again to all for taking the time to help me. Freddie
Attachment 234518
So here's what I ended up with.... a B&D 1/3 HP motor 3500 rpm with stand, wheels and spindles. A friend of my has a pawn shop and I got it for $75.00. It was too good a deal to pass up.
Should get you down the road Freddie. :tuQuote:
Originally Posted by MisterClean
However if you look at the formulas that I sent you'll have a lot less heat if you drop down to 4" buffer pads. Plus you can get into the recesses much better. There are many, many places that sell the 4" spiral sewn pads and they aren't expensive.
Cudarunner,
Yep, I read and studied the info, very helpful. Those pads came with the deal so I'll get some 4" wheels soon. The compound sticks that came with the deal are all dried up. I bought Tripoli Brown for cleaning and a White for polishing. Thanks again for all your help.
Put 4" buffing wheels on it. Problem solved.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ernie1980
A Harbor Freight buffer is half that price.Quote:
Originally Posted by MisterClean
