Thread: Is 1/4 HP enough for a buffing motor?

I have decided to get some greaseless and a buffing motor, I have seen the 3/4, 1/2 and 1/3 HP motors that are used in most buffers.

What I can get at the moment is a cheap enough one that is 1/4 hp.
Would that be too weak to use with greaselss on razors......

Its 3000 rpm but only 1/4 hp. This could be a bad combination or maybe it would be just enough to do a nice bit of sanding on each razor.

Any thoughts........

I guess in my limited knowledge of motors, I would see how it handles under a load. Meaning how it performes while sanding or buffing. If it does not bog down then I think you would be ok. 3000 rpm's is fast for 1/4 hp.

Do not spend your money on a 1/4 HP buffer. Eventually you will want to use it for polishing and buffing too instead of only greaseless. 1/2HP is the min you should go for. If you want to use 2" wheels maybe your 1/4 HP will do the trick but as soon as you start using a 6 or 8 inch wheel you will be so disappointed.
Most cheaper brands only advertise the peak HP. Always put your money in highly regarded motors and brands. Off course this is just my 02 cents.

I think it depends on the amount of work you are planning on doing and how fast you want to do it. I think for the hobbyist a ¼ motor would be fine. For me, I do not work on a lot of razors and feel much more at ease with a small motor and small wheels, they take a lot longer to work than a big wheels and big motors but are a good compromise for me. Me, I am slow and steady.

Charlie

Oh Yeah it starts out small. Your just trying to learn to shave with a straight razor or two. Then ,of course you need to sharpen them so then you have to learn to hone and you need to collect the right stones(a purely subjective matter). Once you start to understand razors and what do, you look around and realize a great secret. That just like after the model T became popular, you could get a really good deal on a first class buggy whip,now that the rest of the world like mark 3 and 4 and 5's, you can buy some of the greatest straight razors ever made for a song. Well they are a little old now so you'll need a few tools to touch them up. Which brings us to what Max said,buy the good tools.