A Buffer Info Thread

[ChrisL]

I'm on the small side, so no worries there. I may be interested; I'll definitely keep it in mind.

While I'm posting, I saw this: Tabletop Dust Fitting - Rockler Woodworking Tools and thought maybe it could be rigged up to a ShopVac with a good filter. I would guess the Shopvac would need to have a fair bit of power to provide suction at such a large surface area and for such a large volume of air, but it seems like a possibility. Maybe set it bedind the buffer with another larger backing (plywood or a plastic cloth to catch extra spray) and then leave the ShopVac running after you're done to pull dust out of the air.

ShopVac or other vacuum, I should say. The name ShopVac just came to me and I started looking at them first. Most seem to come with a 3 year warantey with an option to get extra, so a lot of continuous running shouldn'd be a problem... I think. Are there better vacuums out there?

I was looking at something very similar recently, I can't remember which site though. It wasn't Rockler. I have a shop vac with a HEPA filter and was thinking of that same type of unit to connect to the shop vac hose. The only thing that sucks IMO about shop vacs is that they're so loud that they definitely make for precision shop work like buffing being less than relaxing. It's probably the cheapest way to go though.

Chris L

[ChrisMeyer]

For what it's worth, the consensus on the knifemaking forum seems to be that 3450 rpm buffers are too fast/dangerous. My Grizzly Buffer is a one horsepower unit that spins at 1725 rpms. I have had it for several years and it works great. However, it does appear that the price has gone up a bit since I bought mine.

[holli4pirating]

Today I was over at JoeD and CarrieM's place, and Joe and I talked buffers for a bit. I still have a lot of information to process and thinking to do, but I have to say, Joe showed me a blade that he'd not brought past 400 greaseless, and I was totally blown away by the level the finish was at. It has certainly opened my eyes to the extent to which technique comes into play. The more I learn, the more I learn I still need to learn. It's fun indeed!

Oh I've got the itch.

[sapito318]

Thought I'd drop into this conversation, as I am just starting out with a buffer setup also.

I purchased a Baldor 1/3 HP, 3600 RPM buffer with stand off of Craigslist for a good price.

Just to get started, I checked out Lowes Hardware and got 4 4" buffing wheels and compounds (Black, Grey & white) for under $35. Tried them out and they worked just fine. I also ordered a ton of stuff from Caswell, including greaseless and plenty of Sisal wheels.

I plan on getting another Baldor buffer, the 1/4 HP 1800 RPM model. My reason for choosing Baldor, is partly because they are American made, and also because they are very quiet. I can hear my wife knock on the garage door even when I am using the buffer. A definite + on relaxability Not to say that other brands would be noisy, but I like to be able hear myself think!

As for protection, I use caution mostly. I never stand in front of the buffer, ever. I wear a respirator and goggles, and am planning on getting a leather apron and some protective Kevlar gloves, as were mentioned earlier on my next stop at Woodcraft. Another thing I was going to look into was to get a little footrest pad for me to stand on. Something to cushion my feet while standing at the buffer.

[commiecat]

Has anybody tried the Craftsman line of buffers? I only did a quick search on the forum and saw one post from '08 about them.

I'm also a little interested in getting one. I don't have a shop and I'm still pretty new to restoration so I want something inexpensive (comparatively) but effective. I don't want a $50 disposable but I also can't justify a $300 - $600 one, either. Craftsman has a 6" for $99 and an 8" for $135. Bonus that I can pick it up at Sears.

Both are single-speed 3450RPM -- the 8" is 1.5HP while the 6" is 0.5HP. Would a 1/2HP, 3450RPM buffer w/ 6" wheels suffice for razor work?

[gssixgun]

First off you DO NOT need a ton of power, in fact personally I will not touch anything over 1/2 HP...

Here is my reasoning behind it,
We don't push hard, really we use a very light touch.
We don't work the motor all that hard
If that thing grabs me, I would at least like to stand a chance of not breaking every bone in my hand...
I like the lower speeds too, BUT I use mostly 4 inch wheels so it is not as big a deal...
We use a very light touch so speed is not as big a deal for heat build up we are very very careful of heat build up...

Now, I hate changing wheels, I really do, so I bought 5 of these which gave me 10 wheels they were on sale at $39.99 (just ask they will sell them at that price) so I have $200 into them I have another 1750 1/2 hp wheel for a final polisher (old washing maching motor with an extra long arbor) and I don't change wheels hardly at all...
I also never really work the motors since each one is barely used and never heats up...

BTW 10 wheels = 80-120-180-320-400-600 in Greasless compounds plus

Emory - SS - CrOx - Chrome... in polishing compounds

Plus the 1750 wheel with a clean cloth wheel for the final metal polish that I put on the balde and buff off...

I no longer even use Sisal wheels, I use Sewn up to the CrOx then loose buffs

So there are different ways to get to the same ending...

[commiecat]

First off you DO NOT need a ton of power, in fact personally I will not touch anything over 1/2 HP...

Here is my reasoning behind it,
We don't push hard, really we use a very light touch.
We don't work the motor all that hard
If that thing grabs me, I would at least like to stand a chance of not breaking every bone in my hand...
I like the lower speeds too, BUT I use mostly 4 inch wheels so it is not as big a deal...
We use a very light touch so speed is not as big a deal for heat build up we are very very careful of heat build up...

Now, I hate changing wheels, I really do, so I bought 5 of these which gave me 10 wheels they were on sale at $39.99 (just ask they will sell them at that price) so I have $200 into them I have another 1750 1/2 hp wheel for a final polisher (old washing maching motor with an extra long arbor) and I don't change wheels hardly at all...
I also never really work the motors since each one is barely used and never heats up...

BTW 10 wheels = 80-120-180-320-400-600 in Greasless compounds plus

Emory - SS - CrOx - Chrome... in polishing compounds

Plus the 1750 wheel with a clean cloth wheel for the final metal polish that I put on the balde and buff off...

I no longer even use Sisal wheels, I use Sewn up to the CrOx then loose buffs

So there are different ways to get to the same ending...

What is the RPM on the Harbor Freight buffer? Changing wheels isn't an issue for me right now as it's for myself -- I'm still a long ways off from having customers to clean razors for.

How long have you had your HF buffers? I looked at Craftsman because it's a recognizable name -- I'd get the Central Machinery one from HF on a single word of praise from somebody on SRP. At that price I could go through 2 or 3 at the price of Craftsman and I also have a HF nearby.

[sapito318]

What is the RPM on the Harbor Freight buffer? Changing wheels isn't an issue for me right now as it's for myself -- I'm still a long ways off from having customers to clean razors for.

How long have you had your HF buffers? I looked at Craftsman because it's a recognizable name -- I'd get the Central Machinery one from HF on a single word of praise from somebody on SRP. At that price I could go through 2 or 3 at the price of Craftsman and I also have a HF nearby.

The HF 6" buffers are 3450 RPM, and I believe they are 1/2 HP.

Cant comment really on their performance as I have not used one, but for light duty work they will get the job done.

[gssixgun]

What is the RPM on the Harbor Freight buffer? Changing wheels isn't an issue for me right now as it's for myself -- I'm still a long ways off from having customers to clean razors for.

How long have you had your HF buffers? I looked at Craftsman because it's a recognizable name -- I'd get the Central Machinery one from HF on a single word of praise from somebody on SRP. At that price I could go through 2 or 3 at the price of Craftsman and I also have a HF nearby.

Here is what I figured when I bought them, (they are 3450 rpm BTW) I bought 2 at first and figured heck if they break so what... But then I liked them, so I bought 3 more...
The thing is if you buy just one I don't know how long it will last, but I do know that almost all of the "Name" brand ones are built in China too, or have motors that are, so I am not seeing a huge difference ...
It was the end of this past summer when I bought the first two then the next three were before Holloween... I have done about 100 razors on them without a problem...
I was looking at spending $300 plus on one buffer and decided heck I can buy 8 of these before I get to that... My other thought was if one breaks I am not down either, I just move to the next one and continue until I can go buy another one...With a higher priced unit I would be sending it in for repairs instead...

I hate not buying American, but like said there are very few that are any more...

Wow I just realized I did a ton of talking in circles there hehehe
I am using mine 1/5 of the normal time/wear so I guess I have no clue how well one would last...

[commiecat]

Here is what I figured when I bought them, (they are 3450 rpm BTW) I bought 2 at first and figured heck if they break so what... But then I liked them, so I bought 3 more...
The thing is if you buy just one I don't know how long it will last, but I do know that almost all of the "Name" brand ones are built in China too, or have motors that are, so I am not seeing a huge difference ...
It was the end of this past summer when I bought the first two then the next three were before Holloween... I have done about 100 razors on them without a problem...
I was looking at spending $300 plus on one buffer and decided heck I can buy 8 of these before I get to that... My other thought was if one breaks I am not down either, I just move to the next one and continue until I can go buy another one...With a higher priced unit I would be sending it in for repairs instead...

I hate not buying American, but like said there are very few that are any more...

Wow I just realized I did a ton of talking in circles there hehehe
I am using mine 1/5 of the normal time/wear so I guess I have no clue how well one would last...

Ha, you answered my question, though. If you have them and they work, that's good enough for me. I have a HF down the road from me so it's not a big deal.

Just realized that they have product PDFs on their site. Here's the link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...4999/94393.pdf

Specs say 3600RPM and more importantly, it has a 1-year warranty from Harbor Freight which seals the deal. Thanks for the info and the links -- I might be doing some shopping this weekend.