Thread: Buffer RPM questions

Originally Posted by heirkb

Now that I've reread Max's post, it does seem to me that I could get away with a 3450 RPM buffer if I use smaller wheels like 4 inch and 6 inch ones.
I did the rough calculations for the SMF and it comes out to be, respectively, 3450 smf/min and 5175 smf/min.

On the other hand, if most of you are using lower RPM buffers with smaller wheels, the SMF you're working at is much lower than 3450 even. It'd be in the 1800 to low two thousands.

One other question I have is if lower RPMs are better for the final polish as opposed to the earlier stages. Glen already said that he finds that they are, and I inferred it from Lynn's post that he uses lower RPMs for his final polish, but I just wanted to make sure that I'm not just inferring randomly.

I also fine that the lower SFM gives a better polish. I'm sure that there are other techniques that can give the same results at a higher surface speed. Be sure to check the Caswell link I posted to this thread earlier for the best 'Cut' and 'polish' methods.