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Tool Time Let's talk shop. Equipment, Tips & Tricks, Safety issues - Post it here.

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  #1  
Old 05-01-2004, 11:19 AM
Tbonz Tbonz is offline
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HF Buffer / grinder

I was looking for an inexpensive buffer and decided on buying the HF 8" Buffer/grinder with 3/4 HP, on sale for $69 . I did'nt need the grinder and wanted it to be dedicated to buffing only. I removed the grinding guard/ wheel on the left side and replaced it with a buffing wheel. The only thing I needed to do was add 3 washers to act as spacers. It works fine but the 3450 RPM seems a bit fast. Are the buffers with 1725 RPMs more desirable or is it a personal preference that dictates which buffer speed to use.
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Old 05-01-2004, 12:35 PM
AwP AwP is offline
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I think it's a matter of preferance and safety. Technically faster buffing wheels work better because the surface is moving faster, which buffs better. However, you can get the same effect by spending a little longer with a slower wheel and it's less likely to take your knife away and throw it back at you.
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Old 05-01-2004, 02:07 PM
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AUBE AUBE is offline
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if you want it to work slower, use a smaller diamter wheel. i prefer large wheels for fast buffing and small wheels for materials that tend to smear or burn.

-Jason Aube
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  #4  
Old 05-01-2004, 06:48 PM
fitzo fitzo is offline
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Buffing generates heat, lots of it, which will cause the dreaded "orange peel" finish on metals. The lower RPM helps reduce the heat buildup.
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  #5  
Old 05-02-2004, 07:07 AM
george tichbour george tichbour is offline
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How do I put this?

RPM itself makes no difference in selecting a buffer!

Buff speed is the determining factor.

Buff speed is calculated by taking wheel diameter(in ft) X 3 X RPM.

Ideal buff speed is 5000 or more feet per minute.

This means that a 12" buff on a 1750 RPM buffer has the same speed as a 6" buff on a 3500 RPM buffer.

Adjust your buff speed by changing buff diameters not RPM.

Don't use loose buffs they grab knives and tear them out of your hands turning them into sharp pointy flying objects.

Get the largest horsepower motor you can find because they have more torque and are less likely to slow down when you apply pressure.


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  #6  
Old 05-02-2004, 07:48 AM
Tbonz Tbonz is offline
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Buff speed

George,
Thanks for the explanation about actual Buff speed. It was very helpfull.
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  #7  
Old 05-02-2004, 09:30 AM
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Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
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Buffers....

One thing that nobody has mentioned is the safety aspect of the higher speed buffers. No place else is the term "speed kills" more true than with a buffer. Not only will it "kill" a lot of your work, but the high speed makes a buffer much more likely to get yourself hurt while using the thing. I've owned one 3450 RPM buffer, and after knocking a hole (literally) in the shop wall when it grabbed and threw a blade, I unplugged it, thanked my lucky stars that my fingers didn't go through the wall too, and purchased a 1725 RPM buffer.
It's true that you can apply smaller diameter wheesl to slow the Surface feet per minute down, but beware of using any loose type of wheel on a high speed machine.......if something can possibly be "grabbed" by the wheel, you can bet you last dog biscut it will be.


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