Bench buffer/polisher

[JGKC9AYC]

While going thru my fathers things in garage, I found a like-new electric motor w/a pulley. I also found the thing he hooked up via a V belt that had a grinding wheel & a wire brush.
I purchased a couple of 6" buffing/polishing wheels to use in place of the wheels on there now.
My question is the motor itself. The specs on the manufacturers label shows it as being 1/3 hp & 1725 rpm. Is that adequate for a buffer/polisher?
Thanks.

 

[silver]

That should be plenty. Just be very careful when you use it, one slip with a sharp razor can send it flying across the room.

 

[johnmrson]

That will be fine. That's about the specs of my buffer but I run 4 inch wheels which lowers the end speed a little Make sure you wear safety glasses and keep a tight grip on the razor. I've had one or two shoot out since I've been restoring.

 

[JGKC9AYC]

That will be fine. That's about the specs of my buffer but I run 4 inch wheels which lowers the end speed a little Make sure you wear safety glasses and keep a tight grip on the razor. I've had one or two shoot out since I've been restoring.

If its slowing down with 4" wheels, what will happen with 6" wheels. Even slower?

 

[global_dev]

If its slowing down with 4" wheels, what will happen with 6" wheels. Even slower?

The opposite, faster. The speed at the outer points will travel farther per revolution in the same amount of time..

 

[cb91710]

1725 RPM

4" wheel = 1725 * 12.566" = 21,677 fpm surface speed
6" wheel = 1725 * 18.85" = 32,516 fpm surface speed

 

[BigDaddy_05401]

1725 RPM

4" wheel = 1725 * 12.566" = 21,677 fpm surface speed
6" wheel = 1725 * 18.85" = 32,516 fpm surface speed

Gotta love the math!

 

[cb91710]

Gotta love the math!

I fear I made an error... That's not fpm... it's inches per minute.
I suspected the error when I continued the math and ended up with something like 400mph for the 6" wheel

So corrected....
4" wheel = 1725 * 12.566" = 21,677 ipm surface speed = 1806 fpm = 20.5 mph
6" wheel = 1725 * 18.85" = 32,516 ipm surface speed = 2710 fpm = 30.8 mph

That's better

 

[JGKC9AYC]

Sometimes I feel so unworthy!

 

[cb91710]

Of course, those speeds are assuming the drive pulley and driven pulley are the same size.
If the pulley on the motor is smaller, then speed will be reduced.

 

[JGKC9AYC]

Of course, those speeds are assuming the drive pulley and driven pulley are the same size.
If the pulley on the motor is smaller, then speed will be reduced.

Well, I do know that the drive pulley on the motor is definitely larger...perhaps by 25%.

 

[cb91710]

Then definitely go with the 4" wheels. The speeds will be much higher with an overdrive pulley system.

 

[Firewalker]

While going thru my fathers things in garage, I found a like-new electric motor w/a pulley. I also found the thing he hooked up via a V belt that had a grinding wheel & a wire brush.
I purchased a couple of 6" buffing/polishing wheels to use in place of the wheels on there now.
My question is the motor itself. The specs on the manufacturers label shows it as being 1/3 hp & 1725 rpm. Is that adequate for a buffer/polisher?
Thanks.

I have about the same setup but direct drive with two 8" buffer wheels, one sewn and one loose wheel. Yes, the tip speed is very fast but keeping a pair of leather padded jaw locking vice grips on the tang, fingers behind the blade, cool water close by and attention to the cut, I haven't ever thrown a tool or razor. It can happen and likely will at some point but not yet.

I also have tapered spindles (they sell bolt-on and right and left hand models along with screw on ones) so I can back off the wheel and turn on a new one for the right material and grit. Cant imagine working on razors without it.

 

[ANeat]

I also have tapered spindles (they sell bolt-on and right and left hand models along with screw on ones) so I can back off the wheel and turn on a new one for the right material and grit. Cant imagine working on razors without it.

Dave Ive thought about those, They look nice, Do the wheels run true? Like left right wobble??

 

[Firewalker]

There is vibration for sure but make sure you use rubber isolation mounts on the buffer and use some thread-locker so they don't shake loose. There is no "wobble" to speak of, more like jumping. The best way to mount one is to mortar cinder blocks up to a working height, place threaded studs in the filler concrete and screw isolators on the studs, bolt the buffer to the isolators and go at it!

Lacking that, get a stand from Harbor Freight and use isolators to keep the vibration down.

 

[novitiate]

I've made many buffers & grinders from scrap motors like open-frame dishwasher ones. For me the motor was never the problem, it was selecting the appropriate wheel/polish to the material. There is some good basic info at this link:

http://www.pjtool.com/polishing-instructions.htm

If you follow the above, there is another link for metals & plastics polishing

http://www.pjtool.com/deluxemetalandplasticpolishingkit.aspx

In the middle of the page, there are more links on polishing info for wheels, compounds, & so on.

I have no affiliation with the above company but have found their site very helpful in the past.

 

[Firewalker]

I've made many buffers & grinders from scrap motors like open-frame dishwasher ones. For me the motor was never the problem, it was selecting the appropriate wheel/polish to the material. There is some good basic info at this link:

http://www.pjtool.com/polishing-instructions.htm

If you follow the above, there is another link for metals & plastics polishing

http://www.pjtool.com/deluxemetalandplasticpolishingkit.aspx

In the middle of the page, there are more links on polishing info for wheels, compounds, & so on.

I have no affiliation with the above company but have found their site very helpful in the past.

I have a #1 block of brown tripoli from PJ's that works really well on hardwoods and it takes down scratches quickly without a lot of heat build up. Not so good on plastics though.