Slow down my buffer
- Thread starter nipper
- Start date
What size wheels? You can always slow it down with smaller wheels. I'm sure someone will be along that can actually give you the speed reduction.
4" wheels should get you to the RPM's you desire, but I am not for certain.
This recently came up on the brush-making thread. And there is a difference between rpm and fpm (feet per minute). Smaller wheels mean lower fpm, not rpm. MLCS has a router speed control that might slow the rpm down (http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/speed_control.html). Never tried it--but I would love to know if it works! Variable-speed grinders (Delta, Craftsman) are said to work best when you start the thing at full speed. Let it come to full speed and then lower to the rpm needed. The same would hold true here, and you would probably only need to dial the speed down a little bit, perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 max., given the application of the load (which will slow it down as well). The speed controls in question can handle up to 15 to 20 amps, and have allegedly been used with sanders, bandsaws, etc. I believe a bandsaw's motor would be analogous to a grinder's, but I'm no electrician.
[Edit: I would definitely call the two companies involved beforehand and ask them what they think.]
[Edit: I would definitely call the two companies involved beforehand and ask them what they think.]
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Mine runs at 2350 rpm but with 4 inch wheels it's great. I actually wouldn't want it any slower.
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- #7
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
You could also buy an arbor and a pair of pulleys, mount one on the grinder and run a belt to the arbor. Your speed reduction will be the ratio of the diameters. You can set your own custom speed.
An AC motor normally runs at a speed set by the frequency of the alternating current times the number of poles in the motor. That is why many large variable speed AC motors are adjustable in steps and not continuously variable. An electronic speed control for an AC motor essentially changes the frequency of the alternating current.
An AC motor normally runs at a speed set by the frequency of the alternating current times the number of poles in the motor. That is why many large variable speed AC motors are adjustable in steps and not continuously variable. An electronic speed control for an AC motor essentially changes the frequency of the alternating current.
Router controls are not recommended for single speed grinders, but I use one on my cheapie Ryobi anyways with decent results for quick touch up polishing. No experience with long sessions with greaseless.
It works ok, but drop the speed too much and the torque is barely enough to do any work, and it heats up quickly.
I suspect too long at too low a speed will burn the grinder out, so YMMV.
It works ok, but drop the speed too much and the torque is barely enough to do any work, and it heats up quickly.
I suspect too long at too low a speed will burn the grinder out, so YMMV.
Yeah, adding a rheostat will probably burn out and electrocute you.
dimmer=bad mojo for motors stay away from them. will fry one or both.
I think this is what slash is recommending. I don't know how old this buffer is but it was originally a grinder till i got it. The motor is 1725rpm. I haven't figured up the actual Roma it runs but it works great for plastic on brushes and polishing straights. If you check some flea markets or somewhere that has old tools you can find on of these pretty easy and just add a belt and a pulley to your motor.
This one is now two sided. I use two 6" wheels and it works great.
This one is now two sided. I use two 6" wheels and it works great.
Could you find a small greaseless compound wheel for that?
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
I think this is what slash is recommending. I don't know how old this buffer is but it was originally a grinder till i got it. The motor is 1725rpm. I haven't figured up the actual Roma it runs but it works great for plastic on brushes and polishing straights. If you check some flea markets or somewhere that has old tools you can find on of these pretty easy and just add a belt and a pulley to your motor.
This one is now two sided. I use two 6" wheels and it works great.
Yes, that's exactly what I meant. BTW, halving the speed by going with a 2x pulley size also doubles your available torque at the output shaft, FWIW.
We have plenty of pulleys here at work I might have to try out some different ones. I prefer this try of setup over a standard buffer any day.
Eric: Buffing wheels are buffing wheels it just depends on what you use on them. I have two wheels one my setup and and I only use black, white and blue compounds from Caswells. Maybe when I love I might get into greaseless but they are too messy for me at the moment.
Eric: Buffing wheels are buffing wheels it just depends on what you use on them. I have two wheels one my setup and and I only use black, white and blue compounds from Caswells. Maybe when I love I might get into greaseless but they are too messy for me at the moment.
Since I centered the shaft and put another wheel on it. There isn't that much room any more. You have to be careful as to not hit the carrage in the middle. I need to just go and have a long shaft turned for it. Then it would be perfect. Any machinist out there? I was onc a tool and die maker but my life has moved in a different direction do no access to a lathe.
