Can I turn my extra grinder into a buffer?

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Status
Not open for further replies.
BigguyZ

BigguyZ

Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
764
Location
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
OK, please excuse my ignorance on this, but here's the issue.

I just upgraded my grinder from an HF 6" grinder to the Woodcraft slow speed grinder. Now with the extra tool, I'm wondering if I can pretty much just slap on a buffing wheel. Are there any issues with doing this? Will I have to modify the grinder? Is the 3400 rpm an issue? Are there any recomended wheels out there, or are they all the same?

Thanks in advance for the help!
Travis
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Travis, it can work. With the 3600 rpms, it will heat things up fast, so you would do best to get a smaller wheel, like a 4" diameter to cut down on surface feet per minute. I buff at 3600 rpms, but I have some practice at that. It will easily ruin a part if you're not careful.
 
Can you slow s std speed grinder down by modifying it? I don't mind risking the grinder, as it was $20 and is an extra... I don't really think I NEED a buffer, but I figured why not, if I have the extra equipment...
 
Slow is better for me. I have a variable speed buffer from w.w. grainger.I always find that the best finish is when running it on slower speed. Things get hot quick at a higher speed.It makes a difference in how much pressure you put on the parts to.Use a very light touch.
 
As said, too fast. You can mount at the end of a table and mount an 8" buffing wheel on it. Two problems, the edges of the 8" wheel will be moving VERY fast and most 6" grinders don't have much in the way of muscle. You might stop it, even with gently buffing. One the whole, it sounds like you have a garage sale item there.
 
Originally posted by BigguyZ
<br />OK, sounds like this is a no-go. I don't really need a biffer, IMHO; I just thought it could be handy if I could modify what I have for cheap.
Click to expand...

You may not need a biffer, but if you do many acrylics you may want a buffer! [}:)][;)] It takes me about 2-3 minutes to finish acrylics to glass quality using the Beale buffing system (props to Ed a.k.a. Yoyospin for showing this on his videos). I sanded these with 340 grit to even everything out, then took them through the Beale system

Sierras-Confederate-1.JPG
 
3450 works great ... for flinging stuff all over the shop in great speed!!

I tried it once and not only flung the nice rare weighted handle for my Delta lathe into a wall, I broke the dang thing in half. [:(!] I say sell a pen or two and buy a nice VS buffer. A six inch one will be more than large enough for pens and stuff.

If you have access to a small lowe rpm motor, you can make one by byuing a mandrel to fit a motor shaft, but you have only one wheel unless the motor is a dual arbor.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom