Buffing Arbors

[jawilder]

I have been using a 3/4 HP Grinder for my dedicated buffer and would like to put buffing arbors on it but am not sure what size of arbor to get. The shaft on the grinder is 5/8" but the threads are 1/2". I can get either 5/8" or 1/2" arbor... which one should I get?

Here is the type of arbor I am talking about

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If your buffer has a threaded shaft, It is made for grinding wheels, not buffing. You can get threaded adapters. Clamping the adapter shown on the threads may not run smooth.

FWIW, since others are reading this - high speed grinders (3450RPM) are not usually meant to be used as buffers.

 

[wolffbite]

If your buffer has a threaded shaft, It is made for grinding wheels, not buffing. You can get threaded adapters. Clamping the adapter shown on the threads may not run smooth.

FWIW, since others are reading this - high speed grinders (3450RPM) are not usually meant to be used as buffers.

Really? It seems the majority of products I see sold as "buffers" are almost exclusively the higher speed (sold with buffing wheels and NOT hard grinding wheels). At least in Canada anyways... is a 1750rpm better because of heat buildup?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

They will sell a lot of things as BUFFERS at some discount tool places. I feel that a buffer made for dedicated buffing, especially with a large wheel, should run between 1000 and 1750RPM. It is really a matter of SFM. You want a buff to run between 3000 and 6000 SFM. on a 6" wheel you can get away with 3450, but you are at the top speed. When running a 10-12" wheel, 1750 is the only safe speed, and slower is needed to prevent burning wooden handles and ivories.