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Motor size for buffer
- Thread starter TLR
- Start date
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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That might work for handle buffing with a 6" buff, but 1/2 to 3/4HP is really what you want for blade buffing on a 6" buff. 10" and 12" buffs need 1HP.
Why are you using a belt drive setup for the buffer? Why not put the buff wheel direct to shaft? I use a 1/3 hp 1725 rpm motor for buffing and find it just about perfect. I'm not trying to cut with the buffer, but only to polish, and mostly for wood. That doesn't take any power at all, you're just "touching" the buff wheel to the wood when polishing. The wood should already be at 1,000+ grit, better at 2,000+ grit.
Even for putting a mirror finish to a blade, it should be sanded to 1,000+ grit before using buffer. Again, it doesn't take much power at all there. I like a loose buffer wheel when doing blades with the lower power motor. The loose buff wheel will collapse before putting that much pressure to "grab" the blade from hand. Still have to be careful, and always buff on lower part of wheel, and don't allow wheel to catch at top of blade edge.
Later
Even for putting a mirror finish to a blade, it should be sanded to 1,000+ grit before using buffer. Again, it doesn't take much power at all there. I like a loose buffer wheel when doing blades with the lower power motor. The loose buff wheel will collapse before putting that much pressure to "grab" the blade from hand. Still have to be careful, and always buff on lower part of wheel, and don't allow wheel to catch at top of blade edge.
Later
TLR
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Well you know, I've just always seen buffers with two wheels 
What size buff wheel do you have mounted directly? Does the motor get in the way?
Two wheels would give me the ability to have two grits without changing back and forth. I would lose a bit less from the motor hp wise with it mounted directly.
Thanks for making me think through it.
What size buff wheel do you have mounted directly? Does the motor get in the way?Two wheels would give me the ability to have two grits without changing back and forth. I would lose a bit less from the motor hp wise with it mounted directly.
Thanks for making me think through it.
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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A buffing head with a belt ca make a great buffer. It allows any motor to be used, and you can upgrade the motor to VS or larger later. They cost surprisingly little. Here are some shots of one I am currently building for handle buffing with VS.Here is a thread on it I started:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/variable-speed-bufferoption.1569569/
Stacy, I had forgotten about that buffer head you linked to. That is a GOOD deal is my thinking.
TLR: I typically run around an 8" buffer, and yes you do have to be careful sometimes about interference from motor, but when polishing a handle it's not much of an issue. You can always angle the blade away and make it work. I'm thinking CHEAP!!! here but still functional.
TLR: I typically run around an 8" buffer, and yes you do have to be careful sometimes about interference from motor, but when polishing a handle it's not much of an issue. You can always angle the blade away and make it work. I'm thinking CHEAP!!! here but still functional.