New maker with free buffer...alternative use?

R

Rancho5

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Feb 10, 2015
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New knife maker here. Was given a Craftsman 1/2 HP 6” arbor buffer. When she described it before I picked it up, my friend said it was a bench grinder and I needed one. It’s not variable speed and is 3450 rpm. Actually has a buffing wheel on one side and a wire wheel on the other. This thing scares me and I’m wondering what alternative uses it might have. Or if there are inexpensive plug-in things that would slow this thing down. If I do buff, which is RARELY, I have a buffing wheel for my drill press and I can change speed.

Thoughts on what to do with a 1/2 HP 3450 RPM buffer, that would be useful and safe?

Thought about just putting it on Craig’s and then buying a decent bench grinder which is what I wanted in the first place.

Any ideas appreciated.
 
1/2” arbor. I thought about stones but with no tool rest, not sure how useful it would be. You got any ideas?
 
Almost any bench grinder you can buy runs at 3450 RPM.
Putting 4" buffing wheels on it effectively slows the surface speed down.
 
Put a scotch brite wheel on it for deburring. I probably use mine every day.
 
I just made a 6” MDF wheel for sharpening but without a lathe it’s tough to get true. Cut it as close as I could on a scroll saw, then mounted it and put a piece of 60 grit on a piece of large rough stock, then put the stock under the wheel as it spun, using the bench top as a pivot, and that did an ok job, although I can see tiny bits of daylight when I sharpened my Rat. Need a friend with a lathe.
 
I would not use a 3450RPM buffer or sharpener. Only use would be to de-burr things with a stone or scotch brite wheel.
You can't slow it down. If you want a buffer or bench grinder that is versitile, make one with a 3/4HP motor and an arbor. Use the pulley size to set the speed. If you find a 3Phase motor or DC motor, you can use a VFD or speed controller to make it VS. I like 1000RPM as the high speed on buffers for knives. I buff handles ate half that.
 
Lieblad said:
Put an expanding wheel on it. I use mine everyday.
Click to expand...

Unless the expanding drum is rated for 3450 (and I haven't seen one that is) that's a very bad idea.
I know because I stupidly did it years ago. It worked fine until I snagged something and the belt, which was holding everything together, ripped off and the drum literally exploded in my face and chest! I was OK, but I really thought I was dead for a few seconds.
 
Since they scare the crap out of me, and I’d find more use for a bench grinder, it’s going on Craig’s

Anyone in the ABQ area want it?
 
I was given one from Harbor Freight and I use it to buff out handles. Mostly Micarta. I tried it with some Stabilized burls and it worked well but then I was told it was not ideal because the compound can clog any open pores in the wood.
 
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