Which Buffer for beginner

S

SSLIGH

Joined
Dec 3, 2008
Messages
6
I am new to knife making and I'm in the market for a buffer to polish knives and some gun parts. I do not want to spend a fortune on a buffer. Any suggestions on where to find a good low cost buffer? Size motor? RPM speed?
Thanks for the help
S. Sligh
 
Get a small 1/3 HP motor and put a buffing wheel arbor on it, less power the better for starting out.
 
If you really want a buffer, Baldor 1/4 HP 1725 RPM and an appropriate wheel in tight
sticthed and maybe a a loose stitched wheel on the other end...green chome rouge.

Buffing is seriously potentially painful process. Hand finishing to the grit needed is much safer....and .maybe, to 2500 grit and then maybe buffed lightly is pretty OK finish, to make the hand stroked finish achieve a polished hand stroked finish....looks real deep.....
 
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Phil thats interesting since I've been telling people for years my first buffer was couderoy
stapled to a 1x2" stick
Ken.
 
You can buy a decent bench (stone) grinder at Sears for fairly low cost to get started. Of course it will be a 3600-rpm unit, which is twice as fast as is generally recommended. You can help prevent burning your scales by using 6" diameter buffs. This will keep your surface speed down to almost optimum levels.

This is what I am still using. I just can't justify the purchase of a $200+ Baldor, since my craftsman grinder does a very satifactory job.

Good luck and be careful.

Mike L.
 
Hi - I learned on a 3400 rpm buffer, have rarely used a 1700 rpm machine. Safety is safety and applies the same to both. You should not need much pressure on the buffer, so low hp is fine.
 
I used a buff wheel chucked in my drill press for over a year before I converted an old grinder over to a buffer. It was very inexpensive, about $10-15 and didn't take up any additional shop space. I only use the buffer for a few minutes on each knife, so I just couldn't justify sacrificing the bench space. You can get collets for buffing pads at the harware store.

Harbor Freight has 3/4 or 1HP buffers [I can't remember] for about $69 not on sale. But as we all know, everything at Harbor Frieght goes on sale sooner or later. Keep checking their adds.
 
Thanks for all the great information. With all the safety concerns I think I will wear my bullet proof vest under my leather shop apron when I start :).
Seriuosly Thanks for all the help.
 
I don't know if anyone else does this, but I turned my buffer around (So the wheels spin up) a few months ago and do my buffing on the top of the wheel. This way, if it catches, it throws the piece away from you instead of into you. Seems a lot safer to me. Anyone else run theirs like this?

-Mark
 
mtredmon said:
I don't know if anyone else does this, but I turned my buffer around (So the wheels spin up) a few months ago and do my buffing on the top of the wheel. This way, if it catches, it throws the piece away from you instead of into you. Seems a lot safer to me. Anyone else run theirs like this?

-Mark
Click to expand...

Yeah. I stand behind it and buff at about 10 o'clock or so on a 10" wheel.
 
mtredmon said:
I don't know if anyone else does this, but I turned my buffer around (So the wheels spin up) a few months ago and do my buffing on the top of the wheel. This way, if it catches, it throws the piece away from you instead of into you. Seems a lot safer to me. Anyone else run theirs like this?

-Mark
Click to expand...

I thought this was the only way to buff!!! :D

Mark W
 
This is my buffers I use in the shop. Baldor 3/4 HP 1800 RPM. If you are going to purchase a buffer, I would go for something more in the professional grade. And order the safety shields for the wheels. You may find some use buffer on eBay and in some machinery supply that sale used equipment. But one of the most important things is be safe. And Welcome to Bladefourms. :)

Terry

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