Alan Zenreich
11-22-2010, 11:02 AM
I already have a set of 8" Beall buffs that I've been using on a slow speed (1725 rpm) grinder. I'm moving those buffs over to a 9" SandFlee's power take off spindle. I'll make photos of that rig later.
However, yesterday I aquired a very gloatworthy Baldor LPL50 1/2 hp 3450 rpm buffer. It's unused and the price I paid was pretty embarassingly low, so I want to put it into service. This buffer is generally used by jewelers and dentists to work on small pieces.
I have a set of 3" Beall bowl buffs that work nicely at the faster rpm. However, I was thinking of getting something in 4" diameter, which on the higher speed motor will give roughly the same surface speed as the 8" wheels on the slower machine.
On this machine, I expect to do mostly small pieces (pendants, bottle stoppers pens, etc.) and bowls.
So the question is whether to get 4" flat wheels, or go for 4" bowl buffs.
I've read somewhere that the bowl buffs might be softer. Is there any downside to going with bowl buffs as opposed to flat wheels?
For comparison I've attached a photo that shows the buffer with an 8" wheel and a 3" bowl buff.
Any thoughts?
Oh, to extend the gloat, I also picked up from the same seller an unused Quatro Velocity X2 dust collector (generally used by the jewelry trade to collect gold dust during buffing). I have several other dust collectors/extractors in my shop, but I'll dedicate this two port unit to Lauren's pyrography area (to take away any smoke produced) and the nearby Hegner scroll saw.
So, two new very high quality tools for my little shop... and very little cash out of the wallet. I did however have to drive 1.5 hours each way to get the toys.
However, yesterday I aquired a very gloatworthy Baldor LPL50 1/2 hp 3450 rpm buffer. It's unused and the price I paid was pretty embarassingly low, so I want to put it into service. This buffer is generally used by jewelers and dentists to work on small pieces.
I have a set of 3" Beall bowl buffs that work nicely at the faster rpm. However, I was thinking of getting something in 4" diameter, which on the higher speed motor will give roughly the same surface speed as the 8" wheels on the slower machine.
On this machine, I expect to do mostly small pieces (pendants, bottle stoppers pens, etc.) and bowls.
So the question is whether to get 4" flat wheels, or go for 4" bowl buffs.
I've read somewhere that the bowl buffs might be softer. Is there any downside to going with bowl buffs as opposed to flat wheels?
For comparison I've attached a photo that shows the buffer with an 8" wheel and a 3" bowl buff.
Any thoughts?
Oh, to extend the gloat, I also picked up from the same seller an unused Quatro Velocity X2 dust collector (generally used by the jewelry trade to collect gold dust during buffing). I have several other dust collectors/extractors in my shop, but I'll dedicate this two port unit to Lauren's pyrography area (to take away any smoke produced) and the nearby Hegner scroll saw.
So, two new very high quality tools for my little shop... and very little cash out of the wallet. I did however have to drive 1.5 hours each way to get the toys.