can I put a buffing wheel on a bench grinder?

[oldarmy]

Guys,
I know it's not traditional, but I have been trying my hand a building knifes, so far very 20th century :redface:
Of course anytime you start a new hobby, there are more questions then answers.
I have a bench grinder and want to know, can I mount a buffing wheel on it? Need to polish better then I can with my 1x42 sanding belts.
If this isn't the right place to ask.. my appoligies
regards
mike

 

[navaho]

Yes you can.

 

[bwhoffman]

short answer...yes you can.
the caution is your motor probly turns too fast to be real effictive.
I run a buffer on a 3400 rmp 1/4 hp motor (fan motor) hav an 8 inch buffer on it and works well.
Grainger and mcmaster carr have all the stuff to set you up.

 

[J.M.]

Please do yourself a favor and be very careful with that setup. I know lots of makers and most say the most dangerous equipment in their shops are the buffers. If it grabs a blade on you it can get pretty exciting! Something scary about a knife flying around at 3500 rpms, it will get your attention and can hurt you very badly. I heard a story about a knife being thrown into a concrete floor and sticking in!

 

[blacksmithman64]

I used a washing machine motor setup with a belt drive,and it did ok, the rpm's werent enough to jerk it out of your hands,and it would just bog down if you applied too much pressure.I have a spare washing machine motor by the way...

 

[BlackNet]

That's what I have setup. I bought a variable speed grinder from sears and put buffing wheels on it, it's 1/2" arbors. I use the 1" wide loose wheels from brownells and brownells 555 grey compound.

Buffing in general regardless of the setup is a very dangerous tool. Some use old sanding belts on the floor to catch flying objects but I dont. It's all aobut control and handling the object. To much pressure and not holding it right will send it flying quite fast.

Ed

 

[oldarmy]

thanks for the answers..
Both the books I have say buffing is a very dangous opperation and needs to be approched with caution. I will be carefull. A veriable speed grinder from sears sounds like to best setup for me. I have limmited space in my workshop.
This very high polishing, must be a 20th century thing.
I can't believe that PC knifes had the polish we put on them.
regards

 

[boondocker]

Check out Harbor Freight as they have buffers at a reasonable price. They have long arbors that give you alot more room to work and stay out of trouble. I know its Chineese but look at alot of your sears stuff ( same Honey different dress.).

 

[chipper]

I have a 1 x 42 and a 2 x 42, I go down to 60 grit and then transfer the blade to a vise. I have a buffing attachment to my drill with 220 grit sand paper. I use the 220 to get the remaining scratches out. I hold my bare hand under the blade to be sure there's no heat building up. Then it off to hand polishing with 800, 2000 wet and finish with brasso. I buff everything lightly with a polishing wheel I have on my grinder. I swap it out with ginding wheels, deburring and buffing wheels. The key in my process is the light sanding with 220 grit on my drill. It really removes the deep scratches.

By the way, the buffing wheel is by far the most dangerous weapon in the shop. It's allways trying to flip blades out of my hands.
I think you need at least 3/4 hp motor to pull a 8" buffer. I bought mine at harbor frieght for 39$. The 1/4 amp one's simply aren't big enough, they bog with the slightest pressure.

Regards
Loyd Shindelbower
Loveland Colorado

 

[BlackNet]

I kid you not, 400 belt sander to the 555 brownells on the buffer is all you need.

Ed