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Inexpensive Buffer
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:33 pm
by Frank
I just stumbled upon this item:
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/probuff.html meant for buffing turned pens. Includes wheels & compound.
It could be handy for the hobbyist pipemaker trying to stay under $100 for a buffing setup, but it isn't very big.
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:36 pm
by kkendall
The slowest speed of this buffer is 2000 RPM and uses 4" wheels. That's actually pretty good. It's actually considerably slower in terms of SFPM (surface feet per minute) than a 1725 RPM motor with 8" wheels. Calculate (.25*Dia) * RPM
2000 SFPM vs 3450 SFPM
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:57 pm
by Briarfox
What SRPM Do you want when buffing carnuba? I've always heard 1700 rpm but what size buff?
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:50 am
by LexKY_Pipe
Not a bad price either.
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:15 am
by kkendall
The thing is, I would suspect if you applied any pressure against the wheel, you will be able to stop the motor. You really do need a little bit of HP. Maybe 1/3 HP (I would think) is a min for general purpose.
But for doing stems, and maybe lightly applying wax to a stummel, this certainly is a good price.
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:36 pm
by Frank
Briarfox wrote:What SRPM Do you want when buffing carnuba? I've always heard 1700 rpm but what size buff?
Most folks on this site use 6" to 8" diameter wheels. I have beefier equipment, so I use 10" unstitched wheels. Wheel diameter isn't that critical when final buffing with carnauba, because the unstitched loose wheel isn't likely to cause scorching. I use Tyler's method, gently applying the pipe to the wheel edge.
PS: Just in case in you're confusing the terms:
rpm = revolutions per minute (the number of revolutions the shaft/wheel makes per minute)
sfpm = surface feet per minute (the speed at which the surface of the wheel is passing a fixed point).
The larger the wheel diameter, the higher the sfpm at the same rpm's.