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Source for 14" Buffs with a 1-1/2" Arbor Hole?

johfoster

Cast Iron
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
I have a 5hp Baldor Buffer that I am trying to source buffing wheels for, and after getting around to it have realized it has 1-1/2" arbors instead of the standard 1-1/4". Does anyone know of an off the shelf source for the airway style buffs with a 1-1/2" arbor hole? (I did find a company that said they will make them for me, and have done that for other customers they said)

I am also thinking of buying some standard 14" buffs and bringing the arbor hole size up the extra .25" to fit my machine, but not sure how I feel about that option yet. Not sure how balanced steel centered buffs are to begin with, and once you start using them they would sort of self balance I suppose. No good way to hold the buffs for centering up the hole that I can think of, but the set of flanges will be easy to modify.

Anyone else run into this problem ever? I think this motor was originally setup as the head of a big dual belt sander, but otherwise looks just like any other buffer motor so I didn't give it any thought when I picked it up used.

Thanks.
 

johfoster

Cast Iron
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Jeez. 5HP on a buffer sounds like a death wish. I hope it's not for hand held parts...
A buff spinning at 1800rpm is a buff spinning at 1800rpm? Probably more likely to grab and throw a part out your hands if under powered and bogged down under pressure. It is a bit scary standing at it I will agree, but not much more that a 1.5hp. (which would be plenty to throw a part like a rocket out of your hands) Doesn't seem too crazy to me though, just use caution like with everything in the shop. Iirc the polishing shop I have used in town has bigger looking than this one running 20" buffs. (old school looking thing, arbor up top belt driven by the motor)
 

johfoster

Cast Iron
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
And even faster yet than a 6" wheel

A 14" at 1800 will run about 6500 sfm, I should be in a good range iirc for polishing the stainless parts I am setting this up for. Maybe a bit fast for the final mirror buff?
 

GregSY

Diamond
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Location
Houston
I've heard the SS trim polishers swear by 3600RPM on an 8" wheel but I never liked it. I much preferred 1800RPM for better control and less chance of flinging
 

WizardOfBoz

Diamond
Joined
Sep 30, 2006
Location
SE PA, Philly
That would be an easy solution to the opposite of my problem. I have a shaft that is already 1-1/2", and need to fit what is commonly sold for a 1-1/4" shaft.
Ah, so you need MC Escher to draw the engineering sketch of your part, with a 1-1/2 id and a 1-1/4 od. Sorry.
 








 
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