Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jan 16, 2014 12:19:53 GMT -5
I'm sure this question has already been asked and answered, but I'll ask again.
I'm thinking about building a simple 12 inch leather buffer. At what speed should I spin it?
Steve
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Jan 16, 2014 13:48:18 GMT -5
Ours, and one I recently re-mounted for a friend, runs motor speed, 1725 R.P.M. Be watchful of balance, perfection isn't necessary, close is.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 16, 2014 16:36:52 GMT -5
They are generally slowed way down for low speed to keep polish and rocks from flying away.
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jan 16, 2014 17:48:29 GMT -5
Many thanks. Clearly there's a very wide range of philosophies and solutions. My plan was to put a 12 inch pulley on the drive shaft and either a 2.5 inch (about 360 rpm) or a 1.5 inch ( about 215 rpm) on the 1725 rpm motor shaft. Even these speeds strike me as fast. Of course, once it's built it's easy to swap out the pulleys.
Steve
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Post by radio on Jan 16, 2014 18:04:55 GMT -5
I have a 12 inch leather covered polisher and would estimate it to be somewhere in the 500 to 600 rpm range. Mine is covered in Elk hide and has lasted for years. I have a piece of kitchen carpet with a thin rubber back that the leather is mounted over and it works like a champ
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Jan 16, 2014 18:39:23 GMT -5
A 3.5 inch pulley will give about 500 rpm.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 17, 2014 1:06:50 GMT -5
The 12 inch Richardsons Rock Ranch polishers haveabout 10:1 rediction so they run about 170 RPM.
Lee #2
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Post by pauls on Jan 17, 2014 1:34:15 GMT -5
A nice slow speed prevents polish slurry from flying all over the place, I have used buffs at motor speed and they dry out too quickly in my opinion, gets the stone too hot, get cracks scorch marks and dop wax melting. Half motor speed seems OK, but my equipment runs at around 200 RPM and I like it.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Jan 17, 2014 10:05:58 GMT -5
I use an 8 inch cotton buff on a standard 3600RPM grinder and am scared of it.
The cotton is rated at that speed but it will sling your work and get you too.
I only use stick tripoli on it an it is designed to stick to the cotton.
Slow sounds good.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 17, 2014 10:16:55 GMT -5
Usually the driven pulley is same size or a little smaller than the buff. 500 rpm or a little less sounds good. Where on the buff you hold the stone will give you different speeds too.
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Post by roy on Jan 17, 2014 10:25:06 GMT -5
i have one of the richardsons that i need to get rid of if anyone is interested just pm me
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 17, 2014 12:00:24 GMT -5
Just went out into the cold garage and looked, mine is a 12 inch pulley driven by 1 1/2 inch. As John said the speed possibilities are endless, you can work softer cabs near the middle where it's slow and bring harder agates and jaspers out to the faster moving edge to get a mirror polish. Also use the rounded edge for flats so it will get into the middle and do round domes on the flat portion where you can push them into the leather. Always work your stone on the side that is spinning down, a friend has a pillowcase mounted into a drawer frame under his buffer so he can pull it out when polishing. If the cab escapes the pillowcase catches it instead of the floor.
Lee #2
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Jan 17, 2014 13:21:06 GMT -5
Roy- sent you a PM.
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Post by bobby1 on Jan 26, 2014 10:56:14 GMT -5
I run a 12" carpet (over the leather) polishing wheel run at about 275 rpm. The wheel is made with a dome so I can get a polish on the center of large cabs or slabs. Bob
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