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Hey guys - I plan to order the ShopFox Buffing Assembly from LMI. I have a spare 2HP Harbor Freight Motor that runs at about 1800 rpm. Will the torque of this motor be a problem for buffing? Should I plan on purchasing a 1/3 HP motor instead?

Thanks,
Mike

Bigger is fine. You do want to gear the buff down.

If the buffer grabs the work you won't be able to hold it.

I have the 3/4 HP 1100 RPM buffer from Caswell with 14" Canton flannel wheels. I use tight fitting work gloves with a rubber coating to help hang onto the work. At 3/4 HP it can yank the work out of my hand easily if I'm not careful. It hasn't happened yet, knock wood, but still. 2HP might be like riding the mechanical bull.


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I leave my belt a little slack so that it can slip a little when the load gets too strong.
A firm but relaxed grip is the requirement. If you present the wrong edge to the spinning
buffer it's gonna grab, no matter what the power. If you've ever done any wood turning
you'll know what I mean:D
2HP is probably overkill and not necessary but not "too" much IMO.
Ken

I don't think it would be too powerful. A looser belt, as mentioned, could help in the case of a catch. But I would think that a catch is a catch and can rip the guitar from your hands even if underpowered. If you have it use it as long as it is not so heavy and big it keeps you from moving the buffer when you need to.

Just don't push the work on the buffer too hard. All it takes is a little contact and the right angle.

My main buffer is a 5 HP Grizzly, and the extra power is NEVER a problem. Speed is the issue if you're working with finish, not so much the pressure. The advantage of the higher power is that if you use a variable speed motor (3 phase VFD in my case) you have lots of torque even at 150 RPM. Mine goes up to 1500 RPM, and with 12" buff, that's fast enuf to do pretty much anything.

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Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
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Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. I'm going to try the 2HP with a slack belt and geared down. I have an old guitar body that I can practice on. If it doesn't feel right or seems too risky, I'll buy a less powerful motor.