Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:26 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 15 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 3:05 pm 
Offline
Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2018 2:51 pm
Posts: 77
I’m starting to think about buying a buffing machine mostly for bodies and necks. I’ve seen the StewMac offering of course. Anyone have any recommendations? Not really looking to build anything just wanna buy ready to use.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 5:32 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:35 pm
Posts: 2951
Location: United States
First name: Joe
Last Name: Beaver
City: Lake Forest
State: California
Focus: Build
Although pricey, Stew Mac most likely is a good choice.

Being of low budget, I got mine from Caswell but, when I look at their site I don't see it. It is a good machine at a good price. You might want to call them and see if they will be offering again. Mine looks just like this from the caswell site,
Attachment:
buff_stand.jpg


You want a RPM of around 1725 and a long shaft, something at least 30" end to end.

Another place to look is Grizzly, here: https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzl ... RPM/G1061Z

I have no experience with this buffer but others might.

Eastwood also has some that might work: https://www.eastwood.com/shop-equipment.html Again, no experience here


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust


Last edited by Joe Beaver on Thu May 16, 2019 5:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 5:56 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:47 pm
Posts: 2422
First name: Jay
Last Name: De Rocher
City: Bothell
State: Washington
I'm looking forward to the recommendations. This is the next tool I want to add to my shop.

The StewMac setup is 36" wide between buffing wheels which seems like a nice feature. The Grizzly and Eastwood ones are 16" wide. ANy opinions about whether 16" is sufficient/tolerable/not enough?

_________________
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 6:33 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:27 pm
Posts: 375
First name: john
Last Name: shelton
City: Alsea
State: Oregon
Zip/Postal Code: 97324
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Another option is the Shop Fox. I have one and am pleased with it although I would prefer that the buffing wheels were farther apart. You need to supply your own motor and v-belt.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:20 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:21 am
Posts: 4839
Location: Central PA
First name: john
Last Name: hall
City: Hegins
State: pa
Zip/Postal Code: 17938
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
shop fox with a 1/3 hp 1725 motor is plenty

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it



These users thanked the author bluescreek for the post: Bri (Fri May 17, 2019 9:15 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:46 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:21 am
Posts: 3289
First name: Brad
Last Name: Combs
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I also had a Caswell 3/4 HP, but switched to the SM setup after spending time in Brian Howard’s shop and using his. The Caswell I had is apparently more for metal polishing. It worked OK but was too easy to overheat the finish.

If you want everything ready to go out of the box the SM setup would be your best best, IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:48 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:43 am
Posts: 1700
I purchased the stewmac months ago. Pricy... but well built and it does a really nice job


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 6:28 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:06 pm
Posts: 2739
Location: Magnolia DE
First name: Brian
Last Name: Howard
City: Magnolia
State: Delaware
Zip/Postal Code: 19962
Country: United States
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
Caswell doesn't currently have anything slow enough to buff finishes. Their equipment all runs at metal polishing speeds so a speed control would be a mandatory accessory.

For a complete kit, ready to go out of the box it is hard to beat the SM.

_________________
Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 8:50 am 
Offline
Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2018 2:51 pm
Posts: 77
bluescreek wrote:
shop fox with a 1/3 hp 1725 motor is plenty


I see there are numerous buffers available in that speed range of 1725. Grizzly, etc. the StewMac runs at 700. Is there a big chance of burning through at 1725?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 9:20 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:27 pm
Posts: 375
First name: john
Last Name: shelton
City: Alsea
State: Oregon
Zip/Postal Code: 97324
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
6string wrote:
bluescreek wrote:
shop fox with a 1/3 hp 1725 motor is plenty


I see there are numerous buffers available in that speed range of 1725. Grizzly, etc. the StewMac runs at 700. Is there a big chance of burning through at 1725?

There are motors available with lower rpm and you can also adjust speed using different pulley sizes. I'm using a 1/2 hp, 1725 rpm because that's what I had, the speed is reduced to a little over 700. I'd rather have the Stewmac one but the price difference was substantial. If I did it again I'd put together my own arbor with a very long shaft. It's not all that challenging a project.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 9:43 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 1:11 pm
Posts: 2335
Location: Spokane, Washington
First name: Pat
Last Name: Foster
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
I ordered a SM setup without the motor because I had a 1/3 HP motor already. I can stall the motor, but that keeps me from burning through.

Even with the 36" shaft, it can be a bit awkward keeping clear of the housing.

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 10:05 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7241
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair
I broke down and bought the StewMac version - glad I did, it works well and after a few years I've forgotten the hurt in the wallet.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 10:34 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 11:42 pm
Posts: 682
Location: United States
First name: Tom
Last Name: Rein
City: Saline
State: Michigan
Focus: Build
I have a Stewmac buffer and Menzerna compounds I might be willing to sell, if you are interested. I'm located just outside Ann Arbor.

_________________
Stay with the happy people.
--Reynolds Large


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 11:55 am 
Offline
Mahogany
Mahogany

Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2018 2:51 pm
Posts: 77
TRein wrote:
I have a Stewmac buffer and Menzerna compounds I might be willing to sell, if you are interested. I'm located just outside Ann Arbor.


I wish I would’ve seen this earlier, I already ordered the StewMac a couple hrs ago.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 10:11 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:15 pm
Posts: 1041
First name: Gil
Last Name: Draper
City: Knoxville
State: Tennessee
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
Sm buffer here. If y'all want to save lots of money on buffing wheels and compound get them from Jescar. WAY cheaper than StewMac.



These users thanked the author Goodin for the post: Joe Beaver (Sat May 18, 2019 9:13 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 15 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: meddlingfool and 54 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com