Bench Grinder vs Bench Buffer

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Mar 17, 2007 | 04:57 AM

hunt4cleanair

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

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From: Myrtle Beach SC

Bench Grinder vs Bench Buffer

I thought these were the same until I started shopping...so, what's the difference?

I'm looking at an 8" 3/4 hp buffer...is that adequate?

Mar 17, 2007 | 08:06 AM

Chuck Gongloff

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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida

Here's what I have. It's a Baldor 3/4 HP. It's big. Lots of torque.

Mine has a pedistal too. It's not shown in this pic pirated from their website.

My bench grinder is just that...a little Craftsman that I can put a stone or wire wheel on.

Doesn't have the torque or power for polishing IMHO. Chuck

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Mar 17, 2007 | 08:22 AM

saudivette

Melting Slicks

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From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia

In my opinion, a 3/4 hp motor is fine for grinding or polishing. Some years ago, I had a 3/4 hp bench grinder that I mounted on a pedestal and used for everything. I had a Linishall (brand name I think) belt attachment on one side and a grinding wheel on the other side. If I wanted to buff something, I removed the grinding wheel and put a buffing wheel spindle on it and fitted the buffing wheel. I never had any problems using it like that.

The only thing to pay attention to is the speed rating of the grinding and buffing wheels with regard to the speed of your machine...

Last edited by saudivette; Mar 17, 2007 at 08:27 AM.

Mar 17, 2007 | 11:04 AM

zwede

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From: Plano TX

Bench grinders aren't created equal. Basically, there are 2 types on the market: Dewalt, ryobi etc are ALL made in China. The only one made in the USA is Baldor. The Chinese ones are over rated on power. They claim 1/2 hp, 3/4 hp but when you look at the power consumption and do some simple math it turns out the rating is impossible.

Baldor rates theirs honestly. So a 1/3 hp Baldor has much more umph than a Chinese 1/2 hp.

I have the Baldor "big red". It's a nice general purpose grinder. It will do polishing as long as you're nice to it. For professional polishing you need a much beefier unit like the one above. I think polishers run at lower rpm though so they are not very good at grinding.

In any case, get a Baldor. Great quality. Yes, they cost more than the Chinese stuff but you only buy it once. You'll use it for years.

Mar 17, 2007 | 11:21 AM

bobs77vet

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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

and theres the home made ones out of left over stuff

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Mar 17, 2007 | 11:52 AM

cchristo

Pro

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 620

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From: San Antonio TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobs77vet

and theres the home made ones out of left over stuff

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yeah! that's my style and price range. Fits me to a "T".

I had made one out of an old washing machine motor years ago. Wish I still had it. After all my moves, I don't even know what happened to it.

Mar 17, 2007 | 12:15 PM

I'm Batman

Team Owner

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From: Springfield MO

St. Jude Donor '07

My buffing motor is an ancient Delco refrigerator motor with a buffing mandrel on the output shaft. Motor is built like a freakin' tank...no wonder refrigerators were so expensive and heavy back in the day.

Mar 17, 2007 | 12:39 PM

hunt4cleanair

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

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From: Myrtle Beach SC

This crowd is not without creativity. I was browsing the swap meet over at the Pee Dee Hot Rod show and spotted one rather generic budder 8" at 3/4 hp for $139...no accessories. Than on another aisle spotted a Baldor with stand 8" 3/4 hp for $475...needless to say I was curious.