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Bench Grinder vs Bench Buffer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
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?
I'm looking at an 8" 3/4 hp buffer...is that adequate?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
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
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
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...
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.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
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.
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.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
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.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
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.
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