Thank you ! Very informative. I've been gathering parts and pieces to cobble together a buffer myself for a couple of years now. I believe that I have everything now with the exception of the motor and pulleys. I acquired the pillow block bearings a few years ago off a job I was working on, the bearings were brand new and the company was cleaning up the site and shops, and they were going to be thrown away (the amount of waste in industrial construction and maintenance is jaw dropping) so I rescued them. I got the shaft from another job about a year ago, fortunately I work in a mechanical, and maintenance role and was able to have one of our on-site machinist to cut it to length, cut a keyway in the center for the pulley, and cut and thread the ends to accept a 12 inch buff. I have kind of been letting the project languish in the barn for the last year though, I need to start actually looking for a decent motor for it, and pick up some pulleys, which of course, I can't do until I find a motor (need to know the horse power, and rpm of the motor to calculate pulley size needed). But hopefully I'll get it done pretty soon, it would be nice anyway.
This is great, and inspiring. My favorite of these videos so far as I explore building a buffing machine. One thing got me thinking. The SM machine is mostly because of the size of the buffing wheels rather than the RPMs. The speed (linear velocity) on the surface of a 12" wheel at 750 RPMs is about 27 mph. A 6" wheel at 650 RPMs has a speed of about 12 mph. But if you put the 12" wheels on the DIY buffer going 650 RPMs the speed will be about 23 mph. If you like the slower speed of the DIY machine, you may want to keep the smaller wheels. That makes more difference than the RPMs
Thank you James so kind of you and hope everyone would appreciate you kindness and sharing your valuable experience. Best regards and blessings from ENGLAND 🏴
You get accustomed to using the big buffing wheels. If you’re burning through you’re pressing too hard. It takes practice. The entire StewMac setup with the motor and buffs, etc, is $770. It’s $506 for just the arbor. You can find the ShopFpx arbor with no motor or wheels for $217 at LMI. I buy my motors from Grizzly.
I wonder if Harbor Freight has a motor? I would consider building this, but I may build an enclosure around the spinny part 😅. After 2 table saw incidents, I’m too paranoid not to, lol! Also, I love the color of that guitar you had in the video. Looks stinkin awesome!
I think the cheapest place to get a motor is from an old table saw or similar tool on marketplace or craigslist. Marketplace in my area has a pretty good selection of used motors for cheap. Thanks!
You need to cover that thing, guy. You’re gonna get pulled in one day with that terrible switch location. Very helpful video when it comes to knowing what I need to accomplish building a unit, so thanks for that, but please be careful.
"you're gonna burn through your polish" Yep! I kid you not, I have been trying to perfect my finishes for as long as I've been building guitars. It is absolutely the hardest part of the process. I have the stoogemac buffer. I bought just the arbor part and shop made the rest.
I got it from my brother but they are easy to find on craigslist in my area. eBay has plenty of them as well but probably more expensive. I've pulled motors out of old table saws and other tools that people don't want anymore. They aren't too hard to find if you get a little creative. Good luck.
Thank you !
Very informative.
I've been gathering parts and pieces to cobble together a buffer myself for a couple of years now. I believe that I have everything now with the exception of the motor and pulleys. I acquired the pillow block bearings a few years ago off a job I was working on, the bearings were brand new and the company was cleaning up the site and shops, and they were going to be thrown away (the amount of waste in industrial construction and maintenance is jaw dropping) so I rescued them. I got the shaft from another job about a year ago, fortunately I work in a mechanical, and maintenance role and was able to have one of our on-site machinist to cut it to length, cut a keyway in the center for the pulley, and cut and thread the ends to accept a 12 inch buff. I have kind of been letting the project languish in the barn for the last year though, I need to start actually looking for a decent motor for it, and pick up some pulleys, which of course, I can't do until I find a motor (need to know the horse power, and rpm of the motor to calculate pulley size needed). But hopefully I'll get it done pretty soon, it would be nice anyway.
This is great, and inspiring. My favorite of these videos so far as I explore building a buffing machine. One thing got me thinking. The SM machine is mostly because of the size of the buffing wheels rather than the RPMs. The speed (linear velocity) on the surface of a 12" wheel at 750 RPMs is about 27 mph. A 6" wheel at 650 RPMs has a speed of about 12 mph. But if you put the 12" wheels on the DIY buffer going 650 RPMs the speed will be about 23 mph. If you like the slower speed of the DIY machine, you may want to keep the smaller wheels. That makes more difference than the RPMs
Thank you James so kind of you and hope everyone would appreciate you kindness and sharing your valuable experience. Best regards and blessings from ENGLAND 🏴
Hi Dr, did you get my email? Thanks.
Great video James. I saw the motor and the gear wheel and stuck a note on my cheap old bandsaw 'when I die turn me into a guitar buffer'
You get accustomed to using the big buffing wheels. If you’re burning through you’re pressing too hard. It takes practice.
The entire StewMac setup with the motor and buffs, etc, is $770. It’s $506 for just the arbor.
You can find the ShopFpx arbor with no motor or wheels for $217 at LMI. I buy my motors from Grizzly.
I wonder if Harbor Freight has a motor? I would consider building this, but I may build an enclosure around the spinny part 😅. After 2 table saw incidents, I’m too paranoid not to, lol! Also, I love the color of that guitar you had in the video. Looks stinkin awesome!
I think the cheapest place to get a motor is from an old table saw or similar tool on marketplace or craigslist. Marketplace in my area has a pretty good selection of used motors for cheap. Thanks!
de Vinci Resolve NLE is an easy way to put text on your videos. Great buffer.
You need to cover that thing, guy. You’re gonna get pulled in one day with that terrible switch location. Very helpful video when it comes to knowing what I need to accomplish building a unit, so thanks for that, but please be careful.
"you're gonna burn through your polish" Yep! I kid you not, I have been trying to perfect my finishes for as long as I've been building guitars. It is absolutely the hardest part of the process. I have the stoogemac buffer. I bought just the arbor part and shop made the rest.
I still remember my first burn through... I was devastated Lol.
@@Ninety2guits,LOL
Great video!! We must protect ninety2 guitar shop from the safety police at all cost!!
Absolutely!
Thanks for such a good video and explanation! Just one doubt, what's the threaded rod diameter you used? thanks!
3/4"
Wonder if you could use a washing machine motor or if it’s worth the trouble for a super thrifty guy 🤷♂️
Probably could. I've never pulled a washing machine motor out to see what it's like so not sure.
where di u get the motor
I got it from my brother but they are easy to find on craigslist in my area. eBay has plenty of them as well but probably more expensive. I've pulled motors out of old table saws and other tools that people don't want anymore. They aren't too hard to find if you get a little creative. Good luck.
If you live in Europe then stewmac tools cost double compared to the US
99.999999 cement floors are NOT truly flat.