Topic: Bench top and hand held polisher recommendations?

[andrewraffaele]

Dear all,

Hope everyone's well. I'd like to polish up all of my covers, and for the prices people have quoted me I figure I should just learn a new skill and add a machine to my garage. I have a bunch of questions:

What rpm should I be looking for, and is a variable speed machine important?
What horse power? I've seen 1/2, 3/4, 1, and 1 1/2
Can I get away with a harbor freight or used machine off of ebay?
Any particular pad or polishing compound recommendations?
Lastly, should I ditch the idea of a bench top model and go for a hand held unit? (I also want to polish an aluminum gas tank)

Thanks kindly, and if there are any chicago area members that polish please pm me if ya want to share your wisdom.

Andrew

[70CB750]

I made mine from 1/2HP motor and it is sufficient.  For hand held polishing I use dremel rotary tool - I am able to cover all my needs with this combo.

[754]

 Foredom makes excellent stuff.

[Lostboy Steve]

I have a baldor buffer. Works great. I also have some #$%*ty Chinese bench top drill press that has adjustable rpms and it works good with a buffer put in the chuck.

[Stev-o]

Here is some great info....


http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm

[toytuff]

Great link Steve-o!

tt

[KB02]

I picked up one of these are Sears (though I DID NOT pay that much for it...). It has worked pretty good and I have been happy with it. I also have a dremel and, like 70CB750, I am all set with the combo.

[lucky]

What is the best size buffer motor for side cases?

1/2 HP,..3/4 HP?..1 HP?

[azuredesign]

I have a 3/4hp Redwing that turns at 3610rpm with an auto chuck on one side and a fixed chuck on the other. I use a number of different shaped and hardness cotton wheels up to 8 inch diameter, and prefer to use tripoli compound to remove the clear coat from aluminum parts and to slightly reshape the alloy, and white rouge for final polishing. Following the white rouge I usually use Mothers alu and mag polish to get rid of the residual polishing compound.

I also use an electric handpiece that has a variable speed foot switch and turns max 30k for small areas.
There are some perks having access to cast off dental lab equipment!