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Does anyone out there know where I can get a set of plans or instructions on how to build a buffer?. I have a machinest friend willing to help me I am thinking 14-16in buffs with a 1/2hp farm duty motor running at 700-800 rpm . I don/t like my current setup as it runs at 1700 rpm and burns through the enduro var waterbase varnish. The buffer is fine for buffing small parts . But I would like to do a better job on my classicals ?SS ?ukes thanks

Ernie,
Here is how I built mine: viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=32583&p=429400&hilit=buffing+machine#p429400

I have since lowered it to 700rpm and put a cover over the pulleys. It works great.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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http://ensorguitars.com

Thanks chris , could you please tell me where all these items were purchased ?.So I can find a source for them . I think i/ve got a 3in pulley and a 1/3 hp 1725 motor plus those green link belts from H. freight.. but my machinst friend says 1/2hp is better.Thanks for the link will make a copy.

Ernie,
I had the motor already. The pulleys and pillow block bearings I got from The Big Bearing Store online. The buffs, compound, wheel rake, and flanges I got from Grizzly. The rod and bushings I had made locally. The nuts I got from Fastenal. I will mention that I have changed pulley sizes since I originally built the machine to slow it down.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

FWIW I have a Shop Fox buffer Ernie. It was around $100. Works great and has a few reduction pulleys on it. The only benefit I can see to making your own is using longer shaft material.

Ditto what Danny said.

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Pat

thanks everyone.Will check out shop fox, and talk to my machinest and get his opinion.Chris tnx for the list cheers ernie

I looked for a dryer compressor motor, hoping I could find one cheap, but after not finding one I bit the bullet and bought Stew Mac's motor. It really wasn't all that more expensive as other suppliers I found and it comes with the pulley(?) necessary to attach the belt. I bought the belt from an auto parts store. I bought the Grizzly "portable shaft" http://www.grizzly.com/products/3-4-Hea ... haft/H8026 I mounted the motor and shaft to a piece of plywood. Space in my shop is at a premium so I had to have something I could stow without taking up much space. I bought the buffing wheels and menzerna compound from Stew Mac. It works very well.

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Thanks steve , The guys that bought the shop fox, which pulleys do you use to get it to run at 700 rpm ? and which size buffs does it use ?and where do you buy the buffs ?. I have bealls buff with white rouge, red rouge, and wax, Which menzerna compunds for final buffing and where to purchase them ? . Thanks again everyone.. PS my 1/3 hp motor has a 4in pulley .Also have a spare sears 1/2 hp 1725 motor

You will want to replace that 4" with a 1", and use the 3" or 2" on the shopfox to get a 3:1 or 2:1 reduction in speed. Also, remember that torque increases when you do this, so don't make the belt tight. You should be able to stall the buffer. I would def use the 1/3 hp motor.

The one Steve posted is OK, but you only get one wheel on the arbor, and I am unsure of how many you can stuff on a side.

Thanks mike I will probably use a 3 to 1 ratio.I/d rather try to run 600 rpm than 850 as the new (for me) enduro -var water base finish is vy thin which I like for ukes, but the downside is that it/s so easy to burn right through the finish unless one uses 6 brush coats and 2 sprayed.Which I will use for gtrs but ukes need abt 1/2 that otherwise they don/t sound good to me, and look like they have been embalmed rather than lightly finished which is the look I/m after . I was using behlens rock hard varnish but IMHO it has to be thinned by 1/2 for ukes.

Here's my set up...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

tools us and down in fl has the shop fox for abt 95$ . Where does one get a good set of 10in buffs that go with the shop fox ?? thanks

Hi Ernie, I use the 12" buffs from stewmac on my Shopfox. They work fine for me. The old stewmac buffer was the shopfox re branded.
Cal

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Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

I love these guys: http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/index.html

I use their 14" canton flannel wheels on my 1/3 hp shop fox arbor. Two on each side. I may go 3 on each side soon. I do use menzerna from StewMac

Mike

Steve, where did u get the extended flanges?

They come on the Stew Mac buffing wheels... http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/To ... heels.html

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com