Thanks Bob
Buffer speed
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mrwatch
- Posts: 1456
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:58 pm
- Location: michigan
Buffer speed
What is the prefered RPM for buffing knives. I have 1750 rpm. I believe I also have a 3200 rpm motor. I also have the typical buffer cakes plus zam and fabuluster but don't find any way neer to mirror finish on an old knife.
Thanks Bob
Thanks Bob
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Ringmaster
- Posts: 498
- Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:59 pm
- Location: Arkansas
Definitely go with the 1750 (it's probably 1725, tho').
There have been other threads in the past about buffing - but it bears repeating. The Buffer Is The Most Dangerous Tool In The Shop. Hukk, will you please Underline that sentence for me ?
It's not so much about the rpm, as it is about the surface speed of the wheel. Big wheels turn faster than small wheels. Altho', 1725 is MUCH safer, with any wheel.
Good Luck, and please be careful,
JR
There have been other threads in the past about buffing - but it bears repeating. The Buffer Is The Most Dangerous Tool In The Shop. Hukk, will you please Underline that sentence for me ?
It's not so much about the rpm, as it is about the surface speed of the wheel. Big wheels turn faster than small wheels. Altho', 1725 is MUCH safer, with any wheel.
Good Luck, and please be careful,
JR
"A knife without a blade, for which the handle is missing."
"Buy more ammo" - Johnnie Fain.
"Buy more ammo" - Johnnie Fain.
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Hukk
- Posts: 4546
- Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:04 am
Yes, go with the slower of the TWO. Keep in mind that the buffer is commonly called the most dangerous machine in the shop. I have seen pictures from full time professional knife makers with a knife sticking out of the ceiling. The wheel caught the knife and threw it. 
They were using loose muslin wheels and you have to use them for a mirror finish.
Also keep in mind that the size of the wheel determines the surface area that the knife sees. So, really you can change "wheel speed" by changing the size of the wheel. K&G has a chart on the top of page 20. Actually the RPM is measured by the working area that the piece being buffed sees.
1725 RPM wheel with 4 inch wheel is 1800 RPM.
1725 RPM wheel with 10 inch wheel is 5475 RPM. So, really you can change the speed by having a 10 inch buffer and using different wheels.
At 3450 RPM these numbers more than double and shred that loose muslin pretty quickly and is more prone to throwing a knife. Greater speed - Greater velocity!
They were using loose muslin wheels and you have to use them for a mirror finish.Also keep in mind that the size of the wheel determines the surface area that the knife sees. So, really you can change "wheel speed" by changing the size of the wheel. K&G has a chart on the top of page 20. Actually the RPM is measured by the working area that the piece being buffed sees.
1725 RPM wheel with 4 inch wheel is 1800 RPM.
1725 RPM wheel with 10 inch wheel is 5475 RPM. So, really you can change the speed by having a 10 inch buffer and using different wheels.
At 3450 RPM these numbers more than double and shred that loose muslin pretty quickly and is more prone to throwing a knife. Greater speed - Greater velocity!
Hukk