Buffer Speed

[cajun]

Hello everyone. I am brand new to knife making. In fact I am just starting to buy the equipment. I do not plan on selling knives. I am just doing this as a hobby since I have retired. I have been told by people at a local knifemaking supply house that I will need a buffer. I noticed the main buffer sold is a Baldor and it comes in 2 speeds, 1800 and 3600 rpm. My questions are:
1. Which speed should I buy?
2. What HP should I buy?
3. Why does it come in 2 speeds?
4. What is the purpose of each of the speeds?
5. Is there another buffer that I should consider?

Thanks

[John R. Fraps]

Welcome Cajun,

Just my opinion, but I respect the quality of Baldor motors alot.
I have only 1800 rpm machines with stiched and loosebuffs, scotchbrite wheels, hard and soft wool wheels.
Which do I use most, the hard stiched buff with green chrome rouge and the loose buff with pink compound.

I found that the slower speed (1800) with even a 6 inch wheel is still moving at 2700 surface feet per minute at 1800 rpm.....thats 30+/- mph...still fast enough to overheat many handle materials and fast enough to grab and throw a piece of steel very rapidly.

While I have 3/4 hp with 10 inch wheels, I use my 1/4 hp buffers more and they are plenty powerful enough for 6-8 inch wheels.

By the way before you buy the buffer, you might decide on a 2x72" belt grinder, what size wheel on it (alot use 8", I like 10", a number like 14", I know one fellow who has a 20"or 22" wheel setup)....all my grinders either came with or I converted them to Variable Speed....and seldom run over 1000
rpm at the most....

There is no "right for everyone" setup.....each piece of equipment is chosen by each maker to meet his/her needs....often influenced by another maker who shares time and information. Before you buy any equipment, pick up a copy of KNIVES 2007.... and also check out the Member List on this Guild website, look up a maker near your location and give 'em a call.
ask to visit his/her shop and look at equipment, and take a list of questions.
I don't know your location, but I'm in Indianapolis.....There are a niumber of Guild members in many of the states....
Whether you make knives for fun or turn it into a business, gotta warn you, it can become addicting.....but enjoyable!