Baldor Buffer 333B Attachment - What is it?

[83glt]

I just picked up this Baldor model 333B buffer yesterday from a local pawnshop. One spindle has a grinding wheel on it, the other spindle has about an 8" extension on it secured by 2 set screws with an adapter and pointed rasp on the end. I'm not familiar with buffing/grinding (this is my first unit) and have no idea what this long extension/attachment is for. I can tell that the unit has been used for buffing as the 2 set screws had hardened polish in them and were hard to remove. Once I did get them out, I was not to able remove the extension. In fact it wouldn't budge at all. Anyone have thoughts on how I can remove it? Thanks -

 

[exmaxima1]

One spindle has a grinding wheel on it, the other spindle has about an 8" extension on it secured by 2 set screws with an adapter and pointed rasp on the end. I'm not familiar with buffing/grinding (this is my first unit) and have no idea what this long extension/attachment is for.

If the "rasp" has a thread on it, it may be for use with jeweler's buffing wheels. They attach by screwing them onto the tapered tip.

 

[83glt]

Thanks for the reply. No threads on the outside. It has the same surface as a rasp and it looks like it's for abrading material. But I haven't a clue.

 

[Carla]

Its easy enough to tell that your buffer was owned by someone who was either a high-order professional in the polishing trade, or a seriously capable amateur.

The use of a 'tapered thread buffing spindle is commonly found on much smaller buffing motors. Its purpose is to allow 'quick change' of fabric buffing wheels, most commonly cotton.

That 'shaft extension' may or may not be an original optional Baldor part.

I would tend to suspect that it would have been shop-made, to allow the use of 'goblet buffs' in the interior configuration of a workpiece.

My first thought would be that you have a very desirable tool, expensive to replicate, and, should you not have need for that capability, there will be someone who has such a need, would be very willing to trade you a 'standard configuration' buffer....plus a little $... for yours.

If its what I think it may be, it could be quite difficult to remove. Its quite probable that the shaft extension is internally tapped 3/4-10 to match the original spindle. It may or may not have been assembled with Loctite in the threads.

If you wish to try to remove it, you must.....in my opinion, anyway......be very careful to avoid damage, as it may be very well adhered to the original spindle.

You might try by making up special 'wrenches', blocks of a good hardwood, such as hard maple, bored to the spindle size, and split, with a 'clearance' of 1/16 to 1/8" then cut down on one of the blocks. The blocks should be drilled for clamping with suitable bolts, with a long steel flat-bar handle, in such a way that the blocks will clamp firmly to the spindle on one side, and the spindle extension on the other, and the handle will provide leverage. (this is analogous to removing a rifle barrel from its action without scarring it)

You may need to warm the spindle extension to remove it. If you do this, take great care to warm it uniformly around the periphery of the extension, to avoid warpage.

cheers

Carla

 

[83glt]

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. Well I certainly don't want to mess with something that isn't useful to me but is to someone else. Maybe I'm better off throwing it up on craigslist then. It's an impressive machine and would come in handy, but I would happily take a trade for a "traditional" set up as that's what I am looking for. I just happened upon it and couldn't pass it up.
Thanks again. I'll probably leave it as is then.

 

[DocsMachine]

If the top is an actual rotary file, presumably there's a setscrew or some other means to remove and replace it.

I haven't seen such a thing myself, but I'll guess that, if it's a rasp/rotary file, the previous owner used it for wood carving. In this case, instead of taking the tool to the part, you applied the part to the tool. If you'd ever seen "copper wheel" glass engraving, you'd get the idea.

I concur with Carla- sounds like the extension was probably adhered/loctited in place. From her description, I can only add one thing- the buffers use a LH thread on one side, and a RH thread on the other. That should be on the RH side, but it's worth double-checking.

Doc.

 

[exmaxima1]

If its what I think it may be, it could be quite difficult to remove. Its quite probable that the shaft extension is internally tapped 3/4-10 to match the original spindle. It may or may not have been assembled with Loctite in the threads.

OP says it is secured with 2 setscrews. It just may be a tight fit.

 

[83glt]

I can take some close up pics. The rasp attachment is attached to its own threaded adapter which is removable, so I'm assuming the original owner had any number of attachments for various uses.

 

[83glt]

I'm sorry, I forgot, and should have added that in addition to the 2 set screws, there is a guide pin on the arbor and a matching slot on the extension. So it appears that it is supposed to slide on and off - or at least wiggle. I completely forgot about that. I'll get some additional pics to clarify.

 

[exmaxima1]

I can take some close up pics. The rasp attachment is attached to its own threaded adapter which is removable, so I'm assuming the original owner had any number of attachments for various uses.

There might be a collet holding the rasp bit. That would be a quality extension

 

[Carla]

I'm sorry, I forgot, and should have added that in addition to the 2 set screws, there is a guide pin on the arbor and a matching slot on the extension. So it appears that it is supposed to slide on and off - or at least wiggle. I completely forgot about that. I'll get some additional pics to clarify.

Aha.......on closer look at the photo, I shall have to confess myself mistaken, and 'stand corrected'.

The cross-pin in the spindle is the Baldor works' system for driving the inner flange on their grinders and buffers, at least on some models, and its use on that extension spindle would establish that the extension is not internally threaded for the buffer spindle.

On a closer look at the photo, it does appear to have a carving cutter, which is a very specialised woodworking tool, used for 'machine carving' of decorative shapes in wood.

Mea culpa, and all that, I simply 'jumped to a conclusion', having seen similar extension spindles with the taper thread for fabric buffs.

(this relates to a very specialised woodworking skill, and, so the story goes, a very dangerous one, having one's hands near a sharp revolving cutter. I'd not have the nerve to try such work, myself, as one slip in handling the work could have serious consequences.)

You have an even more uncommon tool, which should be ever so desirable for a woodworker brave enough to use it.

cheers

Carla

 

[jakemac]

I had an arbor adaptor stuck on a shaft that wouldn't come off because of some scaring on the shaft from the set screws. I ended up making an adaptor and used a slide hammer puller to get it off.

Maybe you could clamp some wood to the cutter arm and use a slide hammer to pull it off.

 

[drivesitfar]

83: can you take more pictures and close ups of the cutting tool and the set screws? i'm guessing if the guys (and gals) on GJ don't know exactly what the tool is after you post a few more pictures then you'll have a hard time finding a person on Craigslist that will know.

my guess is the set screws haven't damaged the original threads because they are kept from moving by the pin that usually holds the part that holds the wheels in place.

Carla's original post saying the added on piece might have threads was a good one and Kevin54 is making those type of extensions for the Craftsman block buffers. since yours has the set screws i'm guessing it isn't threaded, but it still might take some effort to get it off.

since you have a standard Baldor 3/4 HP buffer without the extension why not keep it because it sounds like you can use one and put the extension after you get it off on our favorite auction site to get a few bucks to buy some nice buffer wheels and compounds for it?

 

[83glt]

Ok, so here are some close-up photos of the extension/set screws/adapter with cutting tool:








A couple things I noticed - the cutter doesn't have saw dust in it that you would think might be present from cutting wood. Rather, it's a hardened white residue. What might that be?

Also, the extension narrows to 1/2 threads that the cutter/adapter screw on to. Is this extension a Baldor part, or are folks still thinking this was machined? Are there other accessory bits that one can find with 1/2 thread to match this set up for various uses?

I'm pretty sure I saw red loc tite residue when the set screws were removed. And the extension isn't going anywhere without some heat.

I threw it up on CL and had a few responses already. But the more I think about it the more I want to keep it. This machine is f@#@ing awesome. I can't believe how smooth it is. I like the idea of using the extension for greater versatility/access to larger pieces, and just may leave it as is. As you mentioned ^ there's still the other side for normal use. Would putting a wire wheel on the extension be a really dumb thing to do - proper precautions being taken of course - as I see that side being handy for cleaning up big/long pieces like suspension parts, etc.

 

[drivesitfar]

83: i like your thinking of keeping it now that i see you have threads under the cutting tool. yes you'll have much more access to anything you want to shine or clean up with a buffing or wire wheel. remember at 3600 RPM those wire wheels can really stick in arms, eyes, skin, etc so make sure you are covered up. i hear the knotted wire wheels don't throw as much, but they seem pretty harsh for fine work.

i'd love to have an extension like that on my Baldor buffers, but it sounds like you are going to keep yours and you should. nice find and yes your Baldor buffer is a great tool.

no idea what that cutter was for so you might check ebay or one of the other forums for a match or more information.

 

[Carla]

Hmmm..........looks as tho I may have 'gotten it wrong' twice, now...... : )

Well, how about this........could that have been a special tool for deburring, or removing casting flash in the interior spaces of moderately large, odd-shaped, moulded plastic parts? Is the adherent material in the teeth consistent with having cut some variety of plastic?

If that shaft end is indeed 1/2", yes, a 6" wire wheel or fabric buff could be run on it, using the 'relieved' flange washers common to small grinders......but.....do be ever so careful, as some suppliers sell 'made in China' wire wheels, which are not only generally substandard, but run significantly out of balance.....and an out-of-balance wheel on that much extension could be seriously dangerous.

cheers

Carla

 

[83glt]

Thanks to both of you for your feedback and guidance. My first impression was that it was plastic residue. But I should look again. Wouldn't there be a risk of too much heat - i.e., melting?

Anyway, if I throw a wire wheel on there, it will be the best quality version I can find.

Thanks again.

 

[drivesitfar]

83: Another option to a buffing wheel and a wire wheel is a deburring wheel which I'm probably going to buy and put on one of my Baldor buffing arbors.

your thinking is correct that your Baldor Buffer is a hard one to match with another machine so if you have a use for it then don't sell it because you'll be kicking yourself more than once after you do and then can't find another one.