Stewart Macdonald Buffer Arbor as Shop Buffer/Grinder?

[antman213]

Anyone have any experience with Stewmac Buffer Arbors? I picked up a 27" model with 3/4" shaft and I don't use or have a guitar. I would like to use this as a shop buffer or maybe even for scotch brite discs or wire wheels.

Is there any reason not to use wire wheels or light abrasives on a guitar buffer like this?

Picture below is the same model but I don't have a motor for mine yet.

 

[RTM]

My fear would be you might lean into it too hard as a grinder or wire wheel. With those huge unsupported shafts, you might thrash the pillow blocks. Buffing seems a bit more forgiving.

 

[jbfsr]

Put this together 15 years ago. I used a 1hp motor I had laying around. I use it a lot. I rebuilt a couple of WW 2 generators. Used it for cleaning parts of crud and rust. Works GREAT on hardware. Much better than bench grinder with wire brush. Added the wide abrasive disk for cleaning old American Flyer train tracks. Does an amazing job quickly. Watch what you wear when using it, nothing loose.

 

[seber]

Under no circumstances should you put an abrasive wheel on that. Any imbalance or flex with such a long stick out could quickly become disastrous. I personally would not put a wire wheel on it but at least that would not fly apart if you push too hard. I might put a flap wheel on it. Honestly, if I were going to modify it, the first thing I would do is shorten the shafts.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

That would be so dang useful for me. I run 3M Scotch Bristle Discs (but I would run a wire wheel or flap wheel as well)....but as others said, no abrasive wheel.

Those long shafts would allow your work piece to clear....which I have trouble with even with a big 8" Baldor Buffer....I would not shorten the shafts. But just let the wheel do the work, no reason to lean into it like a madman.

 

[antman213]

Good points, I will likely just use it for buffing and 3m or wire wheeling. Main reason I liked the idea was the clearance compared to my bench grinders.

jbfsr, do you have to dissasemble the shaft/housing to change belts? Looking at mine there are pulleys but not sure how I'd get a belt over them, might end up getting a link belt.

 

[jbfsr]

Yes, but just once. The pulley on mine has about 3-4 different sizes on the one pulley for speeds. The large open space around the wire and cleaning wheels make this great for large or odd shape pieces.

 

[RTM]

. The large open space around the wire and cleaning wheels make this great for large or odd shape pieces.

That would be a huge draw for that thing. I have my 3m wheel on a shaft maybe 3 inches from the motor, and I am always doing contortionist moved to polish big stuff