Official Luthiers Forum!

Well, I think I've buffed my last guitar with the auto orbital buffer I've got. I've been using it for several years (7 guitars) and I'm tired of the shortcomings (read, user error).

On the last, I was buffing the back, not realizing that a pebble of dried compound was under the top - even with the nice soft towel I had "pretecting" the top, I've got a nice divot in the top as a result of the vibration and pressure of the orbital buffer.

How do you all buff? Where is your buffing arbor, and how's it set up? I've read that they are messy, with lots of dust from the process. Different room from your woodworking?

Thanks.

I use the set up from Shop Fox. I also run it with a 1/4 hp motor , that is all you really need. The nice thing is that if you hang on to the guitar , you won't have it ripped out of your hands and tossed . That hurts big time. I have seen it happen and it gets real ugly .
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Buffing-Assembly/H3559
I use the heavier buffing wheels that they have . I use a 14 and an 18. That is all that I use and I did have to make a bushing for the arbor. A Schedule 40 3/4 in pipe works for that

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Hi Corky
I've just got the Stewmac buffing kit and I love it.
I made a plywood base for the arbor and motor as recommended and attached it to my drill press table with a simple bolt. The drill press is itself bolted to the floor so there is no vibration movement at all.
I have a small machine shop which is separate to my workshop. That was lucky You wouldn't believe the dust which comes off the buffing wheels - I guess that'll get better with more use . I make sure I use a respirator mask as well.
The Stewmac kit was really expensive shipping to the UK but it was absolutely the best purchase I have made regards guitar building. It is really easy to use and provides excellent results. I have no knowledge of any other set up but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Stewmac kit.
Mat

This is the only picture I've got of mine. It's a Caswell 1100 RPM 3/4 HP.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

homemade ... 16 bucks for the two bearings, motor was free from a bud, 1/5 hp, adn abotu ten bucks worht of wood. Another buddy turned the ends of the rod down so I could 1/2-13 tap them .... then nylon lock nuts, 1/4 ply wooden buff flanges ... about as cheap as they come ... those are 8 inch buffs, but a couple years back I went to the SM 12s ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Here's my homemade buffer.



Shaft is 1" dia. x 54" long. The ends are threaded for LH and RH nuts.Three 14" flannel buffing wheels on each end with 1/2" plywood spacers between them. 1/2 HP motor @ 1725 RPM is reduced to about 735 RPM @ the shaft. The whole setup cost nearly the same to build as the new StewMac, but the the clearance is phenomenal. I built the base out of 2 layers of 3/4" plywood so it would nestle in the frame at the end of my thickness sander.

Mark

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A world without music would Bb.

So Mark, is that a Go Kart axle?

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

My setup is simple as well. Since I require four wheels to get the results that I am after, I use two of the caswell machines and they have served me well for the last three years. Lots of padding and no hard edges!

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jw ( o)===:::

Hey Joe, what kind of buffs do you use?

Yes, please do tell. I have one of those machines but the wheels must be the wrong type as all I can do is fine buffing. Could you let us know size/style or a part number? It would be very appreciated...

You have all been treated to a rare photo of Joe's "Cave" hidden deep in the bowels of his Skunk Works!

Mike Franks
www.mjfranksguitar.com

Only when the wheels grab one of Mikes Brazilian style 45 OM's and throws it across the floor.


As for the wheels, I am running 16x5x3/4 16 ply #2 60/60 cotton wheels on the heavy cut machine. Two wheels per side.

On the fine cut machine, I run 16x5x3/4 12 ply #2 Domet wheels, two per side.

You will need six inch flanges to safely run these wheels since the center hubs are five inch.

My wheels can be found at Menzerna USA also known as Jescar. Ask for Jeff Silver. He can be a bit grumpy and almost impatient at times but the dude knows his stuff about guitar buffing.

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jw ( o)===:::

Thanks, all for the great input and pictures of your setups.

(And thanks, John, for the reminder on not having the buffer become a "Git-apult". I guess there are risks to all these processes. I sure don't want to spend months on a guitar, then have it be made into kindling while buffing)

Joe, nice setup! You make us all jealous.
Have you ever considered being a professional instrument finisher?
Best regards
Nelson

When I worked at Washburn I saw this happen to a few guys and I always thought, "huh, they just need to be more careful." so one day I'm buffing a solid body electric guitar, heavy like a les paul, and the machine ripped the guitar out of my hands and threw it, full force, right at my big toe! I don't even know how it happened, it went so quick. I recommend avoiding doing that if at all possible! fortunately it was the only accident i was involved in while working at that factory.

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"...you have to get over your strict adherence to your largely imagined notion of absolute perfection..."

Joe,
Thanks for the info!

A note for everyone. I don't think 16" wheels on a 1100 RPM machine are a good idea with anything except a Polyester finish, and a bunch of experience.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

What are you trying to say????

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Man! I thought by now Rod True would post a pic of his hand! (his buff setup)

Steve,

It started out as a piece of cold rolled steel. The machining turned out to be the biggest expense.
If I was doing it again, I'd either go with 7/8" dia. or 1-1/4" dia. All the flanges I saw for vented wheels were these two sizes.

Mark

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A world without music would Bb.