Starting out. This machine worth my time?

[rerod]

Hi. New here.

Iv always postponed my polishing projects because I knew I wanted at least 2 hp and prices were high. I just found this old relic and hope I could get your honest opinion if its worth my time. He want 250.. Its 5 hp. 1 1/4 shafts. 220volt

Thanks

[baz]

Hi. New here.

Iv always postponed my polishing projects because I knew I wanted at least 2 hp and prices were high. I just found this old relic and hope I could get your honest opinion if its worth my time. He want 250.. Its 5 hp. 1 1/4 shafts. 220volt

Thanks

it looks quite rusted but that is cosmetic only ,
if the motor , and the bearings are good then go for it .
one of my buffers i bought used 19 years ago (was already a relic back then)and i have been using it day after day on a full time basis since then and can you believe i never had tu put a penny s worth of repair on it .
best investment i made in my life , that buffer has been bringing in money for the last 19 years.

[baz]

oh i forgot ,only downside to that buffer could be the shaft size
caswell carrys buffing wheels for up to 1 inc shafts . you will have to buy from industrial polishing suppliers

[rerod]

Thanks. Some of the best machines were the old ones. The motor is almost brand new he said.

Is that a leather belt?

Is there such thing as over kill when buying a metal Polisher? Looks like I would need a fork lift to move it.

[FigureLLC]

yeah, if it's in decent mechanical shape, that'd be a sweet machine. yes, i believe there can be overkill. but if the price is right and it does what you need it to do now, why not allow for some (in this case serious) growth? use extreme caution when using this thing, though. it WON'T stall, and i've heard people describe using 5hp machines as a little scary. i built us a 3-phase 2hp buffer, and i never want for more power with a 12"x4" buff on it. takes a lot to slow it down even with a rake.

[rerod]

but if the price is right and it does what you need it to do now, why not allow for some (in this case serious) growth? .

He wants $250 obo. New motor and runs well. My only problem is the space needed and getting it in and out of my truck. That thing has got to weigh 500 lbs.

Where would I buy the buffing disks with 1 1/4" hole?

[Rasper]

Those old machines are great.

Go to McMaster-Carr

They sell flat belts as well. Or you can make one yourself.

McMaster-Carr

Turn it kind of slow as those 1 and 1/4 hole buffs are ten inches and more in diameter. If you need to re-pour the babbit bearings, they sell babbit metal too. Lindsay has a good booklet on the complete how to by the Gingery family

Lindsay's Technical Books

I am getting ready to pour the bearings in two old cast iron machines I bought for five dollars each, one will be a grinder and the other a polisher. I poured the cutter bearings in a 26 inch planer years ago. Talk about heavy. That was back when I ran a wooden shipyard. I had the best planer in town. I ran it with a 1953 Plymouth engine. It would take a quarter inch off off 20 inch wide white oak flitch in a single pass.

R

[baz]

like figurre llc wrote , be careful with those big buffers they can be dangeous .
i have three large buffers in the 3 and 4 hp range no belts direct drive . one of them running with 14 inch wheels . those monsters can turn any piece of metal into a deadly flying objects faster than you can think .

as for the 1 1/4 inch shaft buffing wheels they are standard sizes in the polishing industry .
jackson lea products is one example , if they don t have a location in your area they probably could refer you to one of their distributor in your area
http://www.jacksonlea.com/