Grinder or Other?

[NMScroller]

It is time a get a grinder, but I'm not sure if that is the tool I need. What is the preferred power tool to use for a buffing wheel, pneumatic sanding drum, flap sander, etc. I know I could use a drill press, but I would like something I could put a grinding wheel as well.

Brian

[Rolf]

You can put a buffing wheel on a grinder, but it is not ideal because the grinders output shafts are too short. It would not give you much room to maneuver your project. And a buffer can’t (shouldn’t) be used to do grinding .
There are some hybrids where one side is set up for grinding and the other has a longer output shaft for buffing. I prefer to have dedicated tools. I have an 8 inch grinder set up for sharpening my turning tools and I bought a buffer for polishing metal and wood.

[thecopperfish]

There is also the consideration of speed. If using a grinder it should be a variable speed as regular grinders are too fast for some sanding tools. I use motors such as washing machine motors, that run about 1750 rpm for my sanding attachments.
Chris

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by thecopperfish

There is also the consideration of speed. If using a grinder it should be a variable speed as regular grinders are too fast for some sanding tools. I use motors such as washing machine motors, that run about 1750 rpm for my sanding attachments.
Chris

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaai Chris,
Another purveyor of fine motors
I've used washing machine motors to make almost every machine in my shed at one time or another. No washing machine was ever safe at the tip, it would be bought home, have it's heart removed and taken back next trip.

I still have a disc Sander, Drum sander, borer and wheel painting jig powered by washing machines. The table saw I made, I had for 25 years and boy oh boy did I abuse that. It cut out three kitchens plus plus plus. Only retired it last year when I bought a 10" cabinet saw with sliding table, (Heaven)

[NMScroller]

So go to the scrap yard and get a washing machine motor, mount it somehow, and wire it correctly? Do I need the on/off switch or does it have standard hot and neutral wires?

[JohnB]

G'day Brian,
Sorry, can't help you with that. Your stuff across the ditch seems to be wired differently than ours.
The problem with grinders, especially the lower priced ones is that they have a small motor and rely on the inertia of the stone to keep them going.
A drum sander or flap sander would not have the weight to create this inertia and stall.
Don't Ask me How I know this

[thecopperfish]

Most of the motors will have some kind of mounting bracket, I just screwed the bracket to a board and use C-clamps to attach it to the bench. The wiring is just standard 110 setup. You can wire a switch on it to break the hot wire or just wire a plug-in cord on it and use a power strip to turn it on and off. I have a motor set up each way. Hope this helps. I'm not a licensed electrician, use this info at your own risk :-)
Chris

[Kevin12]

I recently bought a Delta variable speed grinder that came with a buffing wheel, so I'm assuming the shaft is long enough, as Rolf mentioned. Cost about $110 if I remember correctly; (I used a couple of gift cards to pay for it.) Man, I'd love to have dedicated tools, but for right now (probably meaning the next decade), I need to multi-task my tools as much as possible. I plan to use my grinder to grind, buff, and use for my flex-sanders.

So where do you get old washing-machine motors? (Other than the DUH answer of "old washing machines". Nyuk. Nyuk.)

[thecopperfish]

Some places to look for washing machine motors are, appliance repair shops, recycling centers, 2nd hand stores or the local dump. Sometimes in our area, people will advertise old machines for free or set them out in front of their houses with free signs on them. Hope this helps.
Chris