Budget Buffer Motor Replacement

Jewelry Discussion
1

The other day my buffer motor went up in a cloud of smoke and it
couldn’t have happened at a worse time for the checking account.
Checking the usual suppliers a new motor was going to cost me
$100-$300 plus shipping. A friend recommended looking at Harbor
Freight for grinders as they had a sale going on. Long story short I
got 1/2 HP 3450 RPM grinder for $26 on sale. It took me 15 minutes to
strip off the gaurds and grinding wheels and mounting the tapered
spindles. Another 15 minutes to mount the new motor and wire it into
my buffing dust collecting cabinet and I was back in business.

My old motor was 1/3 HP so I’ve upgraded to 1/2 HP and a smoother
running, sealed motor. I thing lint and polishing compound did my
old motor in because it was vented on both ends with a fan drawing
air in. I’m not expecting this motor to last me a lifetime but for
$26 it was a good replacement. One might think of buying a grinder
at Harbor Freight just to keep for backup and for those on a budget
it makes a pretty good buffer.

Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
Colorado Springs, Colorado
http://home.covad.net/~rcopeland/

2 
I think lint and polishing compound did my old motor in because it
was vented on both ends with a fan drawing air in.  I'm not
expecting this motor to last me a lifetime but for $26 it was a
good replacement.

I agree, Rick. I’ve had my Buffalo bench grinder for years (light
use). Some years ago, it stopped working right, so (with some
effort) I took it apart and cleaned out the lint and polishing
compound. It’s still working fine.

Judy Bjorkman