$5 motor question, possible buffer?

[Mr Fixit]

Hi Group,

I got a double shafted motor yesterday at a garage sale that I was thinking of using for a buffer setup. The motor is from a dual sided blower fan that was from a school heater unit called a univent so the seller said. It is 1150 rpm, and that is the question, will it work for soft pad buffing and polishing at that speed.
If not is there any way to speed it up beyond the 1150 rpm without a VFD to be used as a buffer. I plan on making pad couplers and a stand but if this won't fit the bill I will save it for another project.

Look forward to any and all comments.

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

[epicfail48]

With the right size buffing wheel there's no reason it wouldn't work, 8-10 inches would get you in the proper range. Can speed it up with a belt and pulley system for smaller buffs

[wmgeorge]

It might require a start or run capacitor if its a PSC and most are. Check the unit or motor diagram for details on the size. VFD's are for three phase motors, not single phase.

[Mr Fixit]

Yes it is a PSC motor and does have a cap on it. So is the range of RPM going to give me a polish on aluminum and maybe brass items? I figure It sounds like a go from the couple of comments.

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

[754]

Are you taking the rotor and shaft out, and cutting right and left hand threads?

[ed_h]

Polishing action depends on surface speed, not directly on rpm. Larger wheels will give a larger surface speed for a given rpm.

Ed

[wmgeorge]

Yes it is a PSC motor and does have a cap on it. So is the range of RPM going to give me a polish on aluminum and maybe brass items? I figure It sounds like a go from the couple of comments.

TX
Mr fixit for the family
Chris

I got a 1/2 inch set screw arbor someplace that adapts to a buffing wheel. My motor is a 1/4 hp 1725 rpm off a exhaust fan and it works fine.

[38_Cal]

Polishing action depends on surface speed, not directly on rpm. Larger wheels will give a larger surface speed for a given rpm.

Ed

The ability to use larger wheels will depend on the horsepower of the motor. If it's 1/3 hp or less, an 8" wheel may bog down the motor with even light pressure when polishing. I use a 3/4 hp 1750 rpm buffer with 6" to 10" wheels, stacked to give 1" or so of wheel face, usually stitched muslin wheels.

[ed_h]

The ability to use larger wheels will depend on the horsepower of the motor. If it's 1/3 hp or less, an 8" wheel may bog down the motor with even light pressure when polishing. I use a 3/4 hp 1750 rpm buffer with 6" to 10" wheels, stacked to give 1" or so of wheel face, usually stitched muslin wheels.

That's right. His 1150 rpm motor will give a little extra torque for a given hp compared to a 4 pole 1750 rpm motor, though.

Edr

[darryl]

My first thought is it may not have enough torque.

[PStechPaul]

As mentioned, you can get the same surface speed as a 4 pole motor by increasing the diameter of the buffing wheels by 30% or so. It is possible to run a single phase motor on a VFD to increase the speed, although perhaps not recommended. An automotive DC-AC inverter probably could be hacked to produce 90 Hertz for nominal 1800 RPM.

[lakeside53]

As a frame reference we have about 50 buffer/polishers for small stuff at work. They are all 1/3 to 1/2 hp 3450 rpm and run 3-6 inch attachments. I'd be more concerned about the bearings, but for $5 worth a try.

[thaiguzzi]

Anything under 3/4hp will bog down with anything remotely sized, say a m/c g/box or timing cover.
Proper polishers run 2800-300 rpm, designed for mops 8" up.
Proper industrial polishers are generally around 3hp and DO NOT SLOW DOWN....