Drill Buffing Question HELP

[branzig]

Ok guys, I need a little guidance here.
I have a 4 inch soft buffing wheel, an arbor adapter and 3 drills. I am looking to shine up my pipes with some carnauba wax.
I have a single speed Black and Decker that I would really like to use as my buffing drill, but the speed is 2500 RPM and I fear that may be too quick...think this will work?
My other 2 drills are impact drivers and I don't have a impact adapter to take on a standard drill chuck and don't feel like spending 30 bucks to get one...I can get a whole new corded drill for that.
So am I hosed? Just get a new drill or the impact adapter? Or will my 2500 RPM drill work ok?

 

[tuold]

I would think you would have to have a very light handed approach to make 2500 RPM work. I just bought a variable speed corded drill for this very purpose and it's been working very well for me. In RPM it ranges from 0-2700. At the high end the buffer pad throws a lot fibers and compound. It's pretty easy to snag the pipe and have it hurled across the room at those high speeds. That's just my experience. Other's may vary.

 

[branzig]

Hmmm
I wonder if they make an arbor adapter for an impact driver...
Also I just have some unused DICO soft buffing wheels...those should work right? :lol:

 

[tuold]

Here's the one I use. Works great and not too expensive:
RIDGID 3/8 in. Corded Drill/Driver

 

[branzig]

I can get the impact driver chuck for only 30 bucks...and my impact driver has multi speeds.
So I dont want a new drill. Maybe I will just get a polishing cloth haha

 

[ejames]

If you're just going to be waxing I'd think the drill you have would work fine. It would even work for buffing(with a compound)--as long as you use a light touch and patience.

 

[branzig]

Yeah I plan on just waxing...I have the carnauba wax on the way already...so I guess I will just give it a go!
I just hope the wheel I have works haha. It's just a DICO soft buffing wheel.

 

[nsfisher]

I just use a rag and hand buff.

 

[ssjones]

Find an older, used 1725 motor (mine is an old Furnace motor). A pad adapter/arbor is available from Jestco for about 15 bucks. I started with a drill, mounted in a bench vise. 2500 rpm isn't too bad, just be careful, particularly with the more aggressive compounds.

 

[branzig]

I don't plan on using any compounds. I hand do all my stems and I am only looking to carnauba wax my briars.
Where should I look for one of these fabled 1725 RPM motors? This isn't the first time I have seen them brought up.

 

[ssjones]

For just carnuba wax, your drill cant do any damage. If you want a motor, Craigslist is the best place. Or, call your local electric motor repair (even smaller towns have one). That is a pretty commonly used motor. Of course there is always Ebay.

 

[branzig]

Cool, thanks for the tips ssjones!
I will hit up craigslist and just go with the drill I have for now I suppose!
Any tips on what kind of buffer wheels to use?

 

[ssjones]

www.jestcoproducts.com has the best prices on pads.

For Carnuba wax, I use a loose (unsewn) cotton wheel.

For white diamond or tripolie (rarely used), I go with sewn cotton wheels.

If you are patient on Craigslist, motors do turn up with some frequency. Old washing machine motors are also great. i see a bunch of those at our county dump. That reminds me to pull one the next time I go. Usually with washers, it is the transmission that goes.

 

[branzig]

Awesome! Thanks for the guidance ssjones!
Your wealth of knowledge has been very helpful to me and I am not nearly as scared as I was!
Matter of fact I just pulled the trigger on buying a 2oz brick of carnauba! So I am all in now!
Again, a thousand thanks! :puffpipe:

 

[ssjones]

I'm glad to help. That carnuba wax will last a long time.