Sturdee
28th October 2011, 04:38 PM
There have been a few threads on buffing systems being home made mops, McJing 3 in I system and the Beall system. There has also been some comments about using 900 mm threaded rods instead of the rod that comes with the 3 in 1 systems and safety concerns of that.
For some time I have been wanting to install a proper buffing system utilizing the long narrow space under the stairs in front of the main workshop.
As we have a spare lathe, and not being aware of the McJing system, I obtained direct from Beall in the US their 3 wheel polishing kit (including the polishing bars) being 8" wheels with a 3/4 " hole designed for your own threaded rod.
So bearing in mind the posts on safety, I built my own system using a 900 mm threaded rod with the 3 Beall polishing wheels and a U beaut polishing mop.
I built a half open box which is clamped on the lathe ways similar to a banjo, installed the wheels on the threaded rod which has a MT2 machined on one end and fixed to the live centre in the tailstock with a covering sleeve and had a pillow block bearing in the middle to stop any flexing.
Photo 1 and 2 shows the left and right view of the overall system.
Photo 3 shows the rod into the headstock with the MT.
Photo 4 shows the centre pillow block bearing which stops any flexing of the rod.
Photo 5 shows the fixing to the tailstock with the wooden sleeve over the rod and the live centre.
Photo 6 shows the adjustable lamps to give great light and finally photo 7 shows the shelving for the waxes and double light switch to control the lamps.
I've used it a few times now and am extremely happy with it. The wheels are a bit further apart than the standard 3 in 1 systems and allow more room to hold items. I feel the standard system is only suitable for pen size items and not having to changeover things in the lathe for is a real bonus. Definitely worth getting a cheap extra lathe if you have the room.:2tsup:
Next to it, when I get some free time :D, I will put the other old lathe headstock with another Ubeaut polishing mop for bowl work and an old grinder set up for steel polishing to complete the setup.
Peter.
For some time I have been wanting to install a proper buffing system utilizing the long narrow space under the stairs in front of the main workshop.
As we have a spare lathe, and not being aware of the McJing system, I obtained direct from Beall in the US their 3 wheel polishing kit (including the polishing bars) being 8" wheels with a 3/4 " hole designed for your own threaded rod.
So bearing in mind the posts on safety, I built my own system using a 900 mm threaded rod with the 3 Beall polishing wheels and a U beaut polishing mop.
I built a half open box which is clamped on the lathe ways similar to a banjo, installed the wheels on the threaded rod which has a MT2 machined on one end and fixed to the live centre in the tailstock with a covering sleeve and had a pillow block bearing in the middle to stop any flexing.
Photo 1 and 2 shows the left and right view of the overall system.
Photo 3 shows the rod into the headstock with the MT.
Photo 4 shows the centre pillow block bearing which stops any flexing of the rod.
Photo 5 shows the fixing to the tailstock with the wooden sleeve over the rod and the live centre.
Photo 6 shows the adjustable lamps to give great light and finally photo 7 shows the shelving for the waxes and double light switch to control the lamps.
I've used it a few times now and am extremely happy with it. The wheels are a bit further apart than the standard 3 in 1 systems and allow more room to hold items. I feel the standard system is only suitable for pen size items and not having to changeover things in the lathe for is a real bonus. Definitely worth getting a cheap extra lathe if you have the room.:2tsup:
Next to it, when I get some free time :D, I will put the other old lathe headstock with another Ubeaut polishing mop for bowl work and an old grinder set up for steel polishing to complete the setup.
Peter.