CAUT

Hi all,
The Journal is planning a series on the basics of setting up a shop. I'm hoping to get input from a wide variety of techs, as I'm sure everyone's shop looks a little different. Stay tuned.

I'd like to address one question for myself, and I'm sure others will have the same question: have you been able to get by with one machine doing both grinding and buffing? I have a tiny shop, about 9x10', so I have limited room for power tools.

 Currently, I have an 8", variable speed grinder, and I've replaced one grinding wheel with a buffing wheel. My primary tasks are buffing ivory keys and tool mods. 

Have you been able to get by with one machine, or is it a better idea to have two dedicated ones?
do you prefer one size over another-6" vs 8"? I assume a variable speed unit is preferred, at least for buffing ivory.

thanks!

Hi all,
The Journal is planning a series on the basics of setting up a shop. I'm hoping to get input from a wide variety of techs, as I'm sure everyone's shop looks a little different. Stay tuned.

I'd like to address one question for myself, and I'm sure others will have the same question: have you been able to get by with one machine doing both grinding and buffing? I have a tiny shop, about 9x10', so I have limited room for power tools.

 Currently, I have an 8", variable speed grinder, and I've replaced one grinding wheel with a buffing wheel. My primary tasks are buffing ivory keys and tool mods.

Have you been able to get by with one machine, or is it a better idea to have two dedicated ones?
do you prefer one size over another-6" vs 8"? I assume a variable speed unit is preferred, at least for buffing ivory.

thanks!

You can make a fine ivory buffing system using a 12 x 12 x 1  piece of hammer felt mounted on a block of round hardwood mounted on a shaft and driven by an old washing machine motor.  This gives you a dedicated system of the correct speed.  We had one at Steinway when I worked there.  Frank Stopa used a similar
system.

Hi all,
The Journal is planning a series on the basics of setting up a shop. I'm hoping to get input from a wide variety of techs, as I'm sure everyone's shop looks a little different. Stay tuned.

I'd like to address one question for myself, and I'm sure others will have the same question: have you been able to get by with one machine doing both grinding and buffing? I have a tiny shop, about 9x10', so I have limited room for power tools.

 Currently, I have an 8", variable speed grinder, and I've replaced one grinding wheel with a buffing wheel. My primary tasks are buffing ivory keys and tool mods.

Have you been able to get by with one machine, or is it a better idea to have two dedicated ones?
do you prefer one size over another-6" vs 8"? I assume a variable speed unit is preferred, at least for buffing ivory.

thanks!

Hi all,
The Journal is planning a series on the basics of setting up a shop. I'm hoping to get input from a wide variety of techs, as I'm sure everyone's shop looks a little different. Stay tuned.

I'd like to address one question for myself, and I'm sure others will have the same question: have you been able to get by with one machine doing both grinding and buffing? I have a tiny shop, about 9x10', so I have limited room for power tools.

 Currently, I have an 8", variable speed grinder, and I've replaced one grinding wheel with a buffing wheel. My primary tasks are buffing ivory keys and tool mods.

Have you been able to get by with one machine, or is it a better idea to have two dedicated ones?
do you prefer one size over another-6" vs 8"? I assume a variable speed unit is preferred, at least for buffing ivory.

thanks!