Pianotech

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!

Next tool would be a good bandsaw.  Rikon has a nice 10 or if you have space and budget a good 14 ".  Don't forget a good workbench.

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!

Parker,
Thanks, that will also eventually be a topic, along with drill presses, table saws, etc.
And yes, bench building will come first. However, my first question remains: one grinder doing double duty, or two?

Sorry about the photo--not sure why it uploaded and turned it.

Next tool would be a good bandsaw.  Rikon has a nice 10 or if you have space and budget a good 14 ".  Don't forget a good workbench.

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!

Scott,

Variable speed Is good. I wish I had a VS grinder. However two dedicated units can prove to be very handy. On my other one I have a deburring wheel which gets used for metal polishing and surface removal. Puts a really nice bright finish on screw heads, nearly indistinguishable from plated. With pressure it will remove some metal. This little unit gets used a lot. Would because pain to switch out the grinding wheel every time I wanted to do a quick polish.

My money would be on a second unit.

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Parker,
Thanks, that will also eventually be a topic, along with drill presses, table saws, etc.
And yes, bench building will come first. However, my first question remains: one grinder doing double duty, or two?

Sorry about the photo--not sure why it uploaded and turned it.

Next tool would be a good bandsaw.  Rikon has a nice 10 or if you have space and budget a good 14 ".  Don't forget a good workbench.

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!

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!