Finishing aluminum..Making your final product look great!!!!

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Because of the large custom ramps/trailers etc that we custom build we decided to buy the Walter suface sander..what a piece of machinerey..cost about 1k with machine and barrel drums in different finishes. Here is a loaner while our new one gets here...worth every penny..:even has a belt abrasive for doing handrails..cuts about 2 hours in final cleanup.  If any interest I can get you in touch with the right person..machine is about 600.00blob3: Attached Images
Reply:That is a cool tool. Mick120 uses one on some of his work. I could definately use one but the price  i'll hold off for now. Near future tho I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Mike..you can use a variable polisher disc grinder the drums will fit...for aluminum slow speed is needed..just a lil FYI.  SECRET IS SANDING ALUMINUM BEFORE PUTTING YOUR THINGS TOGETHER..WORKS WONDERS..
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120Yeah.....BUT....Mine's a more manly colour.......     ...
Reply:I bet your sorry you asked now BONEY!  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Thats it...i'm getting custom pink one..
Reply:Originally Posted by BONEYMike..you can use a variable polisher disc grinder the drums will fit...for aluminum slow speed is needed..just a lil FYI.  SECRET IS SANDING ALUMINUM BEFORE PUTTING YOUR THINGS TOGETHER..WORKS WONDERS..
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120That all in the basement mate..??????...
Reply:I made this basic bracket but didn't have an oven big enough to fit it in so I couldn't powder coat it:Nitrous Bracket Rails by Jon Kensy, on FlickrBottle Installed by Jon Kensy, on FlickrI put a brush cup in a drill press, I guess you could call it "jeweled" sort ofMiller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:"you can use a variable polisher disc grinder the drums will fit."sounds like a good idea since the $600 tool seems expensive to me. Any particular model you've used and can recommend?
Reply:also where do you get those flap wheels that are huge, they look like they are 5" wide?http://www.aaabrasives.com/products/...-copper--brassis this what you are using?Currently I am using 3m deburring wheels (2" wide with a 5" diameter) on a 6" harbor freight buffer. I have no idea what "machine" these wheels are supposed to go on, the harbor freight buffer was the only rotary machine I could find that could be modified to fit a 2" wide wheel onto. I also use walter deburing disks on an angle grinder, they are nice, but leave a lot of swirl marks.after searching for 10 minutes I found the ebay cheapo version, seems to auctin for $80 to $100 that is more in my price range, LOL.anyone use it?http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40Last edited by AluminumWelder; 02-18-2013 at 09:14 PM.Reason: found ebay item
Reply:this item's description caught my eye:Hollow-core Shaft AdapterAllows user to utilize more economical hollow-core abrasives on traditional surface finishers. Fits 3/4" dia. x 4" long shaft and 1/4" keyway(s).Part Number: 42004I should probably call them tomorrow, but does anyone know what machine this adapter goes on? It would be great to put it on a 7" polisher I already own, no need to buy more tools!
Reply:Greetings,I've never posted so I should probably introduce myself in the appropriate section first but this thread made me want to share my experiences. I use Metabo's burnishing machine for finishing and love it. Here's the kit I bought off Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Metabo-SE12-11...tabo+burnisherIt's been a great tool so far. I use it to put a mitered finish on mild and stainless steel. I find it's also great for maintaining a consistent edge profile on square tubing where the welds need to be ground down. As someone above noted (and I mentioned this in the Amazon review) the drum portion will fit a standard angle grinder/polisher so you might be able to call Metabo and order the spindle/axle along with the drums. This should save quite a bit as you won't need to buy the actual polisher. Just my 2 cents.Last edited by Cordova; 02-19-2013 at 05:00 PM.
Reply:What speed RPM do these polishers run at?Seems odd they cost $600 when you can get an angle grinder for $59
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderWhat speed RPM do these polishers run at?Seems odd they cost $600 when you can get an angle grinder for $59
Reply:this is spec from one of them15 Amp (1650 Watts) 110 Volt / 60 Hz(Also avail: 230 V / 50 Hz) Speed control dial Variable speed control from 950 to 3700 RPM with tachogenerator for constant speed, even under loadmiller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:thanks I think I will get one of these Dewalts  DWP849X for $150 that has a similar speed range and call them tomorrow and get that adapter and see how it goes. .http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=...o=55&_udhi=248
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderthanks I think I will get one of these Dewalts  DWP849X for $150 that has a similar speed range and call them tomorrow and get that adapter and see how it goes. .http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sop=...o=55&_udhi=248
Reply:Just don't scratch up the aluminum when your working with it and you can skip the entire finishing job of the project.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTJust don't scratch up the aluminum when your working with it and you can skip the entire finishing job of the project.
Reply:4" Interleaf (combi) wheel – P/N 47312 which is an 80 grit abrasive is $44Shaft Adapter – P/N 42004 which is rubber insert is $65Last part they do NOT sell but you can buy at any  national welders/air gas location Metabo Part # spindle extension kit US90357014that is a 5/8 11 female thread which screws on with a keyway.allow you to put on the shaft adapter that is soldand then put any abrasive drum.  total cost $135 for the parts.Tool must NOT spin faster than 3500rpmDO NOT put these parts ON a 11,000 rpm angel grinder, or abrasive wheel will fly apart.Given ALL that info, I think I'm just gonna buy the ebay tool which is $100 bucks and if the motor burns out I'll see if I can trasfer the parts to a polisher.
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelder4" Interleaf (combi) wheel – P/N 47312 which is an 80 grit abrasive is $44Shaft Adapter – P/N 42004 which is rubber insert is $65Last part they do NOT sell but you can buy at any  national welders/air gas location Metabo Part # spindle extension kit US90357014that is a 5/8 11 female thread which screws on with a keyway.allow you to put on the shaft adapter that is soldand then put any abrasive drum.  total cost $135 for the parts.Tool must NOT spin faster than 3500rpmDO NOT put these parts ON a 11,000 rpm angel grinder, or abrasive wheel will fly apart.Given ALL that info, I think I'm just gonna buy the ebay tool which is $100 bucks and if the motor burns out I'll see if I can trasfer the parts to a polisher.
Reply:[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEjxSmcHgzE&list=UUY_o1K20gh54eX4MErra4Ag&  index=1[/ame]Just got this today, it works great.
Reply:Thats awesome! Bro, what did you search under to find that tool?  I did a search under burnishing tool, but didn't see your unit. Could you please link me to the seller you bought from?Also, thanks for the youtube review!! It really helps out to see it in action.
Reply:NM, found it! Was under Finishing PolishingA da or random orbit sander is a good look. Couldn't see the finish look from the picture.
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Reply:mine is on the way. will review on YT as well.
Reply:Been using this cheap ebay tool for a while and it still works fine. Also if you need extra burnishing wheels you can get them from ebay/china for around $35 each.
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelderBeen using this cheap ebay tool for a while and it still works fine. Also if you need extra burnishing wheels you can get them from ebay/china for around $35 each.
Reply:the speed control on one of my units broke last week. I just took it apart and took out the speed controller so it runs at full speed. I dont' see them auctioning this tool off anymore, maybe email the company and ask for a lower price they used to sell them aroun d$100 now they wnat $220 buy it now. if you search for 5800 polisher there is one that comes with 8 wheels for $330 or so, not bad if you need that many wheels.