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SPEC Machines™
Industrial
"Hand Held" Surface Polishing/Buffing Equipment.
(Manufactured since 1996)
"DRUM TYPE" Polishers
have been developed to RAPIDLY "deep clean" &
polish, plus, provide a "consistent" finish,
on very large surfaces.
The "DRUM" type polishing
machines do not completely replace, "circular" type
polishers, but greatly augment any polishing / cleaning process,
specifically on large surfaces. "Drum" type polishers,
used with proper techniques & polishing products, will allow
for a far more efficient, consistent and longer lasting finish,
on a wide variety of surfaces, (painted, bare metal, aluminium,
composite, plastic, acrylic, Plexiglas™, Lexan™, etc.,).
The most notable benefits of utilizing "DRUM" type polishers
is a greatly reduced labour time, (approximately 1/3rd that of
circular polishers. ie: a DeHavilland Dash 8 - 78 man hours with
circular polishers verses 22 man hours with Drum type
polishers), with improved safety, to not only the operators, but
to the work surface itself. The SPEC Machines™ "Drum"
type polishers are indeed, the most advanced, reliable, versatile
and largest, industrial "hand held" surface polishing
machines, available on the market today.
"DRUM TYPE" polishers are intended for, and
work best for, finishing and general "routine" maintenance
on large surfaces. They do not work well for corrosion
or material removal, unless used with the SPEC "SD"
drum, with speciality abrasive brushes, (available from the 3M™
Company). Contact us for more information on this subject.
The SPEC Machine model "SA and "LA"
and SPEC 1300B "Detailer" Drum polishers all require
a consistent air supply of a minimum of 30
cfm (cubic feet per minute) @ 85 - 90 psi, for maximum performance,
(full torque). A "Rotary Screw" or "Helical"
type compressor is recommended.
Our ongoing commitment
is in providing our customers with the finest products possible.
SPEC Distribution International Inc. has undertaken the task of
designing, developing & manufacturing the most advanced, reliable
& versatile, industrial, "hand held", large surface
polishing machines, available on the market today. They may look
simple, but have been designed for INDUSTRIAL use. We have taken
all the best features of current and past "DRUM" type
polishers designs and improved on them. We have designed and built
this equipment with extensive and valuable input from our customers
who specilize in the "large surface" industrial polishing
markets. These clients include: BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE Inc, LEARJET
(Div. Bombardier Aerospace), NASA's (Dryden Flight Resaerch Center),
AVIONET Inc., AERO MEXICO, LUFTHANSA TECHNIK, EXECUJET (Dubai),
FBO SKYSERVICE, INNOTEC / EXECAIRE, AIR CANADA & AIR CANADA
"JAZZ".
Features and Benefits of the
SPEC Machines™ DRUM Polishers are:
- QUIET: Most of the current air driven drum polishers
that operate in the over 1 hp range, produce motor noise levels,
at or above, 95 decibels (a Boeing 747 is about 145 decibels
on take off). SPEC Machines™, have been designed
& tested to operate, at full throttle ("free"),
below 75 decibels at a distance of 1.5 meters, (4ft).
This is a huge plus, in not only reducing overall fatigue for
the operator, but for those working on other tasks, in the same
area.
- For comparison : Common
noise levels in decibels (db), (Increasing
in loudness):
Normal conversation -50-60 db
- A SPEC "LA" or "SA"
DRUM Polisher @ full throttle < 75 db
A loud radio -65-75 db
A busy street -78-85 db
A heavy truck about 7 metres (23 ft) away -95-100 db
A pighouse at feeding time -110 db
A chain saw -115-120 db
A jet aircraft taking off 25 metres (82 ft) away ->140 db
- VERSATILE: Interchangeble configurations. SPEC
Machines™ are easily changed in configuration, simply
using a standard 1/4" Allen type key. The air motor or "heart"
of the machine can be attached to any one of the three
drum sizes/type with one, 1/4" Grade 8, Allen bolt. The
drum/motor assembly can be attatched to either of the two
types of handles. The control handle is adjustable to assure
full, safe and accurate operator control of the tool, regardless
of the type of operation, all with a 1/4" Allen key.
- SIMPLE: SPEC Machines™ utilize "standard"
parts. For instance, replacement air motor blades for the Atlas
Copco™ air motor are available WORLD WIDE, through any Atlas
Copco™ dealer or representitive. All the bearings we use
are "standard "and available from any reputable bearing
supplier.
- POWERFUL: SPEC Machines™ use exclusively,
an Atlas Copco™ "LZB" industrial air motor with
"sealed & isolated" double gear reduction
units, producing 2 hp @ 2100 rpm and 5.5 ft/lbs of torque, (at
the DRUM) with an air consumption of 35 cfm @ 91 psi.. Important
to note: Similar units, available on the market, operate in the
over 3000 RPM range and at lower torque outputs. The lower rpm
(2100 rpm)with higher torque output SPEC Machines units, allow
for far less stress on the polishing pads and parts, and allow
more forgiving and exacting operator control.
- INDUSTRIAL DEPENDABILITY: SPEC Machines™
use Torington®, RHP™ or SKF™ Brand, Heavy Duty,
industrial "roller type" main bearing. The main bearing,
rides on a, hardened "tool steel" race affixed to the
air motor. Aside from an occasional light grease application,
these bearings are maintainence free and extremely durable. They
are completely isolated from any air flow, entering or exhausting
the air motor, eliminating bearing contamination. The
DHW® Composite drums (4" and 5" X 7") are
capable of absorbing an incredible amount of force from a direct
impact, ie: accidental dropping of the unit or hitting the edge
or corner of a steel work table, remaining ROUND and TRUE, for
vibration free performance. (Aluminium drums can easily come
out of balance producing vibrations at high speed that is damaging
to the equipment, produces fatigue and difficulty for the operator,
plus an un- even finish on the surface. (Those "Vibration
Marks" WILL show on the finished surface).
- SAFE: Operator saftey is of prime concern. The manner
in which "DRUM" type polishers operate, allow the operator
to work in a "natural "standing position, controlling
only the rate at which the machine moves away from the
operator, across the surface. Circular polishing on large surfaces,
require unnatural operator "twisting", resulting in
potential back strain and loss of tool control.
- All SPEC Machines™ units come with a complete
1 year warranty on all parts, (except air muffler
& air motor blades.) Any warranty repair or replacement
of parts shall be done at NO CHARGE within the warranty period.
Subsequent suggested annual inspection & or tune up's - Customer
is charged for parts only, no labour charges will be applied
for life of equipment, (as long as customer is original owner
of equipment.) With a clean, dry air supply, we are seeing between
2 &3,000 hrs TBO, (Time Before Overhaul), ("Overhaul",
being an Atlas Copco™ "Service Kit (Part# AC-SK) @
$110.00 US).
Proudly Designed, Engineered &
Built in Quebec, CANADA. 
since 1996
The pictures above & below, show the SPEC Machines™
Model "SA" in a few of it's interchangeable configurations.
Above, is with a 4"X7" Cotton Finishing pad on the DHW™
4" X 7" (#SPEC47) Composite drum. With a simple
standard 1/4" allen key and one 1/4 Grade 8 Allen bolt, the
Model "SA" can be converted to either of the
configurations below, shown with the specially designed drum (#SPEC37)
that will accept either a 4"(shown below on left) or 6"
wide X 8" diameter, 3M™ Scotchbrite® drum, for "SATIN"
finishes, or as in the right side, using the same drum, it can
accept single or multiple, (stacked) standard 1/2"wide X
8" Diameter polishing wheels, (available in many types &
varieties) for tool mark repair, heavy material suface alteration
or "texturing" etc.
The upper control handle is fully adjustable, (using
the same standard 1/4" allen key) to assure proper and safe
operator control, "over center" for exact control. Also
can be re-configured easily, for "Left Handed" operators.
Shown below is the SPEC Machines™
Model "LA" with the 5" X 7" drum and
SPEC57 pads. This configuration is for polishing very large
surfaces from a "stand off" distance or standing position.
For instance, aircraft fuselage sides and crowns or in the case
of the top wing surfaces, the operator can be in a comfortable
standing position, as opposed to "hunched over" when
using circular type polishers. The use of an optional 2 ft extension
allows for a greater (and safer) "reach" (see pics below).
The tool actually becomes "weightless" on fuselage sides
and crowns as it will "climb" or "walk" away
from the operator. All the operator has to do, is control the
speed or rate, of the walk or climb. The control handle (shown
in the extended position below) can be easily re-positioned for
maximim operator comfort and control.
Above: Shows production SPEC "LA"'s,
with & without 2' Extension handle (Part# SH2X) attached &
5"X7" Pads
Below: Shows the different "reach"
capabilities of the SPEC "SA" & "LA" with
an SH2X, 2' Extension handle. Note: re-positioning of the throttle
and the "control handle" on the "LA". (The
"SA", throttle & "control handle", would
be re- positioned similarly, should the SH2X be actually connected
to the "SA". The Ruler is 4'(1.25m) for scale.
The Parker
Hannifin™ "EZ-Mate" quick connect-disconnect
SAFETY throttle, (Speed Control).
Each SPEC Machines™ unit comes with a Parker
Hannifin™ "EZ-Mate" quick connect-disconnect
SAFETY throttle. This unique design allows the throttle
to be part of the air line, independent of the tool. Similar systems
require a throttle with each tool. In a scenario where you have
three types of tools but only one air line, you simply plug the
tool directly to the line and you have instant throttle control.
As an added saftey feature, the tool can only be connected
(or disconnected) with the throttle in the CLOSED position.
This prevents accidental connections to a 2 hp, open
throttled machine, spinning at 2000 +RPM. (The results can
be quite exciting.Trust me, I know!) The "EZ-Mate"
has venting ports, that "exhaust" down stream air to
atmosphere, so disconnect is at ZERO pressure, thereby eliminating
dangerous "HOSE WHIP". The "EZ-Mate"
is not only safe but allows the operator "precision"
speed control of the tool.
Below demonstrates the "Safe Reach
Capabilities" of the SPEC Machines™ "DRUM"
type polishing machines (with & without SH2X, 2' Extension
handle).
The picture on the top left is of the horizontal tail
on a DeHavilland "DASH 8". It is approximately 30 ft
(15 meters) high and you can only get the lift so close to your
work. The center picture demonstrates the "reach" of
a SPEC Machine™ in a rather tight area for a scissor truck
or similar. The picture on the far right shows a polishing operation
on a wide body AIRBUS A330-300 using one of the drum buffers with
2, 2 ft (61 cm) extension handles attatched. This truly demonstrates
the safe "reach capability" of the SPEC Machines™
polishers. Try maneuvering a lift between the fuselage and engine
nacelle without sweating about hitting the aircraft. Accomplishing
these jobs, with anything less than a "DRUM" type polisher,
with a 2 ft (61 cm) extension handle(s) installed, is not only
almost impossible, but downright dangerous. The less you have
to maneuver a lift, around & next to, the aircraft, the less
chance for "an accident". The job becomes quicker &
more importantly, far safer, for all concerned.
Above: "Drum" Type Buffer in use for
paint polishing on a deHavilland TWIN OTTER. Note: Difference
on polished sections of paint.
Below:
"DRUM" type polishers in use:
Leading edge polishing
Paint
Polishing
Plexiglas™
Polishing
"Stand Up"
deep clean / polishing operations on a BOMBARDIER Aerospace, Challenger
700
Above: Paint "rejuvenation" deep clean
/ polish on an AIRBUS A330-300
Below: Some delicate "Warbird" restoration
work.
A
B
C
D
Note the above sequence, from top right, clockwise.
As the drum buffer is pulled down, (the "cut" stroke),
the polish is applied and leaves a black residue. As the buffer
moves back up, (the "color" stroke), pict B & C,
the black residue dissapears, resulting in a highly polished finish,
without the conventional "wipe out" step, common with
circular polishers.
The aircraft shown is a 1940's North American T-6 "TEXAN"
belonging to the Canadian Warplane Heritage in Mt. Hope, Ontario.
The polishing is by SKYWAVE Polishing of Toronto. The polish used
is ROLITE™ "AP-300"
On the right: One pass (cut & color) with a "DRUM"
type polisher. What is rather interesting about this series of
pictures, is; note the sticker and the yellow painted tip. No
damage to each. This truly attests to how safe "DRUM"
type of polishing is, to any given surface.
Above: Engine inlet rings. A proper
polishing not only looks attractive, but allows for proper
and effecient airflow and eliminates the onset of corrosion.
Below
we find some difficult work at best. The alloy involved, by design,
has to withstand extremely high temperatures and thererefore is
very difficult to bring to a bright finish. That being said, the
right products, equipment and techniques were able to acomplish
the task.
Below:
An example of what can be accomplished with the proper polish,
equipment and techniques.
To see the SPEC Machines™ "Detailer",
a smaller "mini" drum type polisher for smaller parts
/ areas, click here.
For more information on your specific needs and on
"DRUM" Type Surface Polishing Technology, please
E-Mail us
at your convenience.
(Please put: SPEC Machine Information Request,
in the subject line.
It helps weed out the TONS of spam we get.)
or, telephone (450) 458-2304 (Eastern Standard Time) - Fax# (450)
458-0065 (Eastern Standard Time)
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