Thread: Buffer recommendations?

Originally Posted by Bruno

Just to explain this further: a cheap and low powered buffer can still grip your hand or workpiece. But instead of ripping out your thumb (someone in Traveller's workshop) or slicing off a flap of finger (was this Alex or Joe?) or throwing a knife right at the sausage and beans (I forgot his name but he was a member here) or apparently stabbing you through the heart, they will go 'clunk' and while they can still scratch you bad, they will not maim, dismember or kill you.

Read it again !!!

Razor work is all about a gentle slow approach, Pressure =Heat way more then speed,, a 1/4 hp unit that you can actually stop the wheel with too much pressure is not a bad thing at all...

To be perfectly honest, a number of simple buffing tasks like polishing up wood or Micarta scales/handles after you have sanded them to an appropriate grit can actually be done with a higher speed variable speed drill and a 4 inch wheel clamped into a vice......and it will still try to grab small parts!!!!! With that said, i would look at some of Charlie's videos. He built himself a pretty neat belt driven buffing setup. A guy that I know in Belgium uses a similar two ended one with buff wheels on one spindle and a fine Scotch guard flap wheel ion the other. For blades, he goes straight from the 400 or maybe 600 grit belt with a graphite cloth backing on the platen to the flap wheel and then the buff with white compound.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

The Foredom is small, infinitely variable and ideal for small parts (like razors). Not $39.
Foredom Buffer - Donna Kato PolyClay - Claying Tools and Accessories

Equivalent at HF is about USD $39 or less with coupon. Mine has run for three years doing some things with the shaft and some with the scratch pad at the other end/ Tapered spindles are found cheaply on line to fit it. and some two and three inch wheels are great for our use.
Bench Grinder with Flex Shaft
~Richard

Many of us have used the HF 6 in buffers for years, with 4 in wheels, mine is several years old. I do also have a 1800 rpm Baldor as well and they deliver the same performance as the HF and can be just as dangerous.

Pressure is key and thinking about what you are about to do, before you do it.

Castwell’s is where I buy quality wheels and greasless compounds for all 3 buffers. They also have a good buffing tutorial.

This is the one I use and it works super
Baldor 1/4HP 1800 RPM Buffer 115 VAC/60Hz - Buffing Machines - Buffing/Polishing - Caswell Inc

You may need all the wheel sizes 3",4",6", rarely 8" for the greaseless compounds.

Incident free operation one can achieve by paying attention to pressure applied with the blade to the wheel, too much and the razor will fly.

Another factor in reducing the risk of a buffer related accident is where you buff on the wheel (lower half) and what is behind and under the machine. I recall that Ed Fowler covers the floor under his buffer with his old grinding belts to reduce the chance of a blade that gets loose bouncing up. I have also seen guys built guards from plywood, etc.

Originally Posted by mainaman

This is the one I use and it works super
Baldor 1/4HP 1800 RPM Buffer 115 VAC/60Hz - Buffing Machines - Buffing/Polishing - Caswell Inc

You may need all the wheel sizes 3",4",6", rarely 8" for the greaseless compounds.

Incident free operation one can achieve by paying attention to pressure applied with the blade to the wheel, too much and the razor will fly.

The Baldors are top of the heap, but as you can see, there is a pretty significant sticker shock involved even with the smallest ones. I have the 1 HP version of that 1750 RPM machine and it cost more than that 7 years ago!!!!!
Edit. Someone posted a question asking about a Caswell buffing kit which comes with a 3/4 hp low speed 1100 RPM buffer, wheels, compounds bars and accessories for $299. that might be worth a look.

One of the Old Timers uses a quilted moving blanket behind and below his buffer! Good idea and would be a real benefit at clean up! Remove it and fold all the crud inside.
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

One of the Old Timers uses a quilted moving blanket behind and below his buffer! Good idea and would be a real benefit at clean up! Remove it and fold all the crud inside.
~Richard

I use painter's tarp, all the junk folds nicely in and is easy to dispose of.

Originally Posted by Geezer

One of the Old Timers uses a quilted moving blanket behind and below his buffer! Good idea and would be a real benefit at clean up! Remove it and fold all the crud inside.
~Richard

I do the same thing with a large thick piece of cardboard, creased and folded to fit the corners, below and behind the buffer about 30 inches high

When not in use fold it up and slides behind the tool boxes.