Thread: Need advice to polish with buffer machine

I'm also thinking about buying a bench buffer, so here are some things that I am considering...
Take a tour of your local resources before buying a bench buffer. Go to your local hardware stores and see what the most common arbor size offered is.
At my local Lowes', they offer 2 sizes of shafts on their machines, 1/2" and 3/4", yet they only stock wheels with 5/8" arbors (and no adapter plates).
I've found most of my wheels at Ace Hardware and a local thrift (used) hardware shop called This and That. See what type and size of wheels are offered.
4" spiral sewn is the size your looking for, but I'm still using a couple of 6" sisal buffing wheels (less time on the wheel and watch the heat) just because of
my budget restraints. I have some 4" spiral sewn wheels that I use for my finest grits and 1 that I have dedicated as "clean" (no compound). See what kind
of compounds are offered (not all compounds will be straight razor steel friendly), do some online research to see what you will need and what you can get.
Once you know where to get your supplies, you will know more of what to look for in your buffer. I am using a converted bench grinder that has too short of
shafts and too high of rpm. I have to be very careful not to ding or burn my steel. I don't know if this will help, but happy hunting.

Sorry, forgot to add...I am currently using white polishing, CrOx (green) and jeweler's rouge (red) compounds and have found this selection to be lacking. I
will looking to add more to get the full range.