Thread: Rand bench buffer?

There are some Rand variable speed bench buffers on ebay. Anyone know if these are worth messing with, they're in the $40-50 range with free shipping.

I'm interested as well. I've been checking those out for a while now but still debating on whether or not to go for one.

The mechanism that holds the wheels would worry me; "The pads screw directly onto the tapered, threaded mandrels (included)."

The max RPM's are 7000? That seems a bit high, no?

I can't really tell anything from the ad, other than that they appear to be really cheap.

I wouldn't be afraid of the tapered spindle. It's quite common as a quick change mechanism for the buffing wheel. Folks who use paste or wax based grits often change wheels with each grit change. The wheels have a hardened center (glue) around the hole and it only travels so far up the tapered wheel then stops.

7000 rpm is a bit high, but if its a true variable speed that could be handy. The problem with the small units is that you're going to lose torque as rpms are turned down.

I didn't pay much attention to the wheel mounting on this unit, however in buffing razors where your using several different grit compounds would this be a bad thing? I'm just trying to find an economical way to get into the buffer restoration, and can't afford to have more than one buffer set up at this point.

You would be better off spending your money on one from Harbor Freight, if you are looking for a budget buffer. They are 3/4 HP 3600 RPM IIRC, but if you use 4" wheels, your speed should be fine for buffing. several people use them with success. Gssixgun being one of them.