Thread: anyone know a good yet cheat table buffer/polisher?

I went to Home Depot only to find they sell grinders and not polishers.
Then I took to ebay to find wide varieties of kinds and sizes.
My next question is how important is the horsepower since they vary from .27 to 1.3 hp?
Thanks for any advise in advance.
KC

Harbor freight buffer

get the router speed control
and you have a variable speed buffer
Its 6" but if you mount it on a base it will take 8" wheels too (it might work even with no extra elevation)

This page has plans for a good cheap buffer, down near the bottom of the page.

Charlie

I am trying to navigate through and find the compounds shown in the restore video but can't seem to find it in here. Any tips? Also, how long does one of these buffer wheels last? Should I order a couple extra while I am here along with the compound. They should be carried by them right?
Thanks again.

Introduction To Buffing and Polishing - Caswell Inc.
a lot of info including which compounds to use

+1 on what's already been suggested. I found this thread quite helpful:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...fo-thread.html

The workshop sticky has a ton of helpful links, including sites to buy materials:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html

Also check out Undream's extensive video tutorial on a complete restore. Several informative videos specifically on using a buffer:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...rt-finish.html

I just got the cheap Harbor Freight one. Practiced on it this past weekend with some old door hardware around our house, and tried one razor. The speed takes a bit getting used to and I'm looking at the variable speed controller.

Always remember to wear your safety gear! Goggles and a mask/respirator are a must.

EDIT: as far as wheels, I have two wheels for 80-grit greaseless and then one wheel for the rest of my progression: 120-, 180-, 240-, 400- and 600-grit greaseless, then black and white rouge. Got everything from Caswell online.

so you use one wheel for the really low grit and then you use one other to do the progression? I thought it was taboo to mix grits, like not wiping of your blade between different grit stones no? Do you clean them somehow between grits? OK, let me watch the videos first.
BTW, I have watched the full 12 vid series twice so far and love it!
The thing is, that is the only one I see besides Sharkeys Dremel demo.
There is so much more to cover like how to do wood scales start to finish.
Not to mention I have been trying to unpin some razors and it is not nearly as easy as it looks. Any tips?

there r so many kinds of wheels, which is best type and size for razors?
6'' seems better suited that larger and 1/2 seems a better choice than wider but I have never used on so let me know ok.
Thanks again guys. I am off to research some more.

I got a wheel for each grit. I don't think different greaseless grits should be mixed on a wheel. The compounds and rouges maybe (someone verify or correct me), but I think it's still easier to keep them on separate wheels.

I went with two 80-grit wheels based on several recommendations. That's the lowest grit and where most of the work takes place, so it'll save you some time to have a second one ready to go since the greaseless needs to set before use.

I bought all 6" sisal wheels except for one; my final polish is white compound on a 6" loose cotton wheel. Look for the posts talking about surface feet per minute (SPM) as opposed to straight RPM; a buffer with a fixed RPM can still cover a various amount of surface depending upon the size of the wheel.

Again, I've had my setup for less than a week -- just letting you know what I decided upon based on what I read from the restoration wizards.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Harbor freight buffer

get the router speed control
and you have a variable speed buffer
Its 6" but if you mount it on a base it will take 8" wheels too (it might work even with no extra elevation)

How much will one of thoes speed controls slow the buffer? and is that shorten the life of the motor?