I agree with the above answers and have this to add:

I bought a HF 6" buffer four years ago and it has served me well. I have a small business doing custom work which requires polishing of great amounts of brass and wood. I also acquired one for a friend who a professional manufacturing jeweler/certified diamond appraiser. We have had success with the ones we bought. Get the machine on special and apply the saving to a three year warranty. The machine will hold you till you may decide you want a better one, in which case it becomes a back-up or heavy duty machine. You may not ever need a machine at two to three times the price.

I agree with the post above that a tapered threaded spindle is worth having; it allows use of hard felt and quick change leather and lead centered buffs. They are made separately, right and left rotation, for each end of the buffer lathe because the pressure of the work tightens the buff onto the spindle keeps the buff in place with the proper rotation direction.

HF does have good deals on small hard felt buffs which could be great with the proper compound for cleaning grinds.
As an addition, I have bought compounds at very large truck stops, they have a chrome oxide green that is a champ for most work. ~$10 for a bar.
They also have a white bar that is a good cutting / cleaning choice.

Read...READ... read all you can find on buffer safety!!! If you are not careful, it is the most dangerous machine in the shop! It is also messy, and for your own protection, wear a particulate filter respirator.
I know too many folks my age (70) that have breathing problems caused by grinders and buffers.
Other than that.. if you are feeling frustrated or in a hurry.. put the project down and then pick it up when you are rested!
~Geezer