Thread: Need a Buffing Machine Recommendation Please

Your problem is a matter of surface speed. I would suggest picking up some 4" buffing wheels first, that will significantly reduce the speed. I would do the math, but that would involve opening the bag next to me and it is a Friday.

I have done a couple of restores here and there and I finally bought 6 Harbor Freight buffers that run at 3450 I use 4 inch wheels (The math is already done in the Workshop sticky) I spent $29.99 for each $39.99 buffer, HF will give you 25% off if you simply ask, that was $180 for all 6 I have a 1725 RPM motor too for buffing scales, got it Free... but they are common from Washing machines... I now don't have to change wheels at all, I start at one end of the bench and work my way to the other....

You don't need POWER or Torque we are talking razors here, not machine parts it takes a gentle touch... Not that a $400 Baldor wouldn't be cool but don't let that stop you have jumping in...

I don't care if I burn up a $30 buffer it costs less to replace it then shipping would for a repair on a good machine, I haven't replaced one yet Did I mention I have done a few restores here and there????

Don't let anything stop you from starting to restore,,, I also would NOT recommend using a buffer until you have done quite a few restores by hand to learn the ins and outs of working the blades...

How did those restores go for you Glen. I'd like to see some of your work sometime. LOL. The Porter cable seems to work just fine. It is variable from 1750-3500 I believe. I am at work right now so I can't go look at it.

OK, just so it's here, I did the math. 1750rpm, 6in wheel = 32,986in/minute. 3450rpm. 4in wheel = 43,354in/min. 6in wheel, 3450rpm, 65,030in/min. I have one 1750, 6in pads. Glen's solution is cheaper, a tad faster, and god knows he has done more polishing this week than I have done in my lifetime, so my next machine will be a HF 3450. Glen, where do you get 4 inch pads?

I buy them at Home Depot, I have used the Sisal the Sewn and the Loose over time... I no longer use the Sisal at all, I use the Sewn on greaseless then loose on all the polishing compounds from there up... YMMV but that is where I am at right now..

TAKE YOUR TIME, READ ALL THE THREADS, BE CAREFUL, and WEAR FREAKING GOGGLES NOT GLASSES things we all have learned the hard way

AND,
please, wear a respirator. That stuff does not belong in your lungs. I have not been able to use my buffer for the past several months only because I no longer have a way to properly clean the air in the apartment in which we are temporarily living. This is despite having a respirator, a dust collector with collection ports behind my wheels, and a shop air filter. You don't want to live with the dust that comes off of your buffer.

I must be doing something wrong. I tried a 4" wheel on my 3600 rpm machine and still couldn't get the greaseless compound to apply well. I guess I'll have to invest in the lower machine afterall (or try the dimmer switch trick).

What do you guys think about this grinder from Harbor Freight? After looking at the manual (linked to the product page), the RPMs go from 0-10,000. I called HF, and they will sell it for $32, plus about $8 shipping. Follow the link here:

Bench Grinder with Flex Shaft

Originally Posted by tice75

What do you guys think about this grinder from Harbor Freight? After looking at the manual (linked to the product page), the RPMs go from 0-10,000. I called HF, and they will sell it for $32, plus about $8 shipping. Follow the link here:

Bench Grinder with Flex Shaft

Ya can't beat that price. I buy alot of hand tools there but I have yet to buy an electric one. That grinder may be my first one as soon as I get a garage to use it in anyway.

Originally Posted by WhiskerBiscuit

Ya can't beat that price. I buy alot of hand tools there but I have yet to buy an electric one. That grinder may be my first one as soon as I get a garage to use it in anyway.

I went ahead and ordered it because they have the 20% coupon code listed on the HF page. It was 20% off the already discounted price! So it was $27.99, and with tax and shipping, it was just under $40.