The Ford Barn

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-30-2010, 11:30 AM

I am in the market for a good quality heavy-duty buffer and am going to see about purchasing one at Hershey this year. Has anyone purchased one in the last year or two that they can recommend?

.

Charles Reese · 09-30-2010, 04:10 PM

i have been very happy with my Porter Cable #7424. but then mine is a one-time restoration so cant attest to its longevity in your busy shop. very forgiving for this novice!

Gary WA · 09-30-2010, 04:34 PM

Go to Griots car care in Fife WA. their web is www.griotsgarage.com. A super place for products.

MikeK · 09-30-2010, 06:24 PM

Brent,
I'm a bit confused as to what you mean by "heavy duty". I've used commercial buffing machines for casting finishing from 1972 to 2000. I would classify anything you find at Hershey as a toy, including those little 1.5 hp Baldors with the dangerous exposed extended live shafts.

You need not less than 3 hp, spindle dia 1" or more, at least 3" clamp space between flanges, and a bolted floor mount that will not flex.

I suggest you search the used machinery dealers. I assume you have 3 phase in your shop. Here's a decent machine:
Hammond Buffer Link

Wick · 09-30-2010, 06:51 PM

I bought the Makita buffer this year,its got different speed settings (thumb wheel) the lowest setting is 500 rpm I think. Cost me on line $185 and came with a carry bag. Ive used it alot,buffed out the camper sides yesterday. I looked at dewalt,millwalkee,black and decker also.
Ive been using White Diamond Products with it. You can get those at hershey also.
Wick

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-30-2010, 07:09 PM

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I think there may be some confusion. This would be a unit for polishing aluminum/stainless/brass, --not paint. Thanks anyway for your comments and recommendations.

Mike, while I appreciate your input, your idea and mine regarding the definitions of 'toy', 'heavy duty', and 'commercial' are a tad different.

I am not looking for a 'commercial unit' like you used, but instead a 'heavy duty' unit such as a 1½ horsepower 220v unit like the Baldor or similar.

I do have 3 phase in my shop however again, that is not the type unit I am in the market for. IMO, anything under ¾ horsepower that does not have ball bearings is a 'hobbyist's toy'. I am wanting extended shafts and something semi-portable to move around the shop (and outside during dirty operations)

.

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glenn in camino · 09-30-2010, 07:21 PM

If you're using it for paint you want an oscillating buffer and not one that spins. I use the +_ $40 ones and if one quits, I throw it away and buy another. I never buy the overpriced extended warranty. Expensive tools are a waste if money for a hobbiest.

Ron in Quincy · 10-01-2010, 01:19 AM

I've had a Baldor 110/230, extended shafts, ball bearings, 3/4" shafts, as I recall its 3/4 hp, for 10 years. I've run it on 110 all these years, buffed out stainless shells, headlight, tail lights and even buffed out a airplane radial stainless exhaust for a friend. I've had no problems other than installing new pads. Using good buffing compound seems to give better results. I have it installed on a pedistol stand, with a big base, so I can move it around. One of the better investments I've made.

Ron

roadster31 · 10-01-2010, 05:08 AM

Brent, I bought the Baldor 220v buffer/polisher from Grizzly; not a toy. it weighs well over 100 lbs. with a 3,450 motor, the shaft is a bit over three feet. Hang on tight it can throw what ever you are polishing an amazing distance. I used to make custom hunting knives and I polished a lot of stone so it has many hours on it. I am almost afraid to use it on a radiator shell; if that thing ever cought an edge it would hit you over the head multiple times and then bash it against the floor. seriously, it is a good professional quality tool. Regards, E LaBrash

john in illinois · 10-01-2010, 07:32 AM

I have 2 Baldors. 3?4 and 1/2 hp. The small one is ancient and has always worked with no maintainance.

Jim Huseby · 10-01-2010, 11:30 AM

'Just got a new Burr King industrial set up this morning, manufactured in USA. It is more versatile than I can mentally adjust to yet, and is about 3 times faster than my previous results on aluminum and brass castings, Model A stainless, and a couple intricate steering wheel spiders. Their web site is www.burrking.com. Email me and I can give you what particulars I have observed.

09-30-2010, 11:30 AM	#1
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,525	Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. I am in the market for a good quality heavy-duty buffer and am going to see about purchasing one at Hershey this year. Has anyone purchased one in the last year or two that they can recommend? . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

09-30-2010, 04:10 PM	#2
Charles Reese Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 882	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. i have been very happy with my Porter Cable #7424. but then mine is a one-time restoration so cant attest to its longevity in your busy shop. very forgiving for this novice!

09-30-2010, 04:34 PM	#3
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,107	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. Go to Griots car care in Fife WA. their web is www.griotsgarage.com. A super place for products.

09-30-2010, 06:24 PM	#4
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. Brent, I'm a bit confused as to what you mean by "heavy duty". I've used commercial buffing machines for casting finishing from 1972 to 2000. I would classify anything you find at Hershey as a toy, including those little 1.5 hp Baldors with the dangerous exposed extended live shafts. You need not less than 3 hp, spindle dia 1" or more, at least 3" clamp space between flanges, and a bolted floor mount that will not flex. I suggest you search the used machinery dealers. I assume you have 3 phase in your shop. Here's a decent machine: Hammond Buffer Link

09-30-2010, 06:51 PM	#5
Wick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gwynn's Island Va Posts: 1,393	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. I bought the Makita buffer this year,its got different speed settings (thumb wheel) the lowest setting is 500 rpm I think. Cost me on line $185 and came with a carry bag. Ive used it alot,buffed out the camper sides yesterday. I looked at dewalt,millwalkee,black and decker also. Ive been using White Diamond Products with it. You can get those at hershey also. Wick

09-30-2010, 07:09 PM	#6
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,525	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think there may be some confusion. This would be a unit for polishing aluminum/stainless/brass, --not paint. Thanks anyway for your comments and recommendations. Mike, while I appreciate your input, your idea and mine regarding the definitions of 'toy', 'heavy duty', and 'commercial' are a tad different. I am not looking for a 'commercial unit' like you used, but instead a 'heavy duty' unit such as a 1½ horsepower 220v unit like the Baldor or similar. I do have 3 phase in my shop however again, that is not the type unit I am in the market for. IMO, anything under ¾ horsepower that does not have ball bearings is a 'hobbyist's toy'. I am wanting extended shafts and something semi-portable to move around the shop (and outside during dirty operations). . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

09-30-2010, 07:21 PM	#7
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. If you're using it for paint you want an oscillating buffer and not one that spins. I use the +_ $40 ones and if one quits, I throw it away and buy another. I never buy the overpriced extended warranty. Expensive tools are a waste if money for a hobbiest.

10-01-2010, 01:19 AM	#8
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. I've had a Baldor 110/230, extended shafts, ball bearings, 3/4" shafts, as I recall its 3/4 hp, for 10 years. I've run it on 110 all these years, buffed out stainless shells, headlight, tail lights and even buffed out a airplane radial stainless exhaust for a friend. I've had no problems other than installing new pads. Using good buffing compound seems to give better results. I have it installed on a pedistol stand, with a big base, so I can move it around. One of the better investments I've made. Ron

10-01-2010, 05:08 AM	#9
roadster31 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 68	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. Brent, I bought the Baldor 220v buffer/polisher from Grizzly; not a toy. it weighs well over 100 lbs. with a 3,450 motor, the shaft is a bit over three feet. Hang on tight it can throw what ever you are polishing an amazing distance. I used to make custom hunting knives and I polished a lot of stone so it has many hours on it. I am almost afraid to use it on a radiator shell; if that thing ever cought an edge it would hit you over the head multiple times and then bash it against the floor. seriously, it is a good professional quality tool. Regards, E LaBrash

10-01-2010, 07:32 AM	#10
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,185	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. I have 2 Baldors. 3?4 and 1/2 hp. The small one is ancient and has always worked with no maintainance.

10-01-2010, 11:30 AM	#11
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: Commercial-type Buffer/Polisher recommendations needed. 'Just got a new Burr King industrial set up this morning, manufactured in USA. It is more versatile than I can mentally adjust to yet, and is about 3 times faster than my previous results on aluminum and brass castings, Model A stainless, and a couple intricate steering wheel spiders. Their web site is www.burrking.com. Email me and I can give you what particulars I have observed.