Anything wrong with a harbor freight buffer?

Josh Rider

Josh Rider

Stuff maker
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Messages
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I haven't needed a buffer so far, but I want to start using one on my knife handles.

How many of you are using a harbor freight buffer?
 
I use one on my micarta handles. The muslin wheels aren't great, but I have no issues with the machine itself.
 
Take a look at the Eastwood buffers on the Eastwood website. They have a 2 speed model that is all you will ever need. About $200 Larry



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I have one. The buffs it comes with are crap but the buffer itself works well enough for me, if a little under powered it's not bad.
 
The HF buffers run at 3650 RPM. You really need something slower. Fast polishers can burn soft handle materials.
Horsepower is not what you need when buffing.
Look on Ebay for a used Baldor dental lathe-preferably a 2 speed model.
 
I bet if you had a vfd controlled disk sander, you could figure out how to make it do double duty as a buffer as well.
 
Mine shakes the hell out of my bench if the buff isn't centered. Runs real fast, but I make it work.
 
Thanks guys for the responses, I'm going to skip the harbor freight one for now. So either the eastwood, baldor dental lathe, or rig something up.

I do have 2 leftover pillow bearings, a 3/4 shaft and a drive wheel leftover from my kmg now that its direct drive.

I'm going to see if I can find a 3/4 tapered buffer spindle and maybe I can hook something up to a tool arm. I think I saw this done somewhere and didn't even think about it.

I really appreciate the input fellas, thanks.
 
I can't answer about the HF buffer
but I think you get what you pay for? :-)

I have hard time buying products that are made to sell when I'm personally trying to sell something that is made to last.
but this is a philosophical concern,

I have 2 Baldor 332B buffers at 1800 RPM, one I use as a flap sander
found them both on CL, 1 for $180 and the 2nd one for $300 with stand and 5 compounds. These go for $600 each
both like new, just took some time and waiting for the right deal to come along
 
HSC /// said:
I can't answer about the HF buffer
but I think you get what you pay for? :-)

I have hard time buying products that are made to sell when I'm personally trying to sell something that is made to last.
but this is a philosophical concern,

I have 2 Baldor 332B buffers at 1800 RPM, one I use as a flap sander
found them both on CL, 1 for $180 and the 2nd one for $300 with stand and 5 compounds. These go for $600 each
both like new, just took some time and waiting for the right deal to come along
Click to expand...

I know what you mean Harbeer, I was just wondering if that buffer was one of the good quality things they sell. A lot of their tools are junk, but I've bought my mini mill and my bandsaw from them and love them both.
 
Josh Rider said:
Thanks guys for the responses, I'm going to skip the harbor freight one for now. So either the eastwood, baldor dental lathe, or rig something up.

I do have 2 leftover pillow bearings, a 3/4 shaft and a drive wheel leftover from my kmg now that its direct drive.

I'm going to see if I can find a 3/4 tapered buffer spindle and maybe I can hook something up to a tool arm. I think I saw this done somewhere and didn't even think about it.

I really appreciate the input fellas, thanks.
Click to expand...

Something like this?

13df5a494f2db08f67e2e1bf863f988c.jpg
 
Dang I must be missing out. I've been using my harbor freight $40 buffer with the original buffs for over a year and thought it worked pretty good...:confused:
 
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