Bench Top Buffers

[scrooge]

looking for recommendations on buffers, variable speed. Also good places to get other supplies for working on pipes.

 

[georged]

http://vermontfreehand.com/
http://www.ottofrei.com/home.php

 

[captpat]

If you want something that's compact with a large RPM range take a look at a Foredom Bench Lathe, lot's of accessories, my wife uses it for jewelry making.

 

[ssjones]

The Foredom's I've seen have the friction fit/tapered arbor that doesn't work well with pipe. And they are pricey (most don't have the HP for briar work).
For a savings of several hundered dollars, go to your local Electric Motor repair and pick up a 3/4 hp, 1725 rpm furnace motor. Rebuilt ones will last several lifetimes of pipe work and are usually less than $100. A pad arbor from Jestco is $20. Jestco also sells buffing wheels, etc.
http://jestcoproducts.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=40

 

[tobyducote]

I use a shop fox buffer with a 1/3 Hp motor...the buffer has multiple pulley wheels to adjust your RPMS....
Captap...you definitely do not want a high RPM buffer for pipes, like what is used for Jewlery...with pipes, you have to take it slow and easy

 

[phil67]

Captap...you definitely do not want a high RPM buffer for pipes, like what is used for Jewlery...with pipes, you have to take it slow and easy

Absolutely. The motor shouldn't be running any higher than 2000 RPM and 1700 to 1750 is optimal. I can crank mine down to about 800 RPM while maintaining the same torque if needed.

 

[captpat]

The Foredom is fully capable of spinning slow (infinite range from 0 to max RPM) its small footprint and ability to fill multiple uses makes it a good choice for me. I've had no problems buffing pipes or stems. YMMV