Is my buffer possessed.

[bonanzadriver]

The surging doesn't immediately bring to mind a bearing acting up.
If it's vibrating noticeably and also lurching about, then yeah, makes sense.
If it's running along just fine and then all of a sudden speeds up or down or cuts off entirely, sounds like an electrical issue.
Not unheard of for someone to have not tightened up all of the wires inside.
I'd hazard a guess that you may very well know someone that has basic electrical/electronic skills, that could help you trouble shoot this and get er runnin again.
You could also start doin a little troubleshootin yerself... (by the way, I think I've got the same polisher)
I'll look at mine tonight and see if we cant give ya a hand openin er up and checkin er out.
Again, might just be a loose wire.
If the pot. is bad, you can most likely find a cheap replacement on the interweb and be back up and runnin in no time.
By the way, does it act up at all speeds or just @ a specific lower or higher speed?
Dino

 

[ssjones]

@Bonanza, we were referring to the bearings in Shaintiques motor, not the OP.
The OP's Rand has a variable speed knob, my bet is there is an issue with it.

 

[addamsruspipe]

I only use it at the lowest speed, 2000rpm. It will work fine for the first 10 minutes or so, but after that it will do it within minutes of starting up. If I let it sit for a hour it will give that 10 minutes before it starts acting up again.

 

[bonanzadriver]

Adam,
I sure sounds like there's something component wise that's overheating. I'm betting on the pot (potentiometer)

 

[mawnansmiff]

"It will work fine for the first 10 minutes or so, but after that it will do it within minutes of starting up."
Sounds to me that the windings are overheating. Does it have an induction fan built in? If so (most have) then perhaps there is an obstruction of some sort that is allowing the motor to overheat.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[addamsruspipe]

No fan, and the casing does get really hot.

 

[ssjones]

Yep, most buffer motors are air cooled, but they shouldn't really get hot doing a pipe/stem.

Doing metal, I run my buffers for hours with no ill effects. But pipes only require a few minutes per pad.

 

[georged]

It's very difficult to buy anything of quality these days what with container loads of utter junk arriving daily at our shores from the far east.

Truly good tools and equipment ARE readily available AND easy to buy. It just takes knowing where to look (because the general public has little interest in anything better than what's found at Home Depot-type stores you must learn where professionals get their stuff), and money. LOTS of money. :lol:
Though there are exceptions---Japanese and Taiwanese gear can be good---the general rule is avoid anything made in Asia. Primarily mainland China, Malaysia, and India. All show, no go. And durability? :rofl:
The good stuff comes from Austria, Germany, Sweden, and the USA. Some old English firms are still making good tools, and Poland is coming on strong.
Bottom line: Buy the best and cry only once. :lol:

 

[saintpeter]

OP says:

Ok, so I have a cheap Rand bench polishing machine. I've had it about 7 months

To which I ask (as I was thinking of buying a lower priced Rand) for those seven months how did it work for you?

 

[addamsruspipe]

It actually worked fine. Admittedly I never used it above the 2000rpms. But I was able to get rid of oxidation, polish up the stems and bowls. The only issue I had with it was it's small size, and that it only takes 4-5" pads.

 

[saintpeter]

Thank you.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Though there are exceptions---Japanese and Taiwanese gear can be good..."
Very true. I have a high end Japanese (Meiji) microscope along with a Swiss (Leica/Wild) microscope and both are absolutely top notch quality. I would be cautious about buying anything Chinese however. Dodgy materials and little or no quality control.
If you spend your money wisely, you spend it only the once.
Regards,
Jay.