Ok, I know that many people here don't like to use, or recommend electric buffing wheel, and I fully understand the arguments of why they take this stand. Normal buffing wheels in the hands of the inexperienced can have tragic consequences, for the operator and or the item being polished. That's because most all of them are big and fast, neither of which is really suitable for pipe work IMO.
However, times, and apparently equipment have changed!
I received this in the mail today. If one were to want an electric buffer for pipe work, I'd say this is just about perfect. It is described as a buffing wheel for polishing jewelry. So how bad can it be on pipes?
1) Most importantly it's variable speed with 800rpm being the low range. And after trying it out, that speed is really perfect for what we do. It's not near fast enough to melt your stems or to have a pipe or stem ripped from your hands and go flying across the room. It's maybe slightly faster than an electric shoe buffer if that helps. But if you wanted to, you can crank it up to 10,000rpm. I did for a few seconds, just to see how fast that was and if the unit would start to move around on my desk. It didn't budge.
2) It's small and compact. Look at it compared to my hand and the bic lighter in the photo. This thing is tiny, but it has a hefty weight. It didn't go anywhere when I buffed with it, and it's not even screwed down (because I'm only running it at 800rmp). It barely takes up any space on my computer desk.
3) It can use 2", 3", or 4" buffing wheels or pads, which are really just the right size for pipe work IMHO. I think 6" buffing wheels are kinda overkill for this kinda work. It comes with 2 white cotton, 2 yellow cotton, and 2 abrasive wheels. It also come with a couple of extra motor brushes.
4) It's very affordable at only $66.99 on Amazon, which I think is a price point most of us can appreciate.
However, times, and apparently equipment have changed!
I received this in the mail today. If one were to want an electric buffer for pipe work, I'd say this is just about perfect. It is described as a buffing wheel for polishing jewelry. So how bad can it be on pipes?
1) Most importantly it's variable speed with 800rpm being the low range. And after trying it out, that speed is really perfect for what we do. It's not near fast enough to melt your stems or to have a pipe or stem ripped from your hands and go flying across the room. It's maybe slightly faster than an electric shoe buffer if that helps. But if you wanted to, you can crank it up to 10,000rpm. I did for a few seconds, just to see how fast that was and if the unit would start to move around on my desk. It didn't budge.
2) It's small and compact. Look at it compared to my hand and the bic lighter in the photo. This thing is tiny, but it has a hefty weight. It didn't go anywhere when I buffed with it, and it's not even screwed down (because I'm only running it at 800rmp). It barely takes up any space on my computer desk.
3) It can use 2", 3", or 4" buffing wheels or pads, which are really just the right size for pipe work IMHO. I think 6" buffing wheels are kinda overkill for this kinda work. It comes with 2 white cotton, 2 yellow cotton, and 2 abrasive wheels. It also come with a couple of extra motor brushes.
4) It's very affordable at only $66.99 on Amazon, which I think is a price point most of us can appreciate.