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I’m starting to think about buying a buffing machine mostly for bodies and necks. I’ve seen the StewMac offering of course. Anyone have any recommendations? Not really looking to build anything just wanna buy ready to use.

Although pricey, Stew Mac most likely is a good choice.

Being of low budget, I got mine from Caswell but, when I look at their site I don't see it. It is a good machine at a good price. You might want to call them and see if they will be offering again. Mine looks just like this from the caswell site,


You want a RPM of around 1725 and a long shaft, something at least 30" end to end.

Another place to look is Grizzly, here: https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzl ... RPM/G1061Z

I have no experience with this buffer but others might.

Eastwood also has some that might work: https://www.eastwood.com/shop-equipment.html Again, no experience here

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I'm looking forward to the recommendations. This is the next tool I want to add to my shop.

The StewMac setup is 36" wide between buffing wheels which seems like a nice feature. The Grizzly and Eastwood ones are 16" wide. ANy opinions about whether 16" is sufficient/tolerable/not enough?

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

Another option is the Shop Fox. I have one and am pleased with it although I would prefer that the buffing wheels were farther apart. You need to supply your own motor and v-belt.

shop fox with a 1/3 hp 1725 motor is plenty

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I also had a Caswell 3/4 HP, but switched to the SM setup after spending time in Brian Howard’s shop and using his. The Caswell I had is apparently more for metal polishing. It worked OK but was too easy to overheat the finish.

If you want everything ready to go out of the box the SM setup would be your best best, IMO.


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I purchased the stewmac months ago. Pricy... but well built and it does a really nice job


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Caswell doesn't currently have anything slow enough to buff finishes. Their equipment all runs at metal polishing speeds so a speed control would be a mandatory accessory.

For a complete kit, ready to go out of the box it is hard to beat the SM.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I see there are numerous buffers available in that speed range of 1725. Grizzly, etc. the StewMac runs at 700. Is there a big chance of burning through at 1725?

There are motors available with lower rpm and you can also adjust speed using different pulley sizes. I'm using a 1/2 hp, 1725 rpm because that's what I had, the speed is reduced to a little over 700. I'd rather have the Stewmac one but the price difference was substantial. If I did it again I'd put together my own arbor with a very long shaft. It's not all that challenging a project.

I ordered a SM setup without the motor because I had a 1/3 HP motor already. I can stall the motor, but that keeps me from burning through.

Even with the 36" shaft, it can be a bit awkward keeping clear of the housing.

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I broke down and bought the StewMac version - glad I did, it works well and after a few years I've forgotten the hurt in the wallet.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I have a Stewmac buffer and Menzerna compounds I might be willing to sell, if you are interested. I'm located just outside Ann Arbor.

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Stay with the happy people.
--Reynolds Large

I wish I would’ve seen this earlier, I already ordered the StewMac a couple hrs ago.

Sm buffer here. If y'all want to save lots of money on buffing wheels and compound get them from Jescar. WAY cheaper than StewMac.