santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

[CarbonBlack]

Hello,

For Christmas I asked for a buffer, and ended up with a rotary(mothers don't "get" paint care, she uses dawn if that is any indication)

this particular rotary came with "bonnets", i am wondering about using "bonnets", or should I just give up with them

is there any way to make a rotary "safe", i am thinking of getting pads and a backing plate for it (any recommendations?)

I like this buffer, it is variable speed, and has a nice handle
Another option is saving up and getting a "proper" buffer

BTW, i was a good son, and haven't complained

thanks
-nick

[CarbonBlack]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

Also, how much would a modification cost? i am thinking about the So1o system

[Ryan L.]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

Which Rotary is it? I can help you as far as pads and backing plates, but there is almost no way to make a rotary "safe," at least if were talking about the same type of rotary.

Ryan

[CarbonBlack]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

thanks for your offering to help, I have taken a interest in your thoughtful posts.

anyway, it is a craftsman 6in sander/polisher (speeds are 1400/1650 rpm)
that is to say it IS NOT a orbital
(I am thinking about buying a $20 orbital to tithe me over, but that is another story)



thanks for all your time spent on MOL

-nick

[CarbonBlack]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

I realize rotary's are dangerous, I am in no way a PRO, but eventually i want to be proficient with a rotary

I am wanting to get a appropriate setup, and then practice on my friends beater cars

-nick

BTW my rotary looks like a modified right angle grinder

[Mark2]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

1400-1650 rpm seems very narrow to me, usually they are like 0-3000 or something like that. I have used an orbital(Cyclo) for some time and now got a rotary also. I must say that it was not difficult to use at all, and I didn't make any burns or marks in the paint. Read about how it should be used and keep the rpms low and they are pretty safe IMHO.

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

Personally, I would return the rotary.

Craftsman rotaries have a different arbor (not 5/8) and backing plates are hard to find.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

Morning,

I have some good and some bad news. The good news is that a rotary can do amazing things once a person has learned how to use it properly. Many people just take it and start buffing on their cars, and in the shade or under garage lights, it looks really good; until you take it out into the sun and see holograms all over the place. The rotary does have a learning curve, so practice on an old hood etc until you see how to use it properly. Of course read write ups found here on MOL and elsewhere.

The bad news is that the Craftsman rotary does not use an industry standard 5/8" shaft/thread. That means the vast majority of backing plates, including Meguiar's plates will not fit. So unless you can source a backing plate for your thread/shaft size, you will have difficulty using the rotary with the proper pads etc... .

I would contact Sears and see what velcro backing plates they have to offer to go with that rotary.

Do not bother getting their orbital as it is good for applying wax and that is about it. It would be much MUCH better to go with a proper DA polisher like Meguiar's G-110.

Tim

[CarbonBlack]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

ok, sounds good- the 5/8 shaft is a problem!

i'll return it

[CarbonBlack]

Re: santa gave wrong buffer-plz help modify it

decided to save all profits from detailing, then buy a real buffer