In article ,
"JD" wrote:

OK, you've talked me into it. After all the talk on here about the Beall
System, I've decided I really want one. I looked at Woodcraft and I don't
know exactly what I need in order to get started. I assume I'll need the 3
pad system, but do I go with the bowl buffs or the flat pad buffing pads. Do
I need a mandrel set or would I be better served tearing apart the old
bandsaw that is shoved into the corner of my garage and rob parts off it to
construct a buffing station?

What to get depends on what you do - size of pieces, type, etc.

I got the 3-buff setup with the stock arbor (1 buff mounts at the end),
stock wheel buffs, and 4" bowl buffs. I use a shopsmith as the variable
speed buffing device, and find that I have the work in positions that
would be difficult with a mandrel often enough (and of course bowl buffs
would not work on a mandrel) that I have not felt any yearn for one -
I'd probably cobble it up myself if I wanted one at some future point in
time, but I'd be more likely to set up 3 double-ended buffing heads to
retain end access and bowl-buff use. I store the buffs and compound in
large ziplocks, so that the fine one doesn't get contaminated by the
coarse one, and the wax doesn't get contaminated by either.

The wheels get used on the outside, and the inside of large bowls - the
bowl buffs I only use on the insides where the wheels can't reach. You
want more RPMs for the smaller diameter bowl buffs, to keep the surface
speed about the same. In theory you also want to gradually crank up the
speeds as the diameters gradually wear down with use.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by