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? If I do that, is there anything else I need?

Mac, I know you've got some input here. Anyone else? Since I haven't bought
anything yet, I'm open for any suggestions you might have. Also, I'm not
above saving money, so if I can build something rather than buy that would
be a plus.

Thanks,
JD

--
James Darren Smith
Adjunct Faculty
Western Kentucky University
Recreation Adminstration Program
(270)745-3004

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? If I do that, is there anything else I
need?

Mac, I know you've got some input here. Anyone else? Since I haven't
bought anything yet, I'm open for any suggestions you might have. Also,
I'm not above saving money, so if I can build something rather than buy
that would be a plus.

Thanks,
JD

I have both and use them on the smaller lathe. I will eventually get around
to sticking them on a surplus motor.

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

I did some more searching and found this sight. Was wandering if anyone else
tried this site?
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/
From what I've seen, they've got the buffs, an arbor for changing a motor
into a buffer, and most anything else needed. After doing the math it looks
like I could build the same thing as the Beall System for around $35-40.

8" Flannel buff - $4.49
8"Cotton Flannel-3.59
8"Cotton Buff -5.99
5/8" Shaft Adapter - 7.99
Approx. Total -22.00

Buffing Compounds from Woodcraft - 5.99 each
Total 40.00

Did I miss anything?

JD

On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 16:22:30 -0600, "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? If I do that, is there anything else I need?

Mac, I know you've got some input here. Anyone else? Since I haven't bought
anything yet, I'm open for any suggestions you might have. Also, I'm not
above saving money, so if I can build something rather than buy that would
be a plus.

Thanks,
JD

I started with the "normal" system, the one for about $70..
That lets you get started with the motor adapter and 3 wheels, along with the
compounds..
I had a morse taper adapter from my shopsmith, if I didn't I would have bought
theirs.. that way you can use it on your lathe, also..
(an old washing machine motor works well, but now I have an extra lathe)

Add bowl and goblet buffs as needed...
I'd suggest staying with beall as you add buffs, so everything is
interchangeable.. (buffs also thread onto the started adapter in the $70 kit)

If you can spare the cash, buy 3 of each size buff as you buy additional sizes..
Some venders say you only need 2 buffs but I use 3 of each size..
I think they come in 2, 3 & 4".. I have all of them now but for bowls, you only
need the largest size..
Add others for goblets and larger boxes..

I briefly considered building or buying the "3 - in - 1" setup, with all three
buffs spinning on the lathe at one time..
I decided against it because the way I buff, bowls would be a hassle on that
setup.. I like the buffing wheel sort of hanging out it space and working the
bowl, especially the inside, and think the rod between the wheels would get in
the way..
Wheel changes are just a few seconds anyway..
also, I usually buff a few things at a time, so I just change wheels as needed..



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 18:46:45 -0600, "JD" wrote:

I did some more searching and found this sight. Was wandering if anyone else
tried this site?
http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/
From what I've seen, they've got the buffs, an arbor for changing a motor
into a buffer, and most anything else needed. After doing the math it looks
like I could build the same thing as the Beall System for around $35-40.

8" Flannel buff - $4.49
8"Cotton Flannel-3.59
8"Cotton Buff -5.99
5/8" Shaft Adapter - 7.99
Approx. Total -22.00

Buffing Compounds from Woodcraft - 5.99 each
Total 40.00

Did I miss anything?

JD
Do the wheels come with the bolt and things in them?

Personally, I wouldn't re-invent the wheel to save $30..
Beall is the expert here and I'd want their wheels, for one thing..

My wife bought me the POS buffing system from Penn State Ind. and it sucked so
bad that I had given up on buffing until my mentor talked me into trying the
Beall..
The wheels were tiny and cheap, their wax was really poor quality and the motor
that came with it was an absolute joke..



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

I've read some other info and think I agree with what you are saying here.
Just needed someone else to say what I was thinking.

Thanks again,
JD

"mac davis" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 16:22:30 -0600, "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? If I do that, is there anything else I need?

Mac, I know you've got some input here. Anyone else? Since I haven't
bought
anything yet, I'm open for any suggestions you might have. Also, I'm not
above saving money, so if I can build something rather than buy that would
be a plus.

Thanks,
JD

I started with the "normal" system, the one for about $70..
That lets you get started with the motor adapter and 3 wheels, along with
the
compounds..
I had a morse taper adapter from my shopsmith, if I didn't I would have
bought
theirs.. that way you can use it on your lathe, also..
(an old washing machine motor works well, but now I have an extra lathe)

Add bowl and goblet buffs as needed...
I'd suggest staying with beall as you add buffs, so everything is
interchangeable.. (buffs also thread onto the started adapter in the $70
kit)

If you can spare the cash, buy 3 of each size buff as you buy additional
sizes..
Some venders say you only need 2 buffs but I use 3 of each size..
I think they come in 2, 3 & 4".. I have all of them now but for bowls, you
only
need the largest size..
Add others for goblets and larger boxes..

I briefly considered building or buying the "3 - in - 1" setup, with all
three
buffs spinning on the lathe at one time..
I decided against it because the way I buff, bowls would be a hassle on
that
setup.. I like the buffing wheel sort of hanging out it space and working
the
bowl, especially the inside, and think the rod between the wheels would
get in
the way..
Wheel changes are just a few seconds anyway..
also, I usually buff a few things at a time, so I just change wheels as
needed..



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing