Penn State 3-step buffer vs. Beall

[Jamie Straw]

Thought I could get by with the Penn State 3-step buffer, save $25 bucks or so. Not! Sent it back, mandrel was horrible; ordered the Beall. Below are pictures of the two mandrels:

Penn State Industries:mad::


Beall Mandrel:


I also like the fact that Beall stamps the compound name on the wheels, instead of using a little paper sticker that will be gone instantly:

 

[Fred Belknap]

I use the Beal buffing system and like how it works. I do use a draw bar on the mandrel to keep it from coming loose when I am using it. I guess you get what you pay for sometimes.

 

[Brian McInturff]

Wow, that mandrel looks terrible! Hope you didn't put it in your lathe...

 

[Douglas Ladendorf]

Very interesting Jamie, thanks for the pictures. I have one I bought from a third party at The Woodworking Show (wish I could remember who) that seems to be between the two. It has the threaded mandrel like the PS one but much better machining, and it has the compound type printed on the buffs like the Beall. I'm a bit surprised by how bad the PS mandrel is. Looks a bit thin too.

Doug