Went down to the auto swap meet the other weekend and acquired a single speed made in the USA SIOUX buffer although I already had a variable speed made in Germany SIOUX model. Could not resist for fifteen bucks knowing it was the artillery of choice for bodymen back in the day. Took her to the local new tool sales and repair store only to hear the all to familiar refrain of too old, no parts, throw it away and buy a new one. Not exactly what I had in mind. My next stop was an electric motor shop that survived downtown for the past hundred years. Laid her on the counter and the technician gave her a glance, pulled a half dozen packs off the rack, tried a couple of brushes and caps, remarked PORTER CABLE will work, installed same. Plugged in the power cord and whrrrrrr, he looked up with a sly grin and commented "new ones do not sound like that".

 

Cool, I have refit brushes by filing the sides down to fit. Old tools like old cars were built with lasting in mind,new crap is for the only going to use it once guy.
Steve

 

too bad crap-on tools bought em out and shut the plant down in sioux city iowa.i was by the old plant today,sad to see.they made a wicked buffer i still have my dad's from the 60's.heavy but man that baby buffs.i actually like using it to buff these new car plastic headlight lens that turn hazy.heck with buying those kits to do it.i just use some 3m swirl mark compound and buff em,takes about 2 minutes to do both lens and they come out crystal clear.