Ryobi Buffing Set

Polishing and buffing metals and plastics can be a daunting task, especially when you're dealing with accumulated grime, tarnish, or oxidation. The Ryobi Buffing Set, model A92701, aims to make this process easier by providing a convenient kit designed for use with drills and impact drivers. However, does it live up to expectations? Let's break down my hands-on experience with this set.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The Ryobi Buffing Set includes three spiral-sewn buffing wheels of different sizes—2-1/4", 3", and 4". Accompanying these wheels are three mini compound sticks: Emery (black), Tripoli (brown), and White Rouge (white). The kit also comes with a 1/4" Hex Shank Mandrel, which is compatible with most drills and impact drivers, as well as thread screws and domed washers.

Upon unboxing, everything seemed well-organized and straightforward. The buffing wheels appeared sturdy, and the compounds, although small, seemed capable of handling light to moderate polishing tasks. However, the compounds themselves felt quite hard, raising some initial concerns about their usability.

Setup and Usage

Setting up the buffing wheels with the mandrel was straightforward. The 1/4" Hex Shank Mandrel fit snugly into my cordless drill, and attaching the buffing wheels was intuitive. However, I noticed that the screws securing the wheels to the mandrel needed extra tightening to prevent the wheels from slipping off during operation.

Performance on Metals

To test the kit’s effectiveness, I started with an old stainless steel protractor, which had accumulated tarnish over the years. Using the Tripoli compound stick, I noticed that while the stick did transfer to the buffing wheel, it required significant effort. I had to roughen the compound stick on sandpaper to get it to transfer more effectively.

Once the compound was on the wheel, the buffing process was relatively smooth. The protractor saw a noticeable improvement in shine, though it required frequent reapplication of the compound. The buffing wheels held up reasonably well, although they began to fray slightly with prolonged use.

Performance on Plastics

The next test involved polishing the plastic headlights of my car, which had turned foggy over time. I used the White Rouge compound for this task. Unfortunately, the results were underwhelming. The compound did not transfer well to the buffing wheel, and the wheel itself did not seem abrasive enough to make a significant impact on the foggy plastic. The headlights were slightly better after the process, but far from the crystal-clear finish I was hoping for.

Durability and Longevity

One of the most notable issues with the Ryobi Buffing Set is the durability of the buffing wheels. While they worked adequately for smaller tasks, they wore out quickly. The cloth material frayed and disintegrated with moderate pressure, limiting their usefulness for more extensive or demanding projects.

Moreover, the compounds themselves seemed to dry out quickly, making them increasingly difficult to apply to the buffing wheels. This was particularly frustrating when working on larger or more intricate items, as it required frequent reapplications and interruptions to roughen up the compound sticks.

Ease of Use

On the plus side, the Ryobi Buffing Set is generally easy to use. The mandrel's compatibility with drills and impact drivers adds convenience, allowing you to use the tool you already have on hand. The quick-connect feature of the mandrel was particularly helpful, making it easy to switch between different buffing wheels.

However, the instructions provided with the kit could have been clearer. For those unfamiliar with the nuances of different compounds and their appropriate uses, the lack of detailed guidance can be a stumbling block. More explicit instructions would be beneficial in helping users achieve the best results.

Final Thoughts

The Ryobi Buffing Set is a mixed bag. It offers convenience and ease of use, making it suitable for light-duty polishing and buffing tasks. If you have small metal items that need a bit of shine or minor tarnish removal, this kit can get the job done with some effort. The different compound sticks provide some versatility, although their effectiveness varies.

However, the durability of the buffing wheels and the usability of the compound sticks leave much to be desired. For larger projects or more demanding tasks, this set may fall short. The quick wear and tear of the buffing wheels and the hard, dried-out compounds can be frustrating and limit the overall effectiveness of the kit.

Recommendation

Would I recommend the Ryobi Buffing Set? If your needs are limited to occasional, small-scale polishing of metals, and you don't mind putting in a bit of extra effort, this kit could be a handy addition to your toolbox. Its compatibility with drills and impact drivers adds to its convenience.

However, for those looking for a more robust, durable solution for frequent or larger-scale polishing tasks, I would suggest exploring other options. The Ryobi Buffing Set shows promise but falls short in longevity and ease of use for more demanding applications.