Parma Diversified Technologies Buffing System
This is a review of the Parma Buffing System. I actually purchased the system from Parma way back in 2002. I promised to review it then, but, shortly thereafter I moved to Virginia and am just now getting around to doing the review.
Before purchasing the Parma system, I had used a buffing system from Stewart-McDonald. It was a very good buffer but its’ shaft length was just too short unless you were buffing the body and neck separately.
The Parma system came in two packages and the five foot 1 1/4" steel shaft wrapped in its’ own packaging. Everything was packaged very well.
When I opened the packages I found quite a few parts.
The parts from Parma for the actual buffer included the 1 1/4" threaded arbor (available in 4,5, or 6 ft lengths), a right and left hand nut, two solid steel shaft collars, four solid steel flange plates (8" diameter), two pillowing bearing blocks with integrated grease fittings, an adjustable bushing & sheave (pulley) 4" in diameter, set of four 16" flannel buffs, four mounting bolts with nuts and washers, an Arbor speed chart, instructions, and an adjustable nut wrench. It did not include the motor, v-belt or stand. These you had to either obtain from another source or build yourself. I chose to build the stand myself. The motor for my buffer came from Grizzly.
Assembly was pretty straightforward. Parma’s instructions were very good and made the assembly very easy. The most difficult part was making the wooden stand.
But, it went together without any major problems. The real test would be in how it functioned in the real world. However, for purposes of this review, I think it important to show the reader the comparisons in the size between the old Stewart MacDonald buffer (and a new Shop Fox unit) and this new Parma. My unit contained the five foot threaded arbor since it seemed just the right size for my applications.
The biggest difference, of course, is the the overall size of the unit. There is now more than enough space to adequately buff out a complete instrument, rather than just a neck or body. I was anxious to try the new unit when it was finally complete!
It is now two years later. I quickly sold the Stewart MacDonald unit since it was not in the same league as this buffer. The buffer works beautifully with very little vibration. Because the unit is so much more massive and because it is bolted to the floor you can really lean into the buffing process. Stew-Mac's ¾”dia. X 27”L arbor system will flex when you “lean on it” and simply does not give ample clearance when polishing entire guitar bodies. These problems are solved with the Parma Buffer and its' massive 1 1/4" shaft. The huge diameter arbor does not flex when under pressure and the added length and increased diameter of the buffing wheel makes ALL the difference in delivering that factory “mirror” finish every time, in less than half the time! If I had to compare the two, it would be much like comparing buffing by hand with liquid compound compared to the Stew-Mac unit. That is how much better the finish is with the Parma unit. The unit is solid and very well made. The unit still appears to work as well as it did when it was new and seems as though it will last a lifetime. A terrific tool and and absolute necessity for any aspiring instrument maker!