Rikon 81-608 8″ x 1-3/8″ Wide Low Speed Buffer

The Rikon 81-608 8-inch low speed buffer is built for polishing, buffing, and finish work on wood, metal, plastics, hardware, jewelry, and similar materials. It features a 1/2 HP induction motor, 1,750 RPM no-load speed, long shafts for better workpiece clearance, two 8-inch cotton buffing wheels, and support for buffing wheels up to 1-3/8 inches wide.

The Rikon 81-608 is designed for users who need a dedicated low speed buffer with more working room around the wheels than a standard short-shaft machine provides. RIKON’s current product page describes it as an 8-inch low speed, long shaft buffer for polishing surfaces of wood, metal, plastics, hardware, rocks, jewelry, and more. Its 1/2 HP induction motor runs at 1,750 RPM no load, which helps control heat buildup while buffing finishes and polished surfaces.

A few details stand out for buyers comparing bench buffers. The long shafts extend well out from the motor housing to give extra clearance when moving larger or awkward workpieces around the wheel. The machine includes two cotton buffing wheels, spacers, flanges, and arbor nuts, and the base has mounting holes for permanent installation on a bench or stand. It is a practical fit for polishing wood turnings, sharpening and buffing edged tools, cleaning metal parts, and finish work where a slower buffing speed is preferred.

Rikon 8″ x 1-3/8″ Wide Low Speed Buffer At a Glance

• 1/2 HP Induction Motor: Provides steady power for polishing and buffing work.
• Low Speed 1,750 RPM: Helps reduce overheating on finishes and polished surfaces.
• Long Shaft Design: Gives more room to move projects around the buffing wheels.
• Two 8″ Cotton Buffing Wheels Included: Ships ready for basic buffing setup out of the box.
• Max Wheel Width 1-3/8″: Accepts wider buffing wheel setups than a basic 1/2-inch wheel arrangement.
• Toggle Switch with Safety Lock: Helps prevent unauthorized startup.
• Bench-Mount Base: Base includes mounting holes for secure installation.
• Good for Wood, Metal, Plastic, and Hardware: Built for general polishing and finish work across multiple materials.

Quick Specs

• Brand: RIKON
• Manufacturer Part Number: 81-608
• UPC: 814463012957
• Power Source: Corded electric
• Voltage: 120V, 60 Hz, 1Ph
• Amperage: 2.5A
• Motor: 1/2 HP induction
• Wheel Diameter: 8″
• Max Wheel Width: 1-3/8″
• Speed: 1,750 RPM no load
• Weight: 23 lbs net

Markets

• Woodturning Shops: Useful for buffing finishes on bowls, pens, and spindle projects. This is a practical use inference from the product purpose and wheel size.
• Metalworking and Hardware Cleanup: Suitable for polishing metal parts and hardware surfaces.
• Jewelry and Small Parts Polishing: Long shafts provide better access around smaller detailed pieces. This is a practical use inference from the long-shaft layout and stated applications.
• Home Workshops: Compact bench format works well where floor space is limited.
• Maintenance Benches: Good fit for buffing, cleanup, and light polishing of shop items and tools. This is a practical use inference from the machine type and included wheels

The Rikon 81-608 is a practical choice for buyers who want a dedicated low speed buffer instead of adapting a grinder for polishing work. Its 1,750 RPM speed is better suited to buffing finishes and polished surfaces than a faster machine, and the long shaft layout gives noticeably more working room around the wheels when handling awkward or wider parts. For users polishing wood turnings, metal hardware, or shop-made projects, that extra clearance matters.

It also keeps the setup straightforward. The buffer includes two cotton wheels, spacers, flanges, and arbor nuts, and the base can be mounted to a bench or stand for more stable operation. For buyers searching for an 8-inch buffer, low speed buffer, or long shaft polishing buffer, the 81-608 covers the core needs without adding unnecessary complexity.

Rikon 81-608 8″ x 1-3/8″ Wide Low Speed Buffer Features

• 1/2 HP Motor: Provides steady buffing power for finish and polishing work.
• Low Speed 1,750 RPM: Helps control heat on finishes and polished surfaces.
• Long Shaft Buffer Design: Extra shaft length improves clearance around the wheels.
• 8″ Buffing Wheel Diameter: Supports a practical wheel size for general shop polishing.
• Max Buffing Wheel Width 1-3/8″: Allows wider wheel setups than the included 1/2-inch wheels.
• Toggle Switch with Safety Lock: Helps prevent unauthorized or accidental use.
• Clockwise Rotation from Left Side View: Matches the published operating specification for the machine.
• 30 Minute Recommended Run Time: Gives users a clearer duty-use guideline for shop work.
• Bench Mount Base: Built with mounting holes for secure installation.

Compatible Accessories / Works Well With

• RIKON P81-608-3 8″ Spiral Sewn Replacement Buffing Wheel: Official replacement buffing wheel for this model.
• RIKON 80-910 Optional Buffer Stand: Official stand shown by RIKON for the 81-608.
• RIKON 12-201 LED Gooseneck Worklight: Official accessory shown by RIKON with this buffer family.
• Buffing Compound and Buffing Rake: Compound use and wheel cleanup with a rake or stiff wire brush during normal operation.
• Wider Buffing Wheels up to 1-3/8″: Published maximum wheel width allows broader buffing setups when properly mounted.

Rikon 81-608 8″ x 1-3/8″ Wide Low Speed Buffer Includes

• (1) Buffer
• (2) Arbor Spacers
• (4) Wheel Flanges
• (2) 8″ Cotton Buffing Wheels
• (2) Arbor Nuts, Left M16LH and Right M16RH
• (1) Owner’s manual

Rikon 81-608 8″ x 1-3/8″ Wide Low Speed Buffer Specifications

• Brand: RIKON
• Manufacturer Part Number: 81-608
• UPC: 814463012957
• Product Type: Low speed buffer
• Motor Power: 1/2 HP, 120V, 2.5A, 60Hz, 1Ph, induction
• Motor RPM: 1,750 RPM no load
• Recommended Run Time: 30 minutes
• Motor Arbor Diameter: 17mm in the manual specification table, while RIKON’s spindle/arbor specification sheet lists 15.88mm for the 81-608. Since RIKON’s spindle/arbor sheet is model-specific and matches 5/8-inch accessory language, I would treat 15.88mm / 5/8″ as the customer-facing arbor size.
• Arbor Threading: M16LH / M16RH
• Buffing Wheel Size: 8″ diameter x 1/2″ wide x 5/8″ bore
• Max Buffing Wheel Width: 1-3/8″
• Buffing Wheel Speed: 1,750 RPM
• Rotation: Clockwise viewed from left side
• Power Cord: 18 AWG, 6 ft
• Overall Length: 22-1/2″
• Overall Width: 7-3/4″
• Overall Height: 9-1/2″
• Overall Base Size: 8-3/4″ x 7-3/4″ in the manual spec table; RIKON’s base-dimensions sheet shows an approximate 9″ x 7-7/8″ layout for pre-drilling reference. I would use the manual base size for main specs and the drawing only as an installation guide.
• Mounting Holes: 7/16″ diameter, 7-3/4″ apart in the manual; the base-dimensions drawing shows approximately 7-3/4″ center spacing and 13/32″ holes. Use the machine-on-hand for final drilling layout.
• Net Weight: 23 lbs

Rikon 81-608 8″ x 1-3/8″ Wide Low Speed Buffer Warranty

• Rikon’s 2-Year Limited Warranty

Why Customers Choose the Rikon 8″ x 1-3/8″ Wide Low Speed Buffer

Customers choose the Rikon 81-608 because it gives them a dedicated polishing buffer with slower speed and longer shafts than many compact bench units. That combination makes it easier to work around finished wood pieces, hardware, and metal parts without crowding the motor housing or building heat as quickly as a faster machine might.

It also stands out because it is straightforward to equip and mount. With cotton wheels included, standard flanges and spacers, and a bench-mount base, it is easy to set up for routine polishing work. For buyers searching for an 8-inch buffer, long shaft buffer, or low speed polishing buffer, the 81-608 is a strong fit.