I started out with a PSI Acrylic Pen Buffing System which has two, 4-inch buffing wheels. One is a cotton wheel and the other is a flanel wheel along with a stick of their "blue" buffing compound. It worked as described; however, I am lazy by nature and didn't like fussing around with my headstock and tailstock to set it up, so....
I bought a RIKON model 81-608, 8-inch Low Speed Buffer when they went on sale. It has a 1/2 HP motor with a no load speed of 1750 RPM and two long 5/8 inch arbor shafts and a couple of 8-inch wheels.
Considering that it was 1750 RPM and that the PSI system recommended 1200 to 1700 RPM I figured I would be pretty close if I used 4-inch wheels. Then, I found inexpensive 6-inch buffing wheels at our Menards store and thought I would give them a try. For the first wheel I use a Spiral Sewn wheel (Firm) that is a little more rigid than the Loose Sewn (Soft) that I use as the second wheel. They were on close out so I bought a few spares of each.
The 6-inch wheels had a 1-inch hole in them so I used my lathe to turn a 1-inch to 5/8-inch adapter and a couple of large washers to mount them to the buffer's arbors. The wheels are only 3/4-inch thick so I thought about doubling them up to give me a wider surface to buff against, but so far it hasn't seemed necessary.
Overall, I'm pleased with the buffer and the big box store buffing wheels. (I still use the PSI "blue" buffing bar on the first wheel though). - Dave
Here is my setup: