Buying a buffer should be based on how much expierence you have. For the beginner the Porter Cable is a very safe and easy to use machine. It has many good features (variable speed, not super heavy) Probably the best random orbital available today.
For the more expierenced people there are high speed rotary buffers. These are certianly not for someone just starting out. But in the proper hands a rotary buffer can produce stunning results.
