Et tu, Brute? Would never have expected so many naysayers on a tool subject on a tool forum! Thank goodness there are people like me that are willing to invent and push the envelope; otherwise nothing would get accomplished in this country! I reject your reality and substitute my own!
I have numerous buffers. My application requires high speed that really only a grinder can provide.
I have a different backing flange, but it makes it even closer to the grinder itself than without it.
Is there a machinist union? Way to drum up business! lol The proper equipment IS an arbor extension, or more specifically, a spindle extension.
Grinders are damn sure dangerous. I've sustained numerous injurious from them over the years! Luckily none of them serious. The extender was, in fact, purchased from a company that specifically designed the product for the purpose of extending your rotating tool SAFELY away from your hands and body.
Grinders are indeed dangerous - no argument there! However, it's SAFER to use the proper tool, which in this case is an extender.
Using a cut off wheel and having it sling apart always adds a little excitement to one's day, doesn't it? lol Years ago I was helping a friend work on his hot rod. He was running a wire wheel on a grinder. He'd been running it for some time and next thing you know he hollering and turning the tool off. Believe it or not, but a tiny little wire from the wheel had slung out and literally pierced his lip. Went in through the front of his lip and was sticking out the other side in his mouth by his bottom teeth! Crazy! He was wearing safety glasses. After that, he was wearing safety glasses and a full face shield. lol!
So, to update my situation: I have located an extension. I was having a hard time finding one because I wasn't using the right key words in my searches. It's more specifically, or correctly, called a spindle extension and there are a dozen or more to choose from. Some are as much as a grinder itself!!! For anyone reading this and in my same boat, here is the one I wound up going with. It works like a charm and I don't have burnt up knuckles!!!!
https://zephyrpro40.com/-adapters-flanges-extenders/39-buffer-adapter-5-8-11-shaft-fits-buff-with-1-2-hole.html
Searching the Internet for "5/8-11 extender" will yield quite a few results. If you have a different sized spindle, type in your spindle size plus "extender" and you should be able to find what you're looking for.
This will be my first and last thread on these forums.