Thanks for the tips, guys! I know this buffer is not ideal but it's what I could afford and justify for now. The wheels did not come with the buffer from HF per the original owner, but I don't know any more than that the ordered them "online somewhere." The sewn wheel looks 'soft' so I assume it isn't Sisal.
Should I just discard the loose wheel and get something else, or is it worth keeping and using for anything?