Recommended rotary vs cheap rotary

[caseypayne69]

Thank you guys for your input.

I found this, since it was mentioned above.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-...der-92623.html
The Chicago electric.

Says it's a 10 amp that does 200 to 3,300 rpm
Not sure if these are good stats.

Couple questions on his model and I won't bug the rotary forum any more.
This Chicago, will it work with meguairs backing plates etc? If it doesn't work with Meguiars I don't want it. People were braggin about the 300 rpm of the Mak model yet this does 200. Isn't this a good thing?

[greg0303]

Thank you guys for your input.

I found this, since it was mentioned above.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-...der-92623.html
The Chicago electric.

Says it's a 10 amp that does 200 to 3,300 rpm
Not sure if these are good stats.

Couple questions on his model and I won't bug the rotary forum any more.
This Chicago, will it work with meguairs backing plates etc? If it doesn't work with Meguiars I don't want it. People were braggin about the 300 rpm of the Mak model yet this does 200. Isn't this a good thing?

It has universal thread 5/8"-11 so it will work with Meguiar's W68 backing plate.
I'm not sure if any speeds below 500 rpm will be usable. Maybe for super slow wax application but that even sounds too slow. I guess those slow rotations are for sanding mode.

[caseypayne69]

Oh and can you wax with this? Or is that a DA orbital job?

[greg0303]

Oh and can you wax with this? Or is that a DA orbital job?

Yes, you can spread wax with this machine if you want. However DA, orbital or hand application will be easier to execute.
No, there's no orbital action, only rotation. It's a direct-driven rotary buffer.

[ClearlyCoated]

I just can't get over the price. $30 vs $190. Wish I knew of a model that was almost as good as the best but only $100 bucks. And like you said low rpm.

Buy a used Makita 9227c. I bought one for $93 on eBay and I know Makita's reliability will allow me to continue using it for many more years.

[Still Learnin]

I own a Makita 9227c and recently acquired a new Drill Masters rotary from harbor freight from a good friend of mine... Its always good to have a back up rotary switching backing plates back n forth isnt fun... Joe Fernadez also uses Harbor Freight rotaries (sorry Joe had to put you on blast) its all about technique. Get what your wallet will allow

[caseypayne69]

What's the difference a person would see in results of using on of the three recommended rotarys or buying a cheap $30 rotary? Will a cheap one still clear up sand paper scratches and be able to bolt on meguiar plates and buff pads?

I own a Makita 9227c and recently acquired a new Drill Masters rotary from harbor freight from a good friend of mine... Its always good to have a back up rotary switching backing plates back n forth isnt fun... Joe Fernadez also uses Harbor Freight rotaries (sorry Joe had to put you on blast) its all about technique. Get what your wallet will allow

Looks like a hot item on eBay. Every used one for $50 has 15 bids.

[BillyJack]

Caseypayne69,
Here's a few threads that may be of interest to you:
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10662
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...=rotary+speeds

I've seen another chart with Meg's products and recommended rotary speeds, but can't find it at the moment.

BTW, If you really have the urge to try out the HF rotary, have at it!
I used to do a little weekend detailing as supplemental income many years ago.
I've been using the same Rockwell rotary since the 70's, when Rockwell owned Porter-Cable and was branding the P-C tools with the Rockwell name. It weighs in at 10 1/2 lbs. and is a single-speed 2000 rpm. The thing will probably outlive me. Since I now only do my own cars and a few for friends & family, I decided to do a cheap experiment to see if I could justify purchasing a variable-speed rotary, so I bought a Chicago Rotary as an opened-box deal for under $25. Overall, it's a real piece of ****. It's noisy, probably due to the cheap gears and bushings, and bogs down with any load. However, the speed selector wheel is easy to access, so I use it as a soft-start switch, and just bump up the speed when necessary. At only 6 1/2 lbs., it's a lot less tiring than my old Rockwell. Until I find a deal on a used DeWalt or Makita, this is my go-to buffer for everything but serious paint correction. So if your itching for a trainer rotary, go ahead and make your best deal on a Chicago POS. If you decide a rotary's not your thing, at least you won't have risked any serious expense. Just don't expect it to last forever.

Bill

[sontakke]

Thank you guys for your input.

I found this, since it was mentioned above.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-...der-92623.html
The Chicago electric.

Says it's a 10 amp that does 200 to 3,300 rpm
Not sure if these are good stats.

Couple questions on his model and I won't bug the rotary forum any more.
This Chicago, will it work with meguairs backing plates etc? If it doesn't work with Meguiars I don't want it. People were braggin about the 300 rpm of the Mak model yet this does 200. Isn't this a good thing?

that is exactly what I used. I also used 20% off coupon, so it was $24. I think you can afford to have this as a spare when you upgrade. The next model up unfortunately is almost double but it does have electronic speed control.

Buy the following from Amazon ($35):-

Meguiars W64 rotary backing plate
Meguiars W7006 cutting pad and
Meguiars W8006 polishing pad

Those will cost you more than your rotary buffer! Then pick up Meguiars Ultimate Compount and SwirlX from Walmart/AutoZone/Advanced Auto for $15. So you have already spent $75 and you still have to buy carwash, clay, towels, brushes. This is getting expensive, isn't it :-)

Given that you have an older car to practice, go for it. When people ask should I buy a Mercedes or a Kia, what do you tell them? HF Rotary vs Makita issue is similar. They both will get you where you want to go.

- Vikas

[caseypayne69]

Thanks all. And I know you car ability was just that. But my luxury car brand of choice would be BMW M series or Cadilac V series. But yea Kia really ****. Favorite sports car is the Viper GTS followed by Corvette (C5), Mustangs, than lastly Camaros. Might be in getting a 05 to 11 Mustang GT in the next two years. Or wait on 2014 50th anniversary Mustang.