Garage sale

[Mark McGuire]

My brother stopped at a garage sale the other day. In it was this very large chest with all kinds of tools in it, and other tools around it. The guy told him 100 dollars for everything. He took it all. He found this in the chest and asked me if I wanted it so I said sure.
Its a Wen 7" sander/polisher. It is variable speed 0 to 1600 rpm's. Anyone know anything about this. I have been wanting to take the next step to a rotary. Would this be a good tool to learn on? It already has the velcro backing plate. Would this be considered a rotary? Any input is always apprecated. Didn't cost me anything, should I keep it or give it back? Thanks in advance.

[Rick]

Whether or not it's considered a rotary depends on if it turns or does something else. The only problem is the RPM range seems too low for rotray use. My Dewalt goes from 1800 to 3200 rpm I believe, plus the switch is a variable speed pull trigger as well. You can try it and see how it works, it might work alright with polishes, but I really don't think that speed will be enough to break down cleaners very well. Maybe Mike can give a better opinion.

[DETLMAN]

that shouls be ok for a starter considering the price. The dewalt starts at 1000 and goes to 3000 I rarely go over 1800 so 1600 should be fine. I usually buff at 1200 - 1400. Start with some light stuff and work your way into the more agressive stuff, if possible get a hood or other panel from a body shop or junk yard to practice on unless you have a beater car to practice on

[Mark McGuire]

Hey Rick, Detlman,
Thanks for the replys. Well you know how we are, I just could'nt wait, had to try it. It has a velcro backing plate so I stuck a P/C pad on it with some #83 and gave it a try. I started slow but it wanted to stick so I picked it up alittle and it got better but still seems like it needs to go faster. I ran it all the way up and it did better but it just seems like its not going fast enough. I don't think it will handle the bigger pads. I think it will do fine polishing but just not strong enough for the big stuff. But it might be me too. It might work fine for #9 and the polishes.
While I have you here. I bought some hand polish the other day. Have you noticed that you have to keep shaking it up to keep it from seperating or do I have a bad bottle.

[DETLMAN]

honestly I cant comment on the hand polish since I never use it. The only thing I ever do by hand ( and I dont usually do that ) is a last step product such as nxt.