Somebody school me on machines...

[Ol' Red]

I don't know if they are called polishers, rotaries, random orbital's or what. What is the difference between a PC and the different kinds of PC's, G110 or any other G with a number after it, Flex's and the difference between all of them. What does each one do? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

I am an amateur and have been working by hand but I want to be able to learn how to do some of the serious paint correction technigues eventually, and know I probably can't do any of this by hand. I also want to start my own business in a few years once I learn what I am doing, and need to know what tools.machines to use. Sorry for the long post and thanks for the help.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

To put it very simply,

Two types:rotary buffer and Dual action polisher.

The rotary buffer is directly driven,and just spins in a circular motion.In the wrong hands,can burn through paint.

The DA's have an eccentric rotation,to avoid burning through the paint.As it spins,like the rotary,the mechanism also moves from side to side,making the pad have a wobbly effect.This avoids excessive heat build up in one spot and is safer to use.

The difference between makes and models is what you prefer,and how much you are willing to pay.

I'd say the rotary is a more versatile tool,but you'll need to practice on old hoods to master it.I've had a few goes and did okay.I didn't do any damage,but I'd still practice on an old hood again before I touch any cars

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

Here are a couple of good threads that will get you started...

Rotary vs DA Polisher vs Traditional Orbital Buffer

Can a Rotary Buffer like a Makita or DeWalt be as Idiot-proof as a PC?

These and more can be found in the List O Links under "Working by Machine" and "Working by Dual Action Polisher".

[john m.]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

Are you wanting to buy a machine? If so I highly suggest the Meguiars G110 which is a DA (dual action) or the G100 which is essentialy the same thing as the porter cable 7424. All of which are DA's. The rotary is good for heavy correction but takes practice as in the wrong hands it can do more harm than good. And the DA's are just idiot proof basically And random orbitals are really only good for waxing and wax removal as they really dont have much power.

Hope that helps a little

[john m.]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

^ Ah mike I was just about to go searchin for those

[Andy M.]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

Here is another great thread on this topic.

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Machine Photos - DA Polishers - Rotary Buffers - Traditional Orbital Buffers

Andy M.

[Bounty]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

Wow that's a loaded question...not going to touch that one.

[Tuck91]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

Wow that's a loaded question...not going to touch that one.

Im sure you probably have the best answer though

[Eddie6th]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

Here are a couple of good threads that will get you started...

Rotary vs DA Polisher vs Traditional Orbital Buffer

Can a Rotary Buffer like a Makita or DeWalt be as Idiot-proof as a PC?

These and more can be found in the List O Links under "Working by Machine" and "Working by Dual Action Polisher".

Hi Mike,I've watched these links before and will watch them again.So having them here is usefull.
I'm still dithering about my choice of DA.
I asked on the forum a couple of nights ago,if anyone had heard of Festool Rotex 150.It's available in the states,too.It's not listed in Mike Phillips list(probably was written a while back).

Do you have any advice on this model?

It's an expensive machine,but I've got some bodyshop buddies could possibly get the price knocked down a good bit.

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

I asked on the foum a couple of nights ago,if anyone had heard of Festool Rotex 150.It's available in the states,too.It's not listed in Mike Phillips list(probably was written a while back).

Do you have any advice on this model?

I have not had any experience with the machine you listed...sorry...

Maybe someone else will can chime in with experienceon that machine..

Mike

[Eddie6th]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

I have not had any experience with the machine you listed...sorry...

Maybe someone else will can chime in with experienceon that machine..

Mike

Okay,thanks Mike.

[ZoranC]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

I asked on the forum a couple of nights ago,if anyone had heard of Festool Rotex 150.It's available in the states,too.It's not listed in Mike Phillips list(probably was written a while back).

Do you have any advice on this model?

I had it. In brief, I ended up very unhappy with it and returned it back. It is a great sander but I did not find it fit for car polishing, quite the opposite. If you need more detail why it can be found in my old posts on forums.

[Bounty]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

I had it. In brief, I ended up very unhappy with it and returned it back. It is a great sander but I did not find it fit for car polishing, quite the opposite. If you need more detail why it can be found in my old posts on forums.

Zoran...good to see you back and posting. Always nice to have a fellow Flex user around so I don't get lonely...

[Eddie6th]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

I had it. In brief, I ended up very unhappy with it and returned it back. It is a great sander but I did not find it fit for car polishing, quite the opposite. If you need more detail why it can be found in my old posts on forums.

Hi Zoran,Thanks for the info..

Apart from the cost,I was thinking along those lines.

As a sander,it does the Biz.

I'd be happy to read your old posts.On this Forum or others? Same user name?

[the other pc]

Re: Somebody school me on machines...

....I asked on the forum a couple of nights ago,if anyone had heard of Festool Rotex 150.It's available in the states,too.It's not listed in Mike Phillips list(probably was written a while back).

Do you have any advice on this model?

It's an expensive machine,but I've got some bodyshop buddies could possibly get the price knocked down a good bit.

The Festool Rotex machines can be switched back and forth between random orbit (DA) and forced orbit operation (like the Flex 3401). Makita also makes a similar machine, the BO6040.

A few years back we a member in the Netherlands, DetailManiac, who posted a number of jobs he did with a Festool.


pc.