Kestrel DAS-6

[l SIC l]

Does anyone know how good this DA is? I am considering to either purchase this or the Meguiar's G220 (difference is $150 - G220 being the more expensive option).
I am looking to use this as a regular polisher/cutter for my family's cars i.e. 20+ times per year .

Can anyone give me any limitations/defects of this product compared to the G220 and if anyone knows some similar DA's in relation to the Kestrel DAS-6 that might be a better option, that will be appreciated as well.

Cheers.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

That is an amazing price for what looks like a knock off of the Griot's D/A tool - the side mounted power switch is the giveaway there. The specs seem to be on par with many popular D/A tools too.... but that price is so low it's almost scary! Unfortunately, we have no direct experience with this particular tool.

A quick Google search shows a lot of places in the UK selling this tool so you might want to check with a Brit detailing forum and see if any of their members have experience with it.

[Lasthope05]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Get the "pro" version of the DAS-6 if you can as it is the same as the griots machine in terms of amperage and OPM. The regular one has lower spec ratings that are similar to the original PCs.

[gmck]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Did you contact the guys at waxit?

Does anyone know how good this DA is?

I thought I'd already mentioned it!!!

It is a very popular DA in Australia and in the UK. The Pro would be even better, but the older unit still does a really good job at correction work. I know the Pro is coming in Australia, but I don't know when. However even when it does, I'm not likely to replace mine as it already has enough power.

I can't see the value with the Megs unit if you have to pay $150 more because the specs are about the same. Don't forget there is no justification for the Meg's price in Australia and I'd also presume NZ - just a rip off by a lazy/greedy distributor.

[l SIC l]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Thanks for that information guys, I will definitely be going through some UK forums and comparing it to some other options available. Same as the PC? I think I've heard somewhere that they aren't a very good option, is that right?

[FRS]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Did you contact the guys at waxit?



I thought I'd already mentioned it!!!

It is a very popular DA in Australia and in the UK. The Pro would be even better, but the older unit still does a really good job at correction work. I know the Pro is coming in Australia, but I don't know when. However even when it does, I'm not likely to replace mine as it already has enough power.

I can't see the value with the Megs unit if you have to pay $150 more because the specs are about the same. Don't forget there is no justification for the Meg's price in Australia and I'd also presume NZ - just a rip off by a lazy/greedy distributor.

I hope Megs is looking for a new distributor in Australia, as this is UNBEARABLE in terms of pricing.

A scandalous RIP-OFF!

[Woodie6250]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

This machine is sold as a Shield (local car care brand in the mold of Armor All) in South Africa.

For a local detailer's perspective and review - Shield DAS 6 Review

[l SIC l]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Thanks a lot for that Woodie! That was very insightful and just what I was looking for, especially some of the responses as well!

[Zeta Detail]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

The Kestrel DAS-6 is very popular in Europe. I own one and I'm very happy with it. Light weight, easy to use and very safe. While far from what a rotary can do, the correcting power of the DAS-6 can be quite surprising and it allows for a lot of playing with different combinations of buffing pads and polishing emulsions. It's a machine that will give you satisfaction for many years to come. As a negative note I'd say that it vibrates too much.

I'd choose the Pro version (850 W power) since it's been available for several months already and on-line reviews seem to be being very good.

As far as I know this orbital polisher is sold under different brands: Kestrel, Griot's, Krauss, Ez-Polisher... but they're all manufactured by the same company in China. If you order a big enough number of machines you could have them branded with your own personal brand and sell them.

[l SIC l]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

So you reckon for an 18 year old who wants to use this as his first D/A with a big range of Meguiar's car care consumer products to experiment with and maintain 4 family vehicles and some other cars also (that's a mouth full heh), this will be a good option to begin with? If so, I will be buying one first thing in the morning

Please don't hesitate to tell me if you didn't understand that

[Zeta Detail]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

So you reckon for an 18 year old who wants to use this as his first D/A with a big range of Meguiar's car care consumer products to experiment with and maintain 4 family vehicles and some other cars also (that's a mouth full heh), this will be a good option to begin with?

Yes!

You just can't go wrong with it. Orbitals (and I'm not necessarily endorsing Kestrel over any other brand such as the Meg's G220) are great tools full of possibilities not only for beginning polishing but to keep doing it satisfactorily for many years.

I've written before in this forum that in my opinion the future in polishing will be combining the correction power of a rotary with the safety and ease of use of an orbital. Maybe the new and still mysterious DA Microfiber System represents a step in that direction.

Here's a "before & after" picture of some sanding and polishing on an airplane's canopy done with my DAS-6:

[butch]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Does anyone know how good this DA is? I am considering to either purchase this or the Meguiar's G220 (difference is $150 - G220 being the more expensive option).
I am looking to use this as a regular polisher/cutter for my family's cars i.e. 20+ times per year .

Can anyone give me any limitations/defects of this product compared to the G220 and if anyone knows some similar DA's in relation to the Kestrel DAS-6 that might be a better option, that will be appreciated as well.

Cheers.

Another option is the Ryobi ERO750VK
I use it and it works perfectly. Also a top detailer in NZ (Alan) uses it and they won the NZ Intermarque Concours 'Top Team' member 2010 for Michael's Porsche 911T
And it's only $134NZD from Bunnings, compared to $300 for the Kestral and $460 for the G220.

[l SIC l]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Great result right there! I just purchased myself one of these Kestrel DAS-6 polishers today

[l SIC l]

Re: Kestrel DAS-6

Just making sure before I purchase - the Meguiar's 3" backing plate will work with my new Kestrel DAS-6 right? and the 5" backing plate that comes with the D/A will be compatible with the 6.5" Meguiar's foam 2.0 pads?

@Butch - Sorry man, didn't even see your post before I made the purchase! That is a great result for such a fairly priced D/A eh! All-in-all I'm sure that my purchase was a good choice and hopefully will last me a long time to come (even though I would've considered the Ryobi as well).

Cheers,
Shaarn