How Important is Power?

[Dav_C]

There are various Rotary Machines in the market.

The Output : 600Watt - 1400Watt
The RPM range : 0-2400 or 1000-3000
Weight : 2.2kg - 3.5kg

My Questions:

1. Is it important to get the most powerful one? Rated as highest Wattage means better?
2. Is it important for the machine to be able to operate at 0-1,000 rpm range also (instead of start from 1,000)?
3. Is heavier machines better to work with?

I'm moving up from a Flex 3401 to Rotary to learn how to handle more difficult paint restorations.

[Jokeman]

Re: How Important is Power?

Most people go with the Makita 9227. Not sure what the voltage is in Singapore. Also, in the states the motors are rated in Amps, so Im not really sure about the wattage.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: How Important is Power?

Hey dav_c

I used to use a DW849 but just wasn't comfortable with it, And then bought a 9227 makita and like the fact that it had a slow start, and started at 600 rpm.

The dewalt has 8 Amps / makita has 10 Amps
weight: 8.25lbs / weight:6.6lbs
length:17.3" / length:18.1/2"

1)No,No
2)I like the fact that the makita goes down to 600 Rpm for slow polishing,and don't build up as much heat.
3)Some like the extra weight of the machine for the cleaning step to just let the weight of the machine do the work. To me though after using the machine for a couple hours the 8.25lbs felt like it was more like 12 to 15lbs.

Just my opinion on these two machines more will answer that has used all and will give more info, just my two cents.

LATER

[Dav_C]

Re: How Important is Power?

The Makita 9227 and Dewalt 849 in 220V version are rated at 5A. Power Input about 1100W, Output about 700W.

http://www.dewalt.co.uk/powertools/productdetails/catno/DW849/

The only rotary machine that is rated at high power in 220V version is the Flex 602 VR with Output of about 1000W, but their price is like 50% more than Dewalt/Makita in Singapore.

Hence I would like to know if anyone can enlighten me the importance of range of rpm, power, weight.

[yalerd]

Re: How Important is Power?

To me though after using the machine for a couple hours the 8.28lbs felt like it was more like 12 to 15lbs

It happens to me also. As well I have the Makita 9227

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How Important is Power?

The Makita 9227 and Dewalt 849 in 220V version are rated at 5A. Power Input about 1100W, Output about 700W.

http://www.dewalt.co.uk/powertools/productdetails/catno/DW849/

The only rotary machine that is rated at high power in 220V version is the Flex 602 VR with Output of about 1000W, but their price is like 50% more than Dewalt/Makita in Singapore.

Hence I would like to know if anyone can enlighten me the importance of range of rpm, power, weight.

Might be time for our resident engineer to step in...

Besides all the technical information, when it comes to putting your hands on the buffer, turning it on and buffing out a car, you're mostly going buff around the 1500 rpm setting. Maybe you'll go down to a 1000 rpms maybe as high as 1800 rpms but most paint correction can be done in the 1300 rpm to 1600 rpm range.

I think I buff most cars out around 1400 to 1500 rpms

Too slow a speed and it will be hard to hold and control the buffer as it will tend to want to walk you around, too fast and you'll heat up the paint, especially on an edge and burn through the paint.

[Dav_C]

Re: How Important is Power?

Hello Mike,

Thanks for your tips.

How about the power of the motor? Is there any advantage in using a more powerful motor over less power motor? (even they all operates within that 1,000-1,800rpm range).

David.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How Important is Power?

Power or amps are important but as long as it's in an acceptable range for what the tool is designed for you should be okay. Having the appropriate amount of amps will insure the tool won't bog down under pressure, or over time when it gets hot.

My guess would be any "Name Brand" rotary buffer designed for the electrical current of your country should work just fine.

When using a rotary buffer you're not grinding on paint but massaging defects out.

[retrofinisher]

Re: How Important is Power?

Okay- power wise Amps = watts divided by volts.

That said the singapore 1000 Watt unit at 220 is about the same as the USA unit of 5Amps.

To me bigger disk pad size is somewhat "inversely" relative to power.

say a 5 inch disc to a 10 inch disc.

As the diameter gets bigger the "more power" is needed to buff at a constant speed. That's because of the torque drag resistance of a 10" disc will proportionately need more than the 5" disc.

Torque= force x radius

To complicate it- the speed of a 10" disc edge spins much faster than the 5" disc at the same RPM.

The economy 10 inch buffer at .5 amps and 2000 rpm is wimpy to a 5 or 6" disc at 3500 rpm. Buffing drag can quickly slow down the "advertised free speed to slow slow or stoped.

blah blah blah...motor power is just one factor.

speed, user applied force, type of motor, electronic speed control, polish material, motor cooling, bearings...etc. including pad or bonnet quality and surface friction.

[Dav_C]

Re: How Important is Power?

Thanks guys for the information.

I see, there is no need to use the rotary buffer for rpm of lower than 1,000?

If that is true, most likely I'll get the Flex3403.

[Dav_C]

Re: How Important is Power?

Can't resist the temptation of power.....finally went for the Flex L602 VR. Just tried it on Saturday. It's just like what everybody said before: Works faster, heats up panel faster, more likely to hop etc etc.......

M80 is very effective with W8006. Maybe the paint is really soft (30-day-old), once I apply some pressure the result is not swirl free. Need to lighten up the pressure after a couple of passes, then I got swirl free result. Very happy.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How Important is Power?

Also maybe try using a less aggressive cleaner/polish for your finishing work instead of M80 as it doesn't always leave a swirl free finish on clear coats when applied with a rotary buffer.

M82 or M09 will usually finish out a lot nicer with a finishing pad with a rotary buffer.

Nice looking tools...

[Dav_C]

Re: How Important is Power?

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the tips.

With a DA, I can get swirl free with #83 (But back then it was factory paint). Actually I didn't expect to see any swirl leftover with #80 because all Meguiars (maybe not the M86) is working based on deminishing abrasive? Perhaps also it's because the paint is only 30-day-old, perhaps it's the speed of the rotary.

I was thinking that because M80 contains polishing oil like #7, then it would be good for my 30-day-old paint because I can't apply wax, some polishing oil is good?

[H.E.D]

Re: How Important is Power?

how about the metabo pe 12-175? any comments

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: How Important is Power?

A very nice feature of the Flex is the electronics. It is a constant torque unit which means as pressure is applied or load is increased from Resistance the controls delivers more voltage to the motor to maintain constance torque or twisting force. Flex is truly a well engineered machine I have had my model CK 603 VE for about 12 years.