Which Rotary to Buy?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Yep, you will need the Meguiar's W-64 for the 6.5" pads. When just starting out, I would suggest using the 6.5" pads as they are easier to control.

Rotary Buffer Backing Plates




Tim

[cheapthrills]

Originally posted by tdekany
Tim - my Makita came with both handles

Could you use both on the rotary?

I could not decide which to go with, But I held the side handle one at loews and it felt nice. If you could use both that would be great!

[Rick]

Well everyone seems to like the Mikita. I've got a DeWalt, which so far has been great. They seem to be about $190ish online. I've never used the Mikita, but the DeWalt is deffinitely a good buffer, and a workhorse. My dad's car lot is hard on buffers and despite any basic care they seem to last longer than any else.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

You could not use them at the same time! But seriously, I do not know if the thread size is the same or not. I will take the side handle off of my other Makita and see if it threads into where the bail handle mounts. I will let you know!

Tim

[cheapthrills]

2hotford Thanks

Rick
I really like dewalt tools, and yes they are durable. I have a compound miter chop saw and a 18v cordless drill. Even Though the battery died after a year The drill is still very good quality, I just replaced the battery and it was fine.

I just seem to like the makita a little better, I held both machines in my hands at loews and the makita felt more comfy, also doesn't the makita have slow start up? where the dewalt kick in full speed ahead? I think this might help me as a begginer, what do you think?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Since I have the Dewalt and 2 Makitas, there are differences with each, both good and bad.

Both units are very durable. The Makita does have a clutched start which prevents the buffer from a full-on start up. This feature is helpful especially if you are learning on the buffer.

Tim

[Beercan31]

I also Have the Makita 9227C and it came with both types of handles and a carrying case (kinda like a gym bag) but I prefer not to use the handles at all.
IMHO I feel I have better control over the rotary than with them on.

I like the fact that you can use the variable speed trigger or pre select the max speed setting, pull the trigger and the rotary winds up to speed some what slowly. it's not a jump up to max speed like a bench grinder would be.

[Desertdawg]

Just being a hobbiest, I couldnt see myself spending big bucks on a rotory that would only get used maybe 3 times a year...

I found a rotory that seems to be well made and so far it has help up just fine. I ordered it last year, and after using it on my crewcab dually, I can say that it handled all that I could throw at it. No slowing down and never got hot.

http://www.properautocare.com/veprcipo.html

I'm not sure how it would hold up in a professional setting, but for the price, maybe one of you guys could try it out.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Desertdawg,

You have made a good point! If a person is only using the rotary for their own car/truck, perhaps once or twice a year, the rotary you mentioned may be all that is needed.

Tim

[Rick]

cheapthrills,

I'm not 100% sure what your saying with the startup, but the switch is more of a trigger so you can pull it very lightly and get it to come on almost as slowly as you want.

I honestly probably wouldn't own my own rotary is I wasn't able to get it so cheaply. Here's the situation I came by mine so cheaply. Dad's shop burned up theirs, they needed one so they just bought a new one and he asked me if I wanted the old one beings they were going to throw it away. "YES" I said. I took it to the local DeWalt repair facility, which was conveniently only 15 min away and $40 later I had a working buffer. It only needed a switch and brushes, though admittedly the cord is about due for replacment soon.

[Tim Lingor]

Ricky,

The Makita has a clutched start-up. When you depress the trigger, it will ramp up to speed. The Dewalt on the other hand, does not have this feature. So while the trigger does control speed, it does not ramp up to speed the same way the Makita does.

As I said, I own both. Each has their good and bad points. In the end, it comes down to more of a personal choice!

Tim

[Desertdawg]

Thanks Tim,

The one I posted also has the "soft start". you squeeze the trigger and it slowly runs up to the speed you have selected. It makes it nice to help control splatter.

[cheapthrills]

Desertdawg, the link to the rotary you posted looks the same as this one for less: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46507

This might be a good alternative for someone who doesn't want to dish out 180 bucks. But for some reason I like the mikita and think the quality and performance is worth the extra price. When I make a purchase on any tool I always seem to spend the extra, and most of the time, it's better quality and performance. I own lots of quality tools, and I've tried a few cheapo's once in awhile when I was on a budget and needed something to work with quick, but I had bad luck with most of them or was dissatisfied with performance. I'm in no rush, I'd rather save and go with the mikita, If I used it everyday, or twice a year, I'm sure it will last me many years.

Once I learn to use the rotary, one or two jobs and it's payed for. Call me crazy, but I just speaking from my own experience on purchasing tools, I have heard people were very satisfied with the rotary above for 25 bucks, but is the Makita worth the extra $150, I haven't used either machine but IMO I think it is.

I have heard of people using the above $25 machine for polishing But even PC users if not for polishing could still use it for pad cleaning.

[Airborne Ranger]

Why does everybody brush their teeth before going to the dentist but nobody washes their car before they bring it to me!?!?!?!?--

LMFAO!!

I love it Superior Shine and it is so true! AR

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Joe's signature is totally true! LOL!!!

Tim