Makita or Flex Rotary?

[memnuts]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

I have both the makita and the flex 3403. I like the 3403 because of the lightweight and small size. I love the makita because of the power and flexibility. The makita can run at a lower speed overall. It is rather hard to explain so bear with me. The min speed is 1100 on the flex so trying to jewl or spread product without sling is problematic and that has to do with the speed controler in the machine. Ie. the least amount of trigger pull to get rotation on the flex means your at 1100 rpm. On the makita it is quite the opposite the 600 rpm is at the max trigger pull on setting 1 mean while the minimum trigger pull on the makita to get rotation you bearly see the pad rotate.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

I only have a DeWalt and my now departed Newkita to base opinion on, but my recommendation would be to go with the rotary that has the greater range of practical use/application and the one that is owned by more detailers. In this case, I would think that would be the Makita.

While I have never used the Makita, I have powered one or two up and I remain impressed by the light feel, smooth operation, and slow ramp up speed.

[Still Learnin]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

Having never fired up a dewalt, and only owning a makita. My vote is makita. I dont think you can go wrong with either! They are both great tools to have in the trade!

[BobbyG]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

These are the ones I use.

[FRS]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

Makita looks bulky comparing to Flex as I can see ..

[BobbyG]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

Makita looks bulky comparing to Flex as I can see ..

The Makita is a great rotary buffer and it's well made and well balanced and is clearly the nicest rotary buffer I've ever used.

The speed is controlled by a dial and trigger. Unlike many buffers out there the Makita has a soft start, by that I mean it doesn't start abruptly throwing the product all over the place.

I was using mine last night getting a head start on a Corvette I'm detailing. I generally prime the pad then apply the product to it then placing it on the surface. I start on speed 1 to spread the product evenly then change the speed to whats suitable for that particular product and pad.

The Flex is quite a machine, a bit smaller but very well made and equally powerful. Prior to the Flex I had the Makita and Porter Cable 7424 now I have all three and they all have their place.

[DualActionDetail]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

I'm leaning towards the DeWalt 849. I originally posted a link to an 849 for $170 from an unknown retailer, since I could've sworn I saw ADS had them priced at over $200, but checking back I see that they are at $199. Does anyone else try to give ADS business even if it means paying a tiny amount more?


I was proud of myself for spending so much time researching detailing, ending up so happy with a D/A (G110v2), learning the pads, products, technique, etc. etc. Then I worked on 2 cars recently out of a string of several where the D/A just couldn't budge the imperfections. How do you get more aggressive with the G110v2 than M105 on a 4" polishing pad at high speed? I'm rotary shopping now, and quite excited about it.

I'm partial to the DeWalt vs. Makita (yeah, I know the original thread was Flex/Makita, but it's a recent thread, and I think it's relevant). I've used DeWalt drills, recip. saws, and impact drivers in the past and have put them through hell. They always work, batteries maintain their lives throughout hours of recharging cycles. I've dropped them from scaffolding, gotten them totally immersed in water, whatever, and they still always show up to work on time with a smile on their face. I've read so far that the Makita is a little lighter than the DeWalt, also offers a lower RPM range, but why would I ever need to go lower than 1000 rpm (DeWalt minimum) if I have a D/A? Additionally, I like the DeWalt trigger set-up, and I've seen them used in Meguiar's videos. There's nothing wrong with that...

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

I'm leaning towards the DeWalt 849. I originally posted a link to an 849 for $170 from an unknown retailer, since I could've sworn I saw ADS had them priced at over $200, but checking back I see that they are at $199. Does anyone else try to give ADS business even if it means paying a tiny amount more?


I was proud of myself for spending so much time researching detailing, ending up so happy with a D/A (G110v2), learning the pads, products, technique, etc. etc. Then I worked on 2 cars recently out of a string of several where the D/A just couldn't budge the imperfections. How do you get more aggressive with the G110v2 than M105 on a 4" polishing pad at high speed? I'm rotary shopping now, and quite excited about it.

I'm partial to the DeWalt vs. Makita (yeah, I know the original thread was Flex/Makita, but it's a recent thread, and I think it's relevant). I've used DeWalt drills, recip. saws, and impact drivers in the past and have put them through hell. They always work, batteries maintain their lives throughout hours of recharging cycles. I've dropped them from scaffolding, gotten them totally immersed in water, whatever, and they still always show up to work on time with a smile on their face. I've read so far that the Makita is a little lighter than the DeWalt, also offers a lower RPM range, but why would I ever need to go lower than 1000 rpm (DeWalt minimum) if I have a D/A? Additionally, I like the DeWalt trigger set-up, and I've seen them used in Meguiar's videos. There's nothing wrong with that...

These links from AutoGeek give a good description and breakdown of each rotary polisher:


Direct Drive Rotary Buffers - Circular Polishers

Flex 3403 Lightweight Rotary Buffer
11.5 Amps
1100 to 3700 RPM
5 Pounds
1 Year Limited Warranty


Makita 9227C Rotary Buffer
10 Amps
600 to 3000 RPM
7 Pounds
30-Day, No-Risk, Satisfaction Guarantee
1 year Warranty


DeWalt 849 Rotary Buffer
8 Amps
1000 to 3000 RPM
8 Pounds
30-Day, No-Risk, Satisfaction Guarantee
1 Year Free Service Contract
1 year Warranty


Flex 630 Rotary Buffer
8 Amps
1000 to 3000 RPM
8 Pounds


How to choose the right polisher for your detailing project.

[xantonin]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

@ Whoever said giving ADS business even if it's more, I agree. I plan to buy my next rotary from them.

I'm in the same boat as the topic creator, except I'm adding in the DeWalt from ADS to my choices.... I'm leaning towards DeWalt because it seems like a solid tool.

[Andrew C.]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

@ Whoever said giving ADS business even if it's more, I agree. I plan to buy my next rotary from them.

I'm in the same boat as the topic creator, except I'm adding in the DeWalt from ADS to my choices.... I'm leaning towards DeWalt because it seems like a solid tool.

Rick will take good care of you on getting a Rotary. I talked with him for a bit about getting mine. I eventually ended up going with the Makita and even I decided with the DeWalt, it would be more expensive from detailing.com as opposed to ADS because I would have to pay California Sales Tax.

If you go with ADS, go ahead and pick up anything else you need with your Rotary purchase while you have the free shipping already.

Detailing.com are good guys too though. I just snagged a gallon of Last Touch, Wheel brightener, a 32 oz bottle of m205, and a bottle of DC car wash for wheels for only about 70 bucks. That's just a killer deal!

[xantonin]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

I get free shipping because I am local and just pick up my orders.

But I still can't decide which rotary to go with.

The Flex seems to have the most features, such as temperature sensing and what not. But how much of a difference does it really make?

I wish someone could write a short simple Pros and Cons of all 3 devices, not a large review.

What made you choose Makita over the other two?

[Andrew C.]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

I liked the idea of the slow start, where it ramps the speed up, plus a good amount of other people on here own makitas, so i figured that there was a reason why they all had them haha

[DualActionDetail]

Re: Makita or Flex Rotary?

I received my DeWalt 849 from ADS last week, with 7" and 3" Meg's backing plates. I already have two 7" foam cutting pads (burgundy) and two 7" light wool cutting pads, (the yellow ones from the so1o system). I give it a whirl for the first time on Sunday, on my a beat up Camry trunk-lid. I split the trunk lid into 1/3s, wanting to try different pad/product combos. I really wanted to see what D151 would do with the rotary, I really haven't been impressed with its defect removal when using a D/A. It does a good job as a cleaner, but rarely budges the defects. I tried D151 with a yellow polishing pad, D151 with the yellow wool, then m105 with the red foam cutting pad. Results were actually surprising: The M105 and D151/yellow polishing finished out better than the D151 with Wool. I think learning to use a rotary has its own path, then in addition, learning to use wool with the rotary is another learning experience. I took off the tape and used M205 with a yellow foam polishing pad across all 3 sections, then used NXT spray wax. The M205 provided some uniformity, so that his trunk lid wouldn't have stripes.

As far as the tool goes: wow! A rotary truly means business. I think once I get the hang of it I will like using it better than a D/A for entire vehicle heavy defect removal. The tool would try to head one direction or the other sometimes, so there is a lot more control involved. I've never used the handle on my g110v2; but the handle is a must on a rotary; and it helped quite a bit. The DeWalt 849 is fairly heavy; as you can see from the previous post comparing weights. It got pretty warm after doing the trunk lid, but not too hot to touch, obviously. The selective speed dial, though made out of plastic, seems like it is secured nicely into the tool's housing. The variable speed trigger is very nice to have, I found it great when I wanted low speed just to spread product, then I could crank it up and work the section without splatter.

I hope I'm not taking away from the original topic here, but I didn't feel my very short first experience warranted its own thread. Just wanted to give some first time comments on the DeWalt.