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Maybe that's why it's called a NEWKITA! 
I was at a local reseller store last Tuesday called GTM (General Trade Merchandise), a chain of 2 stores based only in San Diego.
If the packaging on returned items is compromised, or the product (like a camera or LCD TV) was used, retailers like CostCo and Sam's Club does not return it to the shelves. Instead they warehouse it with other returns and auction it to resellers every 2-4 weeks. GTM is one of those resellers, and they purchase goods at auction from other retailers as well.
I frequent GTM every so often because they usually have great gear such as clothes, hardware, electronics, tools, furniture, food and miscellaneous items for sale at some pretty deep discounts. I always visit their automotive aisle to score some cheap detailing supplies. Sometimes they have something great, sometimes nothing.
I spotted this rotary polisher in that same aisle. It looked out of place because it was a power tool and it was the only one. At first I laughed when I saw the obvious imitated Makita graphics on the box, and went out to my car to grab my cell phone to snap a couple of photos. But after I picked up the box, I noticed the heft was pretty decent so i removed the polisher for a better look. I was surprised at how much this polisher looked like a Makita 9227C. The materials didn't seem cheap, so I took a chance and bought it.
Notice the Makita copied badges! I did some online research but couldn't find out much about Newkita. What I did find was that they are a huge tool manufacturer in China and they copy designs of popular Japanese power tools for export. One of the downturns of emerging Chinese capitalism is that international copyright laws are not enforced.
Imitation is copied down to the offset bale handle (The handle is not secured with the provided bolts, I just wanted to take a quick photo) and the spindle lock button. For you Makita owners, some of the cosmetic differences should be apparent. The exhaust vents are horizontal, I think Makita has vertical vents.
I took it to the post office this morning and weighed the device. It clocked in at 6.2 lbs, compared to the Makita's listed weight of 6.6 lbs. The metal head and plastic body housing is heavyweight and solid. 6 foot power cord - I think the same length as the Makita.
The speed range is between 0-3000 RPM. The dial is similar to Makita, but there are again cosmetic differences. Like the Makita, the Newkita RPM ramps up from a slow start.
I took this photo for scaling purposes, placing it next to my DeWally rotary polisher and my Maguire's D/A The motor whine has a higher pitch than my DeWalt, and the noticeable torque doesn't become apparent until I hit the higher RPM's (the DeWalt has noticeable torque at even the lower RPM range).
LOL! This is the listed price on the box, but I'll bet this polisher never sold for more than $75 max anywhere. The kicker? Remember, I bought this at a reseller so I paid $38. Had I waited another two days, I could have used an online GTM coupon and saved another $11, but this was the only one and I didn't want to risk it being gone. For $38, if the Newkita quits on me during the first use it won't be a big loss. And it did come with extra brushes.
I was at a local reseller store last Tuesday called GTM (General Trade Merchandise), a chain of 2 stores based only in San Diego. If the packaging on returned items is compromised, or the product (like a camera or LCD TV) was used, retailers like CostCo and Sam's Club does not return it to the shelves. Instead they warehouse it with other returns and auction it to resellers every 2-4 weeks. GTM is one of those resellers, and they purchase goods at auction from other retailers as well.
I frequent GTM every so often because they usually have great gear such as clothes, hardware, electronics, tools, furniture, food and miscellaneous items for sale at some pretty deep discounts. I always visit their automotive aisle to score some cheap detailing supplies. Sometimes they have something great, sometimes nothing.
I spotted this rotary polisher in that same aisle. It looked out of place because it was a power tool and it was the only one. At first I laughed when I saw the obvious imitated Makita graphics on the box, and went out to my car to grab my cell phone to snap a couple of photos. But after I picked up the box, I noticed the heft was pretty decent so i removed the polisher for a better look. I was surprised at how much this polisher looked like a Makita 9227C. The materials didn't seem cheap, so I took a chance and bought it.
Notice the Makita copied badges! I did some online research but couldn't find out much about Newkita. What I did find was that they are a huge tool manufacturer in China and they copy designs of popular Japanese power tools for export. One of the downturns of emerging Chinese capitalism is that international copyright laws are not enforced.
Imitation is copied down to the offset bale handle (The handle is not secured with the provided bolts, I just wanted to take a quick photo) and the spindle lock button. For you Makita owners, some of the cosmetic differences should be apparent. The exhaust vents are horizontal, I think Makita has vertical vents.
I took it to the post office this morning and weighed the device. It clocked in at 6.2 lbs, compared to the Makita's listed weight of 6.6 lbs. The metal head and plastic body housing is heavyweight and solid. 6 foot power cord - I think the same length as the Makita.
The speed range is between 0-3000 RPM. The dial is similar to Makita, but there are again cosmetic differences. Like the Makita, the Newkita RPM ramps up from a slow start.
I took this photo for scaling purposes, placing it next to my DeWally rotary polisher and my Maguire's D/A
The motor whine has a higher pitch than my DeWalt, and the noticeable torque doesn't become apparent until I hit the higher RPM's (the DeWalt has noticeable torque at even the lower RPM range). LOL! This is the listed price on the box, but I'll bet this polisher never sold for more than $75 max anywhere. The kicker? Remember, I bought this at a reseller so I paid $38. Had I waited another two days, I could have used an online GTM coupon and saved another $11, but this was the only one and I didn't want to risk it being gone. For $38, if the Newkita quits on me during the first use it won't be a big loss. And it did come with extra brushes.
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