Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

[Mister B]

For anyone that has the newer model Chicago Electric rotary buffer from Harbor Freight (335-3000 rpm).


I emailed them and asked them for the actual RPM speeds for each setting on the variable speed dial.

Min. - 335 rpm
l - 1460 rpm
ll - 1750 rpm
lll - 2030 rpm
llll - 2200 rpm
lllll - 2365 rpm
Max. - 2900 rpm

I was curious what the RPM settings were because I’m always reading recommended RPM settings for working with the various polishes and compounds, so I emailed them and asked what they are.

Obviously with how bad the load speeds are on these rotaries it will not be exact once you start working the product under load, but I figured it is at least a nice reference point that everyone can go from if you have ever wondered what the actual RPM speed for each setting was.

[tcope1]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

Great information! Thanks for posting that.

The problem I see with these rotorys (I have one) is that they tend do go from low speed to high speed with a slight movement of the dial. That is, settings 1, 2, and 3 work just fine but then jumping to the next number causes the speed to jump up more more then it should. So it's difficult to gauge the speed at that point.

[tcope1]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

I just noticed that the chart might reflect this change. It jumps 1000rpms from min to setting 1. It then only jumps 1000rpms from setting 1 to 5 and another 700 from 5 to 6.

[Mister B]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

I agree, the upper settings do seem to have a bit more of a jump in speed between them.

Who knows how accurate the speeds are from machine to machine also, but I was just curious, so I asked and that is what they told me. It at least gives us somewhat of an idea.

[cnfowler]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

Thanks for posting. I've always wondered what the settings were. Good reference point, if anything.

Colin

[ColonelCash]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

I wonder how many people on MOL use these? My dad bought one and it is sitting in the closet. Wouldn't mind taking it out for a spin (no pun intended).

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

Good info to have. Thanks for posting it.

[Calais]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

I also use one and I'm glad to have found this thread, I will probably print out this info tomorrow.

ColonolCash: I use one without incident. Most of my correction is done via G110 but it is useful for really horrible defects. See this thread:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37412

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

This really is very important information to have as settings from one brand to another are meaningless, and if someone with a Makita tells you to run at speed 4 you would be in a world of hurt with this particular tool. As a matter of fact, with this tool you will almost never run it higher than speed 2, and we're sure many novices have gone much higher than that.

What's unfortunate about this machine is that you're going to struggle to find a nice slow speed for final polishing. But, if you're on a budget at least you have some alternative here rather than just a two speed rotary. And now you have a gauge as to where you need to be. Good info indeed.

[Calais]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

As a matter of fact, with this tool you will almost never run it higher than speed 2, and we're sure many novices have gone much higher than that.

Once again, see thread above.

(I would not recommend using the rotary at speeds that they are not supposed to be used at)

[Mary S]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

Thanks Mister B for posting those speeds!

I tend to use setting II - III for cutting, I for polishing, and min for using a brush attachment to clean. Min to I is a fast jump, you can't easily finesse that one to try to hit say 1000 RPM.

[chrisalvarez]

Re: Chicago Electric (335-3000 RPM) speed settings

hi guys i am new to rotary bufffing and i just bought that, and it is nice to know or atleast have an idea of what the rpms are. thanks much. also i agree it jumps speed quite a bit from min to 1 and i have never used anything this powerful before so i was nervous but i stayed between min and 1 with nxt wax and got really good results. i mean i was careful and and deligant. also i work in the industrial field and have experience with all types of grinders and such so not completely new to this but i have never used one for something as delicate as polishing and waxing cars. but i also did a lot of research and on hf websit they have videos of this and another polisher also helpful. but i have a few questions, do you use pressure while trying to keep pad flat? also if the chart is accurate, what speed for swirl x and also do you apply pressure? thanks any feedback will be appreciated.