Another Australian PC Question

mikeypom · 02-22-05, 03:27

First of all let me say a big thank you to everyone on this board, it has to be the most informative detailing forum on the net. Anyway I have a couple of questions, which hopefully someone will be able to help me with.

My fist question is in regards to the Porter-Cable and alternatives available. As Iâ€™m based in Brisbane the Porter may not be the best value for money (VFM) polisher for me. Let me explain. The porter cable would cost the following to Australia.

Porter Cable - $125 US = $160.26 AUD
Delivery - $40 US = $51.00 AUD
Power converter $140.40 US = $180.00 AUD
Total $305.40 US = $391.26 AUD

Please note currency conversion is based on $0.78 AUD = $1.00 US

Alternatives available in Australia in 240 volt.

Dewalt 443 $344.00 AUD
Fein WPO 12-27E $525.00 AUD
Makita 6040 $540.00 AUD

Based on the above information would the Dewalt be a suitable alternative, or would I need to steep up to the Makita or the Fein to get similar performace to the PC?
Are the Fein and the Makita superior to the PC?
Is the PC the tool of choice in the states due to the $125 price tag(VFM)?
On paper the Dewalt is the VFM polisher in Aus, is it a quality alternative to the PC? A lot of the questions may have been raised already and I apologise, if that is the case.

Everyoneâ€™s feedback will appreciated.

colche · 02-22-05, 03:36

hi mikeypom! welcome to autopia!!!

I would recommend looking at lower priced alternatives like the Hitachi, Bosch, GMC's that do the job also just fine.

Also look at this thread, it has good information
http://autopia.org/forums/showthread...threadid=49943

Mad iX · 02-22-05, 08:37

I recommend the GMC 515w. It's cheap and does the job. It is more powerful than the PC, though, so keep that in mind when you're using it. I use speed settings of 1-2 for LSP and pure polish, up to 3-4 for swirl/defect removal.

Mizzuri · 02-22-05, 08:45

Hi,

Go for the PC because you will be able to get the edge 2000 pads with the adapter in Australia with a month or so. I have the Dewalt and although its a great machine i go through so many pads because the backing plate is a bigger size and 6" pads are eaten up.

For that sort of price you may also want to look at a cyclo. There is a member here by the name of WCD that was going to organise one for me and shipping. Great service and the best prices I could find. Give me a pm and Ill send you the details.

colche · 02-22-05, 09:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Mizzuri

Go for the PC because you will be able to get the edge 2000 pads with the adapter in Australia with a month or so.

what are these edge 2000 pads? how do they compare to meg, LC, sonus etc.? They would have to be pretty good to warrant going to the trouble/cost of importing a PC + transformer.

6cyl's_of_fury · 02-23-05, 01:21

The Edge system looks good and convienient, but is it worth the $.....? For me, the Hitachi and a good set of velcro backed pads is hard to beat for price and convieience. I am also not reliant on sending it overseas for warranty claims ( should the unthinkable happen ), I dont need a voltage convertor, its cheaper and I can get pads locally if I want to - but most importantly I have proven its worth!

The PC may be a better unit than my Hitachi, but for all the reasons mentioned above, the Hitachi is streets ahead IMO.

Edge Adaptor ( pic from PAC )

mikeypom · 02-23-05, 03:22

Quote:

I have the Dewalt and although its a great machine i go through so many pads because the backing plate is a bigger size and 6" pads are eaten up.

What brand pads have you been using? How do you find the dewalt apart from that?

6cyl's - What pads do you use on the hitachi?

6cyl's_of_fury · 02-23-05, 03:28

right now I am using a mix of Lake Country pads I bought from the Autopia store and Megs pads I bought locally.

I also have a few pads from Patrick at www.exceldetail.com on the water heading my way - I have heard nothing but good things about Propel pads and Patrick is more than a pleasure to deal with. Looking at the Propel pads, they have a recess for a 5" backing plate - perfect for my Hitachi. Thats why I ended up buying Megs pads, the backing plate was eating into the LC pads I had.

At US$7.50 ( $10 ) a pad for the Propels, its great value compared to paying $30/pad locally for Megs.......

mikeypom · 02-23-05, 03:30

sounds good. I will look into the propel pads. Thanks

urban1.8t · 02-23-05, 03:49

6cyls,

I have had trouble with LC pads and the Hitachi with the velcro starting to tear due the adhesion of the Hitachi backing plate. Megs pads are fine as are Edge.

With the PC all the pads I have tried, MEGS, LC and Edge are fine in this regard.

Mike,

Welcome aboard, good to see you posting.

Cheers
Dave.

6cyl's_of_fury · 02-23-05, 04:17

Yeah I have been on and off, but I promise to be more active and fly that Aussie flag! But I have cracked 500 posts - not too shabby!

The problem I had with the LC pads was the "cookie cutting" - I dont think the problem would have been any worse or any better with any machine buffer. It only has 125mm velcro on it and the baciing plate is 125mm - it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that unless you get it perfectly aligned, the backing plate will be on the foam. Pics of what I mean....

Mizzuri · 02-23-05, 05:18

mikeypom:
On the dewalt orbital I have used edge, LC, Meg, 3m pads. 3m is a waffle 6" pad, didnt fall apart but for my uses not the best. LC and meg have both fallen apart with any decent use, both the adhesive in the backing and the foam degrading and falling off in little pieces.

The edge pads lasted the best as their back goes further to the edge of the pad. The dewalt has a larger backing plate that eats away at the pads.

The Dewalt buffer is good, plenty of power for what I need. I only use it for hollowgram removal as a last polishing step after swirl removal with the rotary, normaly with menzerna FP. Sometimes use it for a one step AIO or MEG Speed Glaze.

I like the edge 2000 pads because for more intense work they are made with Durafoam that can handle the pressure of cutting and polishing.

You can use the larger 7 and 8" pads but it really loads down the buffer and doesnt work well with any pressure.

I, with the help of an engineer friend of mine have been trying to develop a way use the Edge 2000 adapter with the Dewalt. I can see it involving removing the existing plate and manufacturing some sort of plate with a connector to the Edge Adapter. I will keep you all informed of the progress.