Chicago Electric with LCD

[RogueM3]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90820

As found in the link..this seems to be the cheapest of the cheap rotaries that people have some experience with. I think it was Papi_Jay who said these bog terribly and werent worth the money..he did say to make sure if I got it to get the LCD version..

Now, as the price is $50 its inching towards the used market pricing for Hitachis, and Makitas (not saying its really close but getting closer than the standard Chicago Electric..)

Should I save my money? .Will this absurdly loud (according to Papi) and less powerful rotary cause me to learn bad habits or make more frequent mistakes?

I have a '97 white ford contour beater to practice on (dont know if it has a clear coat or not..I would assume so as its only 8 years old) and its badly swirled from years of neglect...

I think the LCD would display real time RPM...so if it started to bog I could read the speed and increase it accordingly while compensating for the lagging motor..(say running it at 2000rpms according to the knob but 1500rpms as a result of the bogging and as displayed on the LCD)

Anymore thoughts on this topic would be great....

[Chang]

^^^
same question

[SpoiledMan]

The ebay deal for the Hitachi at $134 shipped is IMO the best deal around. It doesn't bog, it's quiet and don't forget that 5 year warranty!

[atticdog]

Originally Posted by SpoiledMan

The ebay deal for the Hitachi at $134 shipped is IMO the best deal around. It doesn't bog, it's quiet and don't forget that 5 year warranty!

What he said

[papi_jay]

Can you say loud like a weedwacker ? I think teh LCD uses a different motor though , but none of my local harbor Freight carry the LCD model in the store for me to try it ..

[Mosca]

It's now $119 +$10 shipping.

Is this tool comparable in quality to the DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Porter 7428? Or is it closer to the ubiquitous Chinese rotary that the Coleman, Chicago Electric, and others are based on?


Tom

[atticdog]

Autogeek has the hitachi on sale for $169.95
hitachi at autogeek
I emailed them and asked the difference between the hitachi and makita since they sell both
this is what he said

"The Hitachi and Makita polishers are very similar. However, the Hitachi does have a slightly more powerful motor, and weighs less than the Makita."

Hope this helps,
Mike

[SpoiledMan]

Originally Posted by Mosca

It's now $119 +$10 shipping.

Is this tool comparable in quality to the DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, and Porter 7428? Or is it closer to the ubiquitous Chinese rotary that the Coleman, Chicago Electric, and others are based on?


Tom

Yeah Tom, they make you pay insurance and that's the additional $5.

To answer your question, I have had my Black & Decker 6138 for a little more than 9 years and it hasn't skipped a beat at all. It is HEAVY and that takes a toll on me when I work side panels with it. IMO, the Hitachi is every bit as good if not better than what's being offered from other brands. It's so much like the Makita that I think that they're kissing cousins. It's got a 5 year warranty to help me feel secure and it's also very quiet.

[blackcarwoes]

One question for any of you who has both the makita and hitachi, which one is quieter?

[SpoiledMan]

BCW, I have used the Makita and they have *very* similar sound traits. They both are almost silent when you let them spin freely(no load) but when they contact the surface or are under any load they have a distinct whine that isn't annoying at all.

[Mosca]

Cool. I have to say that the Chicago tool is a great bargain. But the more familiar I get with the rotary, and the more I understand how it can be used at low speeds for light work, the more I want to use one frequently. I could sell my Cyclo on ebay, buy the Hitachi, and pocket the change.


Tom

[Chang]

does anybody have any input on the chicago rotary other then it sucks don't buy it get the hitachi?

Because I seem to recall a lot of threads a whilea go about how it worked pretty well.