Cyclo Vs Porter Cable

JulesE34 · 10-29-06, 11:11

Hi Guys,

No, this isn't a thread about which is better.

I'm thinking of getting a Cyclo, mainly because I live in the UK and Cyclo do a UK 240V Version, but it hit me today that the PC is by far the most popular machine on all the detailing forums I have come across (this one included) and 'how to' guides for the Cyclo are few and far between.

Before I order a Cyclo, I take it that all of the techniques and products that are used on a PC are equally relevent to Cyclo usage? By this I mean the type of polish used, the number of passes at a certain speed (Do cyclos have a speed control?), the pads used, etc, etc.

Sory if this is a stupid question, but I just want to make sure that advice, products and techiques are interchangable between Cyclo and PC, befor I lumber myself with a Cyclo and realise that half of what I have learn't, doesn't apply.

Cheers

Jules

steelwind101 · 10-29-06, 11:29

HI!!

I am from the UK had a PC for about 3 yrs and its broke, went for the Cyclo this time for yough BMW paintwork + the fact that it has an offical UK edition.

I use my techniques as i did for the PC, remeber the Cyclo has 2 heads so it take a little getting used too. It weights in heavier and if your tied it can be a pain to do lower panels with. That said no extra pressure required on flat surfaces!! You can go over some areas with the first head then again with the second head moving left to right.

I think you will really benefit from the Cyclo.

Geoff

ZoranC · 10-29-06, 04:59

Cyclo has two "speeds" only: On and off.

Accumulator · 10-30-06, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulesE34

Before I order a Cyclo, I take it that all of the techniques and products that are used on a PC are equally relevent to Cyclo usage? By this I mean the type of polish used, the number of passes at a certain speed (Do cyclos have a speed control?), the pads used, etc, etc.

There are a few products that don't work well by Cyclo, most notably Klasse AIO. Other than that (and the fixed speed of the Cyclo), there isn't much to say...we've beaten the PC vs. Cyclo decision to death countless times (a search will bring up more than you want to know). With the voltage issue I'd be even *more* adamant that the Cyclo is the better choice, and I'm pretty adamant about it to begin with

JulesE34 · 10-30-06, 12:11

Thanks for that Accumulator, I know the 'which is best' argument has been done to death and I wasn't trying to start it all over again, honest!! I'm decided on a Cyclo and I think I'll go with the Pinnacle XMT range.

Geoff - cheers for the input mate, strangely enough, I'll be using mine on BMW paint as well.

Last question, if the Cyclo does not have speed control, Does anyone know what speed the Cyclo runs at and what speed setting this equates to on a PC?

Cheers

Jules

porta · 10-30-06, 12:41

Cyclo runs @ 3200rpm. Don´t have a clue what speed that is on a PC.

ZoranC · 10-30-06, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by porta

Cyclo runs @ 3200rpm. Don´t have a clue what speed that is on a PC.

3200 "rpm" is maximum air model provides (minimum is 2900). Electric models do 3000 OPM.

I don't know can speeds between two be compared on OPM basis. They seem to work (at least to absolute beginner like me) in fundamentally different ways. It would take lots of work with both (for me) to say "Cyclo at their preset OPM with so-and-so pad does same work as PC at X OPM".

ZoranC · 10-30-06, 01:01

P.S. http://www.cyclotoolmakers.com/

Frugle · 10-30-06, 01:47

PC's run from 2,500 to 6,000 rpm... so I guess 3200 is about 3 on the PC?

But, with the cyclo, the smaller pads work harder correct?

ZoranC · 10-30-06, 02:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frugle

PC's run from 2,500 to 6,000 rpm... so I guess 3200 is about 3 on the PC?

But, with the cyclo, the smaller pads work harder correct?

My uneducated guess is that you can not compare one-to-one OPMs of Cyclo to one's of PC even if you were using exactly same pads on both. When I try to visualize their "orbits" I "see" significant difference in pattern/size and I wonder what that changes and by how much.

Eventually I don't think it matters in the big picture. In my mind they are two "different" tools both with its pros and cons (yes, even Cyclo that has so many pros does have some cons).

When I was deciding which one to purchase as my very first polishing tool I went for Cyclo with unrealistic hope it will be all pros, no cons. Of course I was wrong. Now I wish I started with PC and added Cyclo (but not discarding PC entirely either) only once I mastered PC.

Accumulator · 10-30-06, 04:01

Yeah, they're just too different for direct speed-comparisons. Might have to do with the length of throw or the power of the motor

Example: Cyclo runs at 2800-3200 depending on load, PC at "3" runs at around 3000, so you'd expect them to be similar, huh? Yet the Cyclo is too aggressive for AIO (flashes it too quickly) while a PC at "3" is mighty *slow* for AIO (I always use "4" or so for that).

Plus, I have no idea if/how the use of a power converter might affect the PC, at least compared to a 240v version of the Cyclo.