View Full Version : Can someone review this rotary for me?
This rotary has been asked about alot, yet I can`t find a thread that offers a good and thorough review of its performance. I believe it has all the essential component of the Makitta, but I`m unsure. So, anyone with experience, please feel free to offer your review and opinion. Also, does anyone know if it is grounded with a three prong. Here`s the LINK (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92623)
JJ
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/92600-92699/92623.gif
JasonD
05-27-2005, 08:18 PM
Here you go:
http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56363&highlight=harbor+freight+rotary
http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55727&highlight=harbor+freight+rotary
http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55692&highlight=harbor+freight+rotary
Type "Harbor Freight Rotary" in the Search tool, and you will get quite a few suggestions.
Thanks JD, but I`ve read those before. I am particularly interested in this model b/c it is the newer one and there were quite a few people that talked about ordering it. I was hopeing some of those individuals had actually gained some experience with the tool and are now qulaified to offer an opinion. I am up for the job, but it may take a few weeks to get here.
JJ
JustinR32
05-28-2005, 05:38 AM
Yes, I was going to respond until I looked at the picture and saw the black head & handle. I have the all-orange one and it works satisfactorily.
Tom
FryeBaby
05-28-2005, 07:21 AM
JJ, I just received mine from Habor Freight. I can answer one of your questions but I have not had time to use it yet. I am going to try it out on my mom-in-law`s car.:grinno: As far as the plug, I have read the manuel and it is a two prong plug that can be inserted one way. It has double insulation that meets the UL requirements. That`s what they say in the manuel anyway. I am looking forward to trying it out but I`m going to watch the Meg`s video a few more times. I wish I had more info on matching speeds to the settings on the control. In the owners manuel there is nothing about how to match it up. I will probably call HF.
Good luck with your purchase, Wes
imported_themightytimmah
05-28-2005, 09:46 AM
From what I hear, its a bit lighter than the "big machines" (Dewalt, Makita), but it lacks the power they do. For what you`re looking to use it for, JJ, it should be great. I almost bought one last week, but then I realzed that there was no money in my account :(. Oh well, mabe I`ll get one once the weather clears and business stops sucking.
Well, I guess I`m a little confused about the power difference. I believe this one is rated at 10 or 11 amps, which should produce plenty of power, and as long as it spins fast enough it will produce the results I`m looking for. For shade-tree enthusiast like myself, I think it will be perfect. I`m not thrilled about the two- prong plug, but I`ll get over it.
I would very much like to hear your thought, opinions and about your results fryebaby. Let me know how it turns out.
themightytimmah, if you want one, let me know. I think we could save a little on shipping by ordering them together. You could just stop bye and pick it up or I can meet you somewhere in S. Portland. Just a thought
JJ
JJ
blackcarwoes
05-28-2005, 12:28 PM
I have the exact same one, dont be fooled when some say it has less power than the makita and dewalt, sure it has less but you will have more than you would ever think about using.
blackcarwoes
05-28-2005, 12:29 PM
Originally posted by J.J.
This rotary has been asked about alot, yet I can`t find a thread that offers a good and thorough review of its performance. I believe it has all the essential component of the Makitta, but I`m unsure. So, anyone with experience, please feel free to offer your review and opinion. Also, does anyone know if it is grounded with a three prong. Here`s the LINK (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92623)
JJ
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/92600-92699/92623.gif
Its a two pronger.
imported_themightytimmah
05-28-2005, 08:08 PM
Hey JJ, your PMs are full, so here`es the one I was gonna send you.
Hey JJ, definetly grab me a Harbor Freight rotary when you order. If you get a BP, order me one too. I`m down in the Biddeford area a lot, so I`ll give you a call and we could hook up a meeting.
Thanks
Tim
P.S. If you`re putting in a HF order, mind ordering me one of the 10 dollar 1/2 inch torque wrenches too? I had to give the torque wrench that I`ve been using back to my uncle, and its tough to beat the deal that they offer.
PM me for my cell # (advertising issues)
Triple P.S. I`ve got a referral offer for you, but I`ll PM it to you, as not to run afoul of any Autopia rules (I will sin no more, Bill D. :))
Thanks again
Tim
I really don`t understand how my PM box gets full. No wonder I`m getting responses from no one! I`ll clean it up and send you a PM.
JJ
rkf76
05-30-2005, 01:09 AM
Originally posted by J.J.
This rotary has been asked about alot, yet I can`t find a thread that offers a good and thorough review of its performance. I believe it has all the essential component of the Makitta, but I`m unsure. So, anyone with experience, please feel free to offer your review and opinion. Also, does anyone know if it is grounded with a three prong. Here`s the LINK (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92623)
JJ
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/92600-92699/92623.gif Well JJ, I don`t have the same exact one, I have this one
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/46500-46599/46507.gif
The differences are the obvious, plus mine is 11amps while the one you posted is 9.8amps. Mine is a three proger, can`t imagine the other one wouldn`t be as well. It has plenty of speed, plenty of power, and it gets the job done. I have never had it past 2.5, which is plenty fast, but it can go up to 5 I believe. I got mine for $30 but I noticed it`s currently going for $49. Well worth it. Here`s a pic of my dad`s F150 I detailed yesterday with it
http://s124497598.onlinehome.us/My%20cars/IMG_0243.JPG
imported_Axe
05-30-2005, 02:40 AM
Originally posted by J.J.
I really don`t understand how my PM box gets full. No wonder I`m getting responses from no one! I`ll clean it up and send you a PM.
JJ
Remember, that it also measures your SENT ITEMS messages too, I didn`t realise this and just kept clearing my inbox messages, but you will see the host package counts your sent messages as it saves them by default - hence you have full PM box all the time. So remember to clear your SENT ITEMS as well as your inbox hope this helps
quamen
05-30-2005, 04:46 AM
I go to harbor freight alot, since it is located about 40 mintues from my house. Alot of the stuff they sell is cheaply made and doesnt last that long, you get what you pay for. It may do a good job at first, but I know it is not as durable/reliable as a dealt or makita buffer. Since you are not doing detailing as a living, the buffer should be great for you! I have bought alot of stuff from there, some good some bad but they always taken back the bad items with my reciept. Any questions on future purchases feel free to ask me, becasue I bascially bought many things in there and know what is cheap and what is good. AS for the buffer, why not it should good for you for the time being and when your ready to shell out the money, I love the makita. I have the dewalt but the makita buffer just has a nice well balanced feel.
rkf: That looks great. I went ahead and ordered one last night. For $37 shipped, I thought, "What do I have to lose!" It beats spending $180 on a Makita or DeWalt, and like I said, I believe the HF rotary has all the essential elements as well as the luxeries of the Makita. I am going to do a full review on the machine when it arrives; unless someone does one first. Thanks for the replies and comments.
JJ