Is there such thing as as 4" rotary polisher?

**LeadingEdgeDetail** · 07-22-2012, 11:40 AM

I know I can get 4" pads, since I have them for my PorterCable polisher...

I have been doing quite a bit of wetsanding & polishing on custom airbrushed motorcycle parts, and I am realizing that the largest hurdle for me polishing out the 2500 grit wetsanding has been my 6.5" pad on the Makita.

I would think about putting a 4" pad on the Makita, but the machine itself os so bulky and heavy, I`d love something smaller.

I think air-powered is my only option if I want to go smaller than the Makita and keep it rotary?

Opinions?

Thanks!

**Kevin Brown** · 07-22-2012, 01:15 PM

The Metabo 12-175 is smaller. It used to be a bit shorter too, but they added that funky hand pad.

I`m sure there`s an older version out there somewhere. Current version

Here`s a great thread comparing the Metabo 12-175 to the also small Flex 3403: autopia thread

These are also popular machines, but not all that much smaller, considering you`e polishing motorcycle parts:

Flex PE 14-2 150 Compact Variable Speed Polisher / Festool RAP 150 Shinex Rotary Polisher

If you`re going air-powered, I like this one: Mirka MR-30

I have a customer that is a car & bike builder/painter, pin-striper, airbrush expert. With all the small parts and sharp edges he has to contend with, he`s never felt in total control using a typical rotary. He saw my friend Derek Bemis polishing a hot rod using a Meguiar`s random orbital polisher, and liked what he saw. He called me, and we had a long discussion prior to setting him up with his own Meguiar`s machine. He uses the 3" and 5" DA Microfiber Discs, a handful of various backing plates, and even 3" and 6" sanding discs! He is one happy camper... and as long as you`re willing to step the sanding out to 2500 or 3000 grit, I see no reason why this sort of machine wouldn`t work for you, too.

You could even use a 3" version of an electric random orbital... they`re really small:

Griot`s Garage 3" Random Orbital Polisher

Metabo SX E 400 3-1/8" 220 Watt Electronic Disc Sander (random orbital)

**Accumulator** · 07-22-2012, 01:34 PM

StumpyDetailing- I`m guessing you`re not inclined towards pneumatics, but FWIW, the 3" pneumatic that Griot`s sells is *GREAT*. A true defect-killer even though it`s "only" a RO as opposed to a rotary. For some reason (haven`t investigated why- speed? throw?) it doesn`t create the same "misty splatter" that my Griot`s 3" *electric* model always seems to.

Kevin Brown- I bet the (new) Metabo`s forward grip comes off, as per the Flex 3401...if one doesn`t mind a bit of heat.

**LeadingEdgeDetail** · 07-22-2012, 01:44 PM

I *love* pneumatics, however I no longer live near my Dad`s workshop and his rediculous air compressor... he now has a little Speedaire that can`t really power a pneumatic sander long enough...

pneumatic tools require such flow & volume, a pretty hefty compressor is necessary... Add that to the fact that I am 98% mobile, sort of kills pneumatics for me

If I could find an enclosed trailer and air compressor I`d switch completely to pneumatic!

**LDM** · 07-22-2012, 02:01 PM

Isn`t an electric drill essentially a mini-rotary? They make backing plate adapters for drills.

Drill Backing Plate for Shining Car Paint - HD Miniplate | 3D Products

**LeadingEdgeDetail** · 07-22-2012, 02:19 PM

Drills are even more bulky and cumbersome than my Makita, due to the distance from the pad to where your hand is... drills you have 8", Makita & other angle-grinder type machines are 3" or less... Center of gravity for the machine may be what I`m trying to get at... As well I don`t think many drills have 1200, 1500, 2000rpm settings

Thinking about it more, perhaps I should just find a 4" backing plate for my Makita Rotary and try that out for a while, I`m not having terrible fatigue problems now, and that would be the most economical solution...

Will check my local autobody supply store tomorrow and see if there is such thing

**Kevin Brown** · 07-22-2012, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Accumulator

StumpyDetailing- I`m guessing you`re not inclined towards pneumatics, but FWIW, the 3" pneumatic that Griot`s sells is *GREAT*. A true defect-killer even though it`s "only" a RO as opposed to a rotary. For some reason (haven`t investigated why- speed? throw?) it doesn`t create the same "misty splatter" that my Griot`s 3" *electric* model always seems to.

Kevin Brown- I bet the (new) Metabo`s forward grip comes off, as per the Flex 3401...if one doesn`t mind a bit of heat.

Originally Posted by StumpyDetailing

I *love* pneumatics, however I no longer live near my Dad`s workshop and his rediculous air compressor... he now has a little Speedaire that can`t really power a pneumatic sander long enough...

pneumatic tools require such flow & volume, a pretty hefty compressor is necessary... Add that to the fact that I am 98% mobile, sort of kills pneumatics for me

If I could find an enclosed trailer and air compressor I`d switch completely to pneumatic!

If you ever make the switch... this lil` guy is IT:

Rupes HLR 75 15mm stroke Random Orbital

**C. Charles Hahn** · 07-22-2012, 03:16 PM

Kevin, Kevin... you and all your cool expensive toys...

**the other pc** · 07-22-2012, 05:21 PM

There are also right-angle electric drills.

I have a Sioux myself. I picked up the backing plate but I haven`t tried polishing with it yet.

pc

**Superior Shine** · 07-24-2012, 11:07 PM

My small Harbor Freight polisher!! Three years old and still rocks! I paid $40 for it.

**Accumulator** · 07-25-2012, 11:45 AM

Kevin Brown- What with that Rupes reference and your link to the other thread, it`s almost like you and Theal are ganging up to nudge me into one of those :chuckle:

stumpydetailing- That`s what I do, just put a 4" plate on the Makita or the Metabo.

**Barry Theal** · 07-25-2012, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Kevin Brown- What with that Rupes reference and your link to the other thread, it`s almost like you and Theal are ganging up to nudge me into one of those :chuckle:

stumpydetailing- That`s what I do, just put a 4" plate on the Makita or the Metabo.

You need another polisher like I need another Paint meter! :grinno: Rupes is nice stuff! Kevin has been trying to schill that 3 inch on me for a while! I told him "My wife is happy with the 6 inches I have already!" :chuckle: No in all seriousness Since Sema last year I have been wanting there 6 inch Polisher. It was really that nice. Its not the end all be all, but man its sexy and smooth.