Stepping up to a rotary. Which one?

**Adam.C** · 05-02-2010, 02:15 AM

HI all.

As the title suggests I`m looking at stepping up from a DA to a rotary. I`ve kind of narrowed it down to 2 but not sure which one to get. I`m currently undecided between the Makita 9227CB and Festool SHINEX RAP 150 .

At the moment I`m leaning towards the Festool as it is nearly a kilo lighter than the Makita and the backing plate can be changed without any tools. The only thing that the Makita seems to trump the Festool on is price, being over $300 cheaper. Anybody have any experience with these machines?

**AeroCleanse** · 05-02-2010, 09:57 AM

I would look at the Makita or the Flex rotary.

**JohnKleven** · 05-02-2010, 12:14 PM

I personally can`t stand the Makita, it has this soft touch start feature that`s very annoying, and I think it makes it easier to spatter compound all over the car when you`r starting. The DeWalt is an awesome machine, with tons of power, and a great trigger, but it`s heavy. Dynabrade also makes a nice rotary buffer, but haven`t tried the Festool yet.

John

**AeroCleanse** · 05-02-2010, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by JohnKleven

I personally can`t stand the Makita, it has this soft touch start feature that`s very annoying, and I think it makes it easier to spatter compound all over the car when you`r starting. The DeWalt is an awesome machine, with tons of power, and a great trigger, but it`s heavy. Dynabrade also makes a nice rotary buffer, but haven`t tried the Festool yet.

John

I like the soft start feature of the Makita. Granted, I haven`t tried one that doesn`t have it.

**Barry Theal** · 05-02-2010, 12:25 PM

Can the festool be bought in the us yet? Did they make one for our electric currency?

**Adam.C** · 05-03-2010, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Barry Theal

Can the festool be bought in the us yet? Did they make one for our electric currency?

I`m in Australia!

Didn`t realise they might not be available in the state sorry.

**imported_WhyteWizard** · 05-04-2010, 11:46 PM

The Hitachi has a faster start that the Makita and is more powerful than the others. It still has a soft start, but it`s just soft, not mushy. It`s also lighter and I`m working on a new handle and trigger set up that I`m hoping will make it both easier to run and more comfortable.

**rwisejr** · 05-05-2010, 05:33 AM

From what I hear if you have access to the Festool you need look no further.

**BIOLINK** · 05-05-2010, 05:54 AM

Not sure about the trigger/start up issues you talk about with Makita. I started with Makita and love it. I wouldn`t mind giving Flex a shot. WOW! the the price of the Festool, Good Lord!

:tumblewee

**imported_ww2717** · 08-25-2011, 10:42 AM

Festool Rap-150 FE is available on Amazon for $400.00. You can get it on the Amazon store cc with 6

months interest free payments.

**Junebug** · 08-25-2011, 07:20 PM

Check out the new DeWalt - for the price, you can`t beat it.

**imported_DetailDan** · 08-25-2011, 09:14 PM

The BP on the Makita can be changed without tools as well. I havent used the Festool, but the Makita does not feel like a workhorse like my Dynabrade did. The Makita is lighter, quieter, and goes down to 600rpm compared to 1,000. However, for heavy compounding I would definitely reach for the Dynabrade over the Makita.