5" polisher with 13K OPM and small throw

Z

ZoranC

New member
If one would try to use 5" polisher with very high OPMs (12K to 13K) but very small throw (2 to 3 mm), what would be a result? Would it be less correction ability but much better / shinier result if used for final polishing?
 
The result would be:



Bence_Camry202.jpg




Bence_Camry142.jpg




...that's with my Bosch PEX270AE (12.5 cm BP, 4 mm throw @ 12K OPM). The high speeds break down the coarser abrasives (Riwax White paste or 1Z Pasta Intensiv) pretty quickly and LSP-ready. It can generate a pleasant heat, so when you go over the surface very slowly on speed 6, it will be cozy warm. I love to use it on pillars, on plastics, or on sharper edges where the rotary can potentionally burn the paint.
 
Bence said:
The result would be: ...that's with my Bosch PEX270AE (12.5 cm BP, 4 mm throw @ 12K OPM). The high speeds break down the coarser abrasives (Riwax White paste or 1Z Pasta Intensiv) pretty quickly and LSP-ready.
Click to expand...

Very nice! However, I am not focusing on their ability to handle correction (coarser abrasives), I am focusing on would they be a great fit for very fine final polishing with final polishes.



Any thoughts on / experiences with that?



Units I am contemplating between are Bosch 3725DEVS and DeWalt D26453. DeWalt claims smaller orbit (3/32" vs. 3/16" for Bosch). However Bosch claims "pad that both orbits and rotates, duplicating natural hand sanding action and delivering a smooth, well-blended surface finish. Enhanced Random Orbit Sanding Action - Eccentric orbit diamter of 3/16" (3/32" offset) plus free rotation for fast, swirl-free fine finishing or for aggressive stock removal." Bosch's description resembles more aggressive mode of Rotex, and I am not after that, I am after smoothest finish possible.



Any thoughts on / experiences with that?



I don't know of any others that are in 3 amp category.
 
I'd buy the Bosch definitely. It is the pro version of mine, but the general architecture is basically the same. It has sealed bearings, good ergonomics, low vibrations and it is suitable especially for very soft paints where a rotary could cause fine marring. The high speeds combined with a slow arm speed will provide a hologram free finish - without the classic DA hooks.

The backing plate doesn't spin freely, but it doesn't have forced rotation either. Sort of a damped turning action. This pro version has a soft start which is a definite plus IMO. Ah, and the 12.5 cm backing plate works great with the bigger pads, because the machine can follow the rounded contours better.



The DW is clumsier, because it has only one grip on its top. And although some manufacturers use gel pads to reduce vibration and fatigue, grabbing a tall tool on its head is not especially comfortable for me. It behaves tippier than the better designed Bosch.
 
Bence said:
I'd buy the Bosch definitely. It is the pro version of mine, but the general architecture is basically the same. ... The backing plate doesn't spin freely, but it doesn't have forced rotation either. Sort of a damped turning action.
Click to expand...

So you would buy Bosch even though it's orbit size is twice of DW and almost identical to one Festool has? I understand it is not same as Rotex but as I already have Festool I am concerned I would be getting overlap, more of the same or very close to same.



Bence said:
The DW is clumsier, because it has only one grip on its top. And although some manufacturers use gel pads to reduce vibration and fatigue, grabbing a tall tool on its head is not especially comfortable for me. It behaves tippier than the better designed Bosch.
Click to expand...

Tools like DW I do not grab on top, I grab them around the "neck", like this:



D26453_A6.jpg
 
I still would buy the Bosch. The 1 mm orbit difference, plus the better handle design is enough for me. The 3 mm orbit is definitely enough but slower than a 4 mm.



Yes, you can hold the machine as pictured but I'm not sure where the vent holes are. For me, being left-handed, it is obviously not the way to hold it.
 
Bence said:
I still would buy the Bosch. The 1 mm orbit difference, plus the better handle design is enough for me. The 3 mm orbit is definitely enough but slower than a 4 mm.
Click to expand...

Again, it is not speed of "removal" I am after, I have other tools for that task, it is which fine will be leaving finer finish.



Also, it is not 3mm vs 4mm. It is 2.4mm (3/32") for DW (if I am reading their specs correctly) vs. 4.8mm for Bosch which would make Bosch orbit diameter twice bigger, plus I already have Festool that has 5mm orbit.



I have a feeling answer will be in the pudding (my favorite excuse to buy more tools). I can buy DW in my neighborhood for price even lower than online so I might try that first.
 
Mike Phillips has a porter cable sander that he used as a polisher (not the 7424) and i don't think he said it was good, but i cant find the thread on the old MOL.
 
ZoranC said:
Again, it is not speed of "removal" I am after, I have other tools for that task, it is which fine will be leaving finer finish.



Also, it is not 3mm vs 4mm. It is 2.4mm (3/32") for DW (if I am reading their specs correctly) vs. 4.8mm for Bosch which would make Bosch orbit diameter twice bigger, plus I already have Festool that has 5mm orbit.



I have a feeling answer will be in the pudding (my favorite excuse to buy more tools). I can buy DW in my neighborhood for price even lower than online so I might try that first.
Click to expand...



I got it for the first time, believe me... I've never specified that it is faster in terms of "removal". But the same speeds with a bigger pad throw is definitely faster (aka overall work progress). But in the end I think when you have the speed, you have the finish quality as well.

According to the original German specs, the GEX125AC Professional (Euro designation) has a full 5 mm throw, and the DW has correctly specified the orbit diameter (2.4 mm). Obviously, I remembered incorrectly that the DW had a 3 mm orbit...

In this case, the differences are even bigger, so the DW might be a good choice for you - especially for that price. In Germany, DW has a new orbital which has a switchable 3 and 6 mm throw, and the architecture is similar to that of the Bosch.
 
Bence said:
I got it for the first time, believe me... But in the end I think when you have the speed, you have the finish quality as well.
Click to expand...

I was focusing on getting as small orbit size as possible in an attempt to get finest possible final "sanding" result (polishing is sanding, just with much finer abrasives) because all PR on sanders says "smaller orbit = finer sanding, less swirls induced by sanding) so I was under impression you were not understanding my goal and approach.



Bence said:
In this case, the differences are even bigger, so the DW might be a good choice for you - especially for that price.
Click to expand...

Bosch says their design of motion "delivers smooth, well-blended finish", whatever that means, but if I went with it I would be not getting apples to apples comparison so I will be definitely trying DW first, especially because I can get it locally for $90 at same place I need to run an errand at anyway while Bosch is more expensive, I would have to order it online and deal with shipping (plus cost of shipping).



Bence said:
In Germany, DW has a new orbital which has a switchable 3 and 6 mm throw, and the architecture is similar to that of the Bosch.
Click to expand...

Do you have a link to it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top