Australian Random Buffer Question

Also have the hitatchi and very happy with it. Agree with 6cycls and the numbers re the opm dont add up. I usually polish on speed setting 3 and 4 and finish with 2.



I also have propel pads and they are great value. Megs pads (and lc pads) are pretty exxy in Aus when you compare with the price of importing them from Patrick.



One thing I have found with the propel pad is that they are harder to remove from the hitachi backing plate in comparison to the megs polishing pad (but not megs finishing pad). I also have a megs finishing pad and for some reason it also is pretty difficult to get off. In any case, I found if you go slow the pads will be fine.



good luck with it, you will never look back!
 
quote Costk

'One thing I have found with the propel pad is that they are harder to remove from the hitachi backing plate in comparison to the megs polishing pad (but not megs finishing pad). I also have a megs finishing pad and for some reason it also is pretty difficult to get off. In any case, I found if you go slow the pads will be fine.'



what i did to fix this probelm is i melted the velcro around the outside of the backing plate about 4-5mm in. this seems to fix the problem without adversely affecting the grip on the pads.
 
The Hitachi will stop turning with a lot less pressure than the PC. I have both and have now retired the Hitachi. I very much want to try a Dewalt 443 however it appears that Dewalt Australia has dropped this product, there could be some stock around but thats it.



I have seen a Makita BP6040 in action and its a real pity that it is $525 or I would have one.



I too found that LC pads were difficult to remove from the Hitachi, it must be the velcro on the Hitachi as they are fine on the backing plate that comes from LC.



The prices mentioned here for the propel pads are very good, in fact I may order some myself....:D



Cheers

Dave.
 
I got the GMC Random Orbital "Sander" from Bunnings for $39.95. Works well so far, but the pads do stick well enough that it takes some force to remove them.
 
It looks as though the Hitachi FSV13Y is looking like a good purchase! Is there any advantage in something like the Dewalt 443 backing plate being 6' instead of 5'?



What pads options (size, brand) does the Hitachi take? and where would I get them (online, autobarn)?



Thanks for your help guys!
 
I bought the Hitachi on the weekend. It already had a velcro pad on it. The meguiars foam pads work great. I am ordering the Propel ones this week.



Buy it, you won't be disappointed. Just don't tell Bunnings you want to to polish your car, they tried to sell me a rotary one instead. :)



Then when I did get the Hitachi one, they wanted to know did I want any sandpaper pads :)
 
K Mart also sell a randon orbital sander suitable for polishing a car, for about $50. Quality and performance is not as good as the Hitachi, but it does a a good job nonetheless.
 
Michael H - do you have a model number?



I'm currently looking at purchasing a cheap orbital sander to learn with. Either the Hitachi FSV13Y or the GMC SA515, but the GMC one is a lot cheaper. Has anyone had any experience with the GMC?
 
The GMC, supercheap auto polishers have a *'-10" pad?



I have seen these but could not find pads big enought to fit?



any ideas.
 
xqt00r said:
The GMC, supercheap auto polishers have a *'-10" pad?



I have seen these but could not find pads big enought to fit?



any ideas.
Click to expand...



Steer clear of these things - the 10" pads should be warning enough! If you want to get a machine polisher, have a look see below, the GMC would be a much better choice than those 10" buffers from Supercheap. In short, they are garbage.



colche said:
I saw one of the GMC ones in Big-W incidently the other day.



[product info here]



T'was $39 the 125mm 400W one! What do you guys reckon?
Click to expand...



On paper, it seems to be a great deal. Virtually identical design/construction as the Hitachi, has the same 5" backing plate but a more powerful motor. The Hitachi works well enough for me, so it should be equally as good for the GMC and harder to bog down due to the more powerful motor. I just trust the brand name of Hitachi more than GMC, but thats just me. If you do go the GMC, let us know how it goes.
 
Hi

I used the GMC SA 516 buffer for 9 months now and never had

a problem with it.

The 516 model comes with a 5" and a 6" backing plate though I

just use the 5" backing plate.

There is more than enough power ( 240v @ 515w ) and it is light

enough to use single handed

Would I buy another one ?

Sure but I would go for the 515 model ; same power but as

I mentioned I don't need both backing plates.

It has a 2 year warranty and for $40 I think it represents

great value and more than suitable for an amateur.
 
The Edge DA 6" pads will be available very soon in Australia, I think they are on there way. This will be all the 5 types.



Cant say too much at this stage but will keep everyone posted when they arrive. You will find the price of these to very competitive also.



Stay tuned, will be good to have some good quality pads in Australia to challenge the meguires polishing pads.
 
So, does the pad rotate in the opposite direction in Australia?



only if you flush it down the toilet :) :)



Even a pommie can appreciate that
 
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