has rupes retired the rotary to bodyshops only?

Appreciate all the great responses and insight. Im willing to put in the time and dedication to learn. I just feel so much more comfortable with a rotary then a da. Just the decision of getting the flex or a dewalt 849x. Im a pretty big guy (6"4 290) weight is not the issue just have hands like baseball mits. Lol

Used the DeWalts a zillion years ago and they are great... Big, though...

I like the Makita 9227C I have because while it is long, it is not very wide, and It works well for me in terms of balance, and power... And the longer body of the Makita might be easier to work with your giant-man-hands... :) Try to go get one of each and hold it in a bunch of different positions and see which one feels better, is better balanced for you, and is more comfortable with your hands...

In my work, I will always pick a least aggressive compound over a more aggressive compound and work it a little longer and harder to get the results I want and then have a really nice clear finished product..

The Makita is really good for this kind of hard work and doesn't complain or have a fit when I sometimes put down a LOT of pressure on it..

Other times, with other paint and needs, just the 10lb weight of the Makita is all needed to get the correction, so I like that too..

The Flex PE14-250 is great, small, and light, but makes a lot more gear noise than I care for.. Handier because it smaller...

On all Rotaries I have, I have installed a standard sized spacer between the machine and Backing Plate to allow me to get the pad into spaces where the machine might be in the way, like under side mirrors, over side mirrors, around some areas of painted grills next to lights, etc... Basically anywhere you need to get closer and not have the machine head/body be in the way..

You will now need to remember to WATCH that spinning spacer and NOT let it contact anything !!!

Like I have always said, you totally need to be watching and watching everything that is going on while doing this at any speed... Cant get too distracted or thinking about that hot babe walking by.... :)

Good luck !
Dan F
 
I just finished a wetsand on my new Vette - I bought all the orange peel denim pads for my orbital and realized it would work, but it was gonna tale a looong time. Bust out the rotary and I was done with a panel after 3 -4 passes. I'll never give up my rotary.....
 
Working on boats all I buy is Makitas for my team in addition to GG for waxing but the sheer size and abuse gel coat and marine paints see the rotary is the only efficient way to buff them.
 
I still like and use a rotary. Sometimes to finish as well, if I'm in the mood. When I detailed full time, the rotary was still the tool of choice for the professional, so I would say that over 80% of the cars I have detailed, I finished with a rotary.

That said, nowadays, I much prefer to finish (and do most corrections) with a DA, because they are the more challenging and complex machines. With a rotary, you control: angle, movement speed, RPM and pressure... that's it.

With a DA you control angle, movement, speed, RPM, pressure and the balance of orbit to rotational speed which is a huge difference.

I personally think DA's are just cool and, if explored to their full benefit, offer some unique advantages over a rotary polisher.
 
I still like and use a rotary. Sometimes to finish as well, if I'm in the mood. When I detailed full time, the rotary was still the tool of choice for the professional, so I would say that over 80% of the cars I have detailed, I finished with a rotary.

That said, nowadays, I much prefer to finish (and do most corrections) with a DA, because they are the more challenging and complex machines. With a rotary, you control: angle, movement speed, RPM and pressure... that's it.

With a DA you control angle, movement, speed, RPM, pressure and the balance of orbit to rotational speed which is a huge difference.

I personally think DA's are just cool and, if explored to their full benefit, offer some unique advantages over a rotary polisher.
So, you're saying a DA is harder to master than a rotary? :p
 
I still like and use a rotary. Sometimes to finish as well, if I'm in the mood. When I detailed full time, the rotary was still the tool of choice for the professional, so I would say that over 80% of the cars I have detailed, I finished with a rotary.

That said, nowadays, I much prefer to finish (and do most corrections) with a DA, because they are the more challenging and complex machines. With a rotary, you control: angle, movement speed, RPM and pressure... that's it.

With a DA you control angle, movement, speed, RPM, pressure and the balance of orbit to rotational speed which is a huge difference.

I personally think DA's are just cool and, if explored to their full benefit, offer some unique advantages over a rotary polisher.

Sounds like you just got bored after mastering the rotary and needed a new challenge todd.lol
 
I grew up using a rotary. I will use the pc sometimes for light corrections. Just used to using the rotary. I tried using the pc on one of the semi trucks I do. Way to long to do a spot with that hard paint
 
Both are tools to be used and a must in many shops. IMO all depends on the work you do and what you need each tool to do.
 
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