I need a new rotary...

Garry Dean

Garry Dean

Garry Dean Quality!
My Makita is starting to take a poop... Ive had her for 4 years and its time to put her to rest.



I only use her on boats, RV's, and the rare heavy defect removal from paint.



I am looking at either the Dewalt 849X or the Flex PE14-2-150.



I can get the Dewalt on Amazon for $178 shipped or the Flex for $390 shipped from ADS.



Is the Flex worth twice the price? Your thoughts are appreciated... Also, I am not opposed to buying another Makita.
 
I wish I could tell you, my milwaukee is around 15 years old, still not dead....I've even run it over with my work van..



That being said, I love my 3401 so I'd be getting a flex, although I'm sure the dewalt is sweet, so IMO both are great choices
 
Definitely get a DeWalt. The new DeWalt is spectacular. Works from 600-3500 rpms, and it's a work horse. Flex however makes a great D.A. but I think the rotary is completely wimpy. Put a little weight behind it and it bogs down big time. Yes it's light weight, but the weight behind the DeWalt is nice to have, keeps the machine nice and steady and also makes it so you're not pressing down quite as hard constantly when you're polishing hoods, roofs, and trunks. In my opinion the DeWalt is worth $390 and the Flex is not worth $178.
 
Hey Gary,



I've been using the Hitachi for awhile
sp18va.jpg
and I'm happy with it, though I used the Makita 9227 for years and was happy with it too.
 
I have to shout out Whyte Wizard!......I've been using the Hitachi for awhile and I'm happy with it, though I used the Makita 9227 for years and was happy with it too:amen:
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
Go for the DeWalt... I absolutely love mine. Works great as a Dynabrade spinner as well. :cool:
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Ditto. 849x is slimmer, lighter and much less fatiguing than the old pig 849. Using it with the Dynabrade and MF pads just destroys paint defects.
 
I would highly recommend the Flex PE14-2 that is if you are willing to part $400. If not then the next best choice would be the Dewalt DWp-849X buffer
 
David Fermani said:
I used to love my Makita. Now, it's the best darn pad dryer I have...... :)
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The Makita is decent for drying pads. The old Dewalt is great since it has no soft start on it. Instant on, 3500 rpm of pad drying bad assness. That is the only thing the DeWalt in our shop is used for!
 
I have the "old" DeWalt, and I do boats, nothing else comes close. The bodyshop I use and send customers to, its DeWALT all the way. Those guys kill Makitas in less than a year. Unfortunately, I heard the "new" DeWalts are having issues. Local detail supply store said they have sent 2 back due to plastic parts breaking.
 
Yup!

This weekend, a fellow member of the KYC asked me to look at the gel coat dullness on his 1988 SeaRay, 29 foot.

I went down today and did a small test spot, used the "A" of the ABC to remove the surface oxidation, then using a 19.2 right angle drill and some pads, tested out how deep the oxidation was really down.

Yeah, the little drill didn't do what was really needed, but showed me how deep the oxidation was.

Did a another test spot without the "A" and would take twice as long to cut the oxidation off.

He wants me to do it as soon as the boat is out of the water in a month or so.

Guess what, the old Milwaukee comes out for the heavy work and compounding, then the DeWalt with a lambs wools for the final polishing.

Gave him a "rough estimate" for down to 3 inches below the "scum" line, 30 hours plus.

Gonna do some heavy work, get out the big guns.

No reason to use a Dual Action, unless I wished to make it 50+ hour job.

I don't really want to do the work, too old, but at least it will be the storage area, under cover and can work for 3 or 4 hours a day, and then take off.

Can't turn down $30 an hour on my terms.

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
Yup!

This weekend, a fellow member of the KYC asked me to look at the gel coat dullness on his 1988 SeaRay, 29 foot.

I went down today and did a small test spot, used the "A" of the ABC to remove the surface oxidation, then using a 19.2 right angle drill and some pads, tested out how deep the oxidation was really down.

Grumpy
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Have you ever just gone straight to something like 1500 or 2000 abralon type material on a sander first, then polish on a job like that?



Robert
 
I have the Dewalt (older one), Makita, and the Flex. Since I do most my cutting with the DA now I pretty much only use a rotary on certain occasions for jeweling...the Flex is great for that IMO. On full wet sand jobs I may still reach for the Makita



If you need a heavy hitter I'd go with the Dewalt...though I did use those Milwaukee tanks for years and they are very solid too, but loud.
 
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