Is there such thing as as 4" rotary polisher?

L

LeadingEdgeDetail

New member
I know I can get 4" pads, since I have them for my PorterCable polisher...



I have been doing quite a bit of wetsanding & polishing on custom airbrushed motorcycle parts, and I am realizing that the largest hurdle for me polishing out the 2500 grit wetsanding has been my 6.5" pad on the Makita.



I would think about putting a 4" pad on the Makita, but the machine itself os so bulky and heavy, I'd love something smaller.



I think air-powered is my only option if I want to go smaller than the Makita and keep it rotary?



Opinions?



Thanks!
 
The Metabo 12-175 is smaller. It used to be a bit shorter too, but they added that funky hand pad.

I'm sure there's an older version out there somewhere. Current version



Here's a great thread comparing the Metabo 12-175 to the also small Flex 3403: autopia thread



These are also popular machines, but not all that much smaller, considering you'e polishing motorcycle parts:



Flex PE 14-2 150 Compact Variable Speed Polisher / Festool RAP 150 Shinex Rotary Polisher



If you're going air-powered, I like this one: Mirka MR-30



mr-30-650x471.jpg




I have a customer that is a car & bike builder/painter, pin-striper, airbrush expert. With all the small parts and sharp edges he has to contend with, he's never felt in total control using a typical rotary. He saw my friend Derek Bemis polishing a hot rod using a Meguiar's random orbital polisher, and liked what he saw. He called me, and we had a long discussion prior to setting him up with his own Meguiar's machine. He uses the 3" and 5" DA Microfiber Discs, a handful of various backing plates, and even 3" and 6" sanding discs! He is one happy camper... and as long as you're willing to step the sanding out to 2500 or 3000 grit, I see no reason why this sort of machine wouldn't work for you, too.



You could even use a 3" version of an electric random orbital... they're really small:



Griot's Garage 3" Random Orbital Polisher

GriotsGarage3inchRandomOrbitalPolisher.jpg




Metabo SX E 400 3-1/8" 220 Watt Electronic Disc Sander (random orbital)

MetaboSXE400.jpg
 
StumpyDetailing- I'm guessing you're not inclined towards pneumatics, but FWIW, the 3" pneumatic that Griot's sells is *GREAT*. A true defect-killer even though it's "only" a RO as opposed to a rotary. For some reason (haven't investigated why- speed? throw?) it doesn't create the same "misty splatter" that my Griot's 3" *electric* model always seems to.



Kevin Brown- I bet the (new) Metabo's forward grip comes off, as per the Flex 3401...if one doesn't mind a bit of heat.
 
I *love* pneumatics, however I no longer live near my Dad's workshop and his rediculous air compressor... he now has a little Speedaire that can't really power a pneumatic sander long enough...



pneumatic tools require such flow & volume, a pretty hefty compressor is necessary... Add that to the fact that I am 98% mobile, sort of kills pneumatics for me :(



If I could find an enclosed trailer and air compressor I'd switch completely to pneumatic!
 
Drills are even more bulky and cumbersome than my Makita, due to the distance from the pad to where your hand is... drills you have 8", Makita & other angle-grinder type machines are 3" or less... Center of gravity for the machine may be what I'm trying to get at... As well I don't think many drills have 1200, 1500, 2000rpm settings :)



Thinking about it more, perhaps I should just find a 4" backing plate for my Makita Rotary and try that out for a while, I'm not having terrible fatigue problems now, and that would be the most economical solution...



Will check my local autobody supply store tomorrow and see if there is such thing :)
 
Accumulator said:
StumpyDetailing- I'm guessing you're not inclined towards pneumatics, but FWIW, the 3" pneumatic that Griot's sells is *GREAT*. A true defect-killer even though it's "only" a RO as opposed to a rotary. For some reason (haven't investigated why- speed? throw?) it doesn't create the same "misty splatter" that my Griot's 3" *electric* model always seems to.



Kevin Brown- I bet the (new) Metabo's forward grip comes off, as per the Flex 3401...if one doesn't mind a bit of heat.
Click to expand...



StumpyDetailing said:
I *love* pneumatics, however I no longer live near my Dad's workshop and his rediculous air compressor... he now has a little Speedaire that can't really power a pneumatic sander long enough...



pneumatic tools require such flow & volume, a pretty hefty compressor is necessary... Add that to the fact that I am 98% mobile, sort of kills pneumatics for me :(



If I could find an enclosed trailer and air compressor I'd switch completely to pneumatic!
Click to expand...



If you ever make the switch... this lil' guy is IT:



Rupes HLR 75 15mm stroke Random Orbital



rupes-lhr75-800x599.jpg
 
There are also right-angle electric drills.



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dewalt%20right%20angle%20drill.jpg
Bosch-1132VSR-rw-80715-148327.jpg




I have a Sioux myself. I picked up the backing plate but I haven't tried polishing with it yet.



img_SI2-8800ES.jpg












pc
 
Kevin Brown- What with that Rupes reference and your link to the other thread, it's almost like you and Theal are ganging up to nudge me into one of those :chuckle:



stumpydetailing- That's what I do, just put a 4" plate on the Makita or the Metabo.
 
Accumulator said:
Kevin Brown- What with that Rupes reference and your link to the other thread, it's almost like you and Theal are ganging up to nudge me into one of those :chuckle:



stumpydetailing- That's what I do, just put a 4" plate on the Makita or the Metabo.
Click to expand...



You need another polisher like I need another Paint meter! :grinno: Rupes is nice stuff! Kevin has been trying to schill that 3 inch on me for a while! I told him "My wife is happy with the 6 inches I have already!" :chuckle: No in all seriousness Since Sema last year I have been wanting there 6 inch Polisher. It was really that nice. Its not the end all be all, but man its sexy and smooth.
 
Barry Theal said:
Kevin has been trying to schill that 3 inch on me for a while! I told him "My wife is happy with the 6 inches I have already!"
Click to expand...



Just thought I'd quote this in case anyone wanted to use it in the future and the original disappeared ... LOL
 
RaskyR1 said:
The Flex pe14-2-150 rotary polisher with 3" and 4" pads is pretty compact and joy to use. :)



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20120324-_MG_6606.jpg
Click to expand...



Festool rap 80 for rotary though i do love the lh18ens by rupes since it has a higher clearance that helps a lot while working in awkward angles or a clear view is extremely important and festool rotex 90 for da . What is really fun with the rotex is adding the protector from the aftermarket set festool offers which allows you to choose how close you want to get to the trim . The lhr 75 15mm orbit is a little bit too much when you are trying to get to really tight spaces and really close to trim . I it was not designed for that though and for it's actual purpose no tool can match it .
 
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