My PC died, repair or buy rotary?

J

JAGOWNER1981

New member
Turned on my PC on saturday to buff out a black benz, thing started to spit oil where the black plastic head meets the body. I stopped using it right away when that happened. I would like to get it repaired but do not know how to, where to take it, and if it is even worth it. I am planning on buying a rotary now that my PC blew up. Any ideas on what to get? I was thinking either the deWalt or Makita model. What do you guys think?



here is a pic of the car after i was done (3M SMR, 2x Z5/ZFX). Fortunately there was a replacement PC on hand.

download.php
 
Don't buy a rotary for everyday use. Just buy a new PC or get that one repaired. Porter Cable's site has all fo the local, certified repair shops listed. If you want a rotary I say you get one for the hard jobs but not for an everyday thing.
 
I think you should have both machines so I say fix the PC (or replace it) and also get a rotary. When you start using a rotary you'll be amazed at the results it can provide. You can use the PC for light duty work or as a follow on polishing step after using the rotary (that's what I do).



My local Costco has DeWalt 849's for sale at $155.00. Check yours to see if they sell it too.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Ali, how old was your PC? Did you use it often? Just curious. :wavey



PS. Sorry hear about the lose of a good friend (tool). ;)
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probably about a year and a half. It was used SEVERAL times tho.
 
Al, www.portercable.com



They have a factory service centers all over the US, should have one in Boston.



I was thinking about taking my PC in for a tune up, needs one every 100 hours or so as stated by PC.



Jason



PS.



PORTER CABLE/DELTA SERVICE CENTER (BOSTON)

101 E CONSTITUTION BLVD

FRANKLIN, MA 02038

US

508-520-8802



Thats what was closest to Boston MA.
 
Originally posted by blkZ28Conv

Ali, how old was your PC? Did you use it often? Just curious.



PS. Sorry hear about the lose of a good friend (tool).







probably about a year and a half. It was used SEVERAL times tho.





Do I understand this correctly (“ P-C is 18 months old and used several times�)
 
AlBoston, I thought the PCs were "lifetime" machines. :(



I have been to the PC factory store/repair center in Franklin on several occasions. It's 3 minutes off I495 at the King Street exit.



Reality: i wonder if you can buy a new PC for less than they will charge for repairs. I can't touch the store's re-furb stuff when I compare it to brand-new PC equipment...it's way too $$.



Just picked up a Makita this past week. I am luvin' it. It's great and I wish I had picked one up long ago. :xyxthumbs quik review
 
Trust me - the Porter Cable is a stout unit. But anything can die unexpectedly or have a problem - homes, cars, boats, computers, buffers, puppies - they can all die or suffer problems unexpectedly.



We don't know how the PC was treated, nor do we know what exactly happened, how much it was used, etc. I think it's safe to say that Al used his "a lot," based on convo's with him in the past.



Just because one PC has failed, it isn't reason for us to cry "the sky is falling!" I've had one of my PC's since 1997, and it's worked flawlessly...but, I store it in a case, and take (what I believe to be) great care of it.



Turn off the alarm, step away from the keyboard and go give your PC's a little lovin'. It'll all be ok. :D
 
AlBoston- As others have said, the rotary and PC aren't either/or tools, so get the PC repaired. It probably won't cost too much (mine didn't, so cheap I can't even remember).



As far as dependability, I too have pampered my PCs only to have them need quite a bit of repair/refurbishment. My Cyclos, on the other hand, have been good for many (in once case twenty!) years, with NO maintenance and lots of abuse, including commercial use. The PC just isn't THAT heavy duty of a machine by comparison, in MY experience.
 
i do think i got good use out of my PC. I am definitely way over the 100 hour mark with it. I'll find out how much it is to repair. I will also be buying a rotary very soon.
 
Accumulator said:


As far as dependability, I too have pampered my PCs only to have them need quite a bit of repair/refurbishment.
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Accumulator, can you say what sort of problems you have had with the PC and are there things the rest of us should be looking out for?



My PC is probably 6 years old and get used half a dozen times per year so it's not severe usage by any means but I would appreciate knowing what sort of issues we are likely to encounter.



Thanks.
 
tom p. said:
Accumulator, can you say what sort of problems you have had with the PC and are there things the rest of us should be looking out for?
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Sorry, but I can't remember exactly WHAT the problems were :o . I DO remember the symptoms, though. One started making whining/squeaking noises like it needed lubed (in a BIG way) or like something inside the casing was rubbing, and the other made some REALLY serious sounding internal, rattling noise. These were problems you couldn't miss, they REALLY sounded "off". Happened (one problem or the other) after about every three years of use, but I wasn't using them that much back then. I suspect that had I maintained them (lubed 'em, checked the brushes, etc.) I might've headed off some of the problems; I don't have a good excuse for why I neglected them...guess I'm spoiled by the Cyclos.



Since then I've been using them more often and so I have them inspected/"gone over" every few years (I think the last bill for this was about $35) and all's been well until now, the one's starting to rattle again. Currently, it's only noticeable when it's spinning down after shut-off. We'll see what it takes to fix it. Not sure how the other one's holding up, I lent it out a while back.
 
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