picked up a rotary today

S

spetulla

New member
picked up the chicago electric model. after shopping around I found out that the makita / dewalt models (~150-200 bucks) weren't for me. Id just be using it a few times a year so I got the chicago electric.



It was $29 at harbor freight, with no shipping becuase its local. Came with a hookit backing pad, so more savings there.



All in all I think I came out with a great bargain, I have some lake country pads and will be using them tomorow- can't wait :)



sam
 
Sweet! Be sure to let us know how you like it! Do you have some other polisher to compare it to (even orbitals)?



I just placed an order for one yesterday online...$25 without the hooked backing plate, plus shipping and handling. I'm going to call Top of the Line tomorrow hopefully and see if they can hook me up with a 6" velcro backing plate. What size backing plate/pads are you planning on using?



Kev
 
spetulla said:
picked up the chicago electric model. after shopping around I found out that the makita / dewalt models (~150-200 bucks) weren't for me. Id just be using it a few times a year so I got the chicago electric.



sam
Click to expand...



I wish that was true but once you get the hang of using a rotary and view the results you will be using on almost every car you do.



The lower priced models though will not hold up to that type of use.



I am not knocking your choice just pointing out that once you see the difference a rotary makes on the finish you will wonder how you got along without it.



Anthony
 
Dang, I was planning on only using it a few times a year too. I can see how it would be fun and addicting! :)



Hopefully it'll tie me over 'till 1. I get the hang of rotary polishing, and 2. I start making more money. :)



Thanks for telling us though, Anthony.



kevin
 
I just checked out that polisher at the Harbor Freight website. Then I looked at the picture of the Vector I just bought. I put two and two together and realized that they are the same polisher. The only apparent difference is the color of the case. Check both of them out. You got a really good deal at 30$. And yes they are addictive. I spent this afternoon polishing up the hood on our 16 old RED tractor. I will definitely get some photos of that. It is quite a site to behold.
 
Anthony,



Have you ever seen or used the cheaper buffers? I just got one, as well, and I'm under no illusion that it's a DeWalt of Makita or Milwaukee. But, I'd also like to know what the difference is, from a pro.



My impression, from looking at the tools and hefting them, is that it's the difference between a Boeing and a Tupolev.





Tom
 
well i used it today. i started to get the hang of it at the end, doing the edges first and working my way in. it is addictive :) it definitely likes to be followed by my porter cable afterwards though, the PC takes ALL the swirls out right away and leaves the finish looking great.



right now im loving this routine:



heavy cut meguiars with yellow pad on rotary

DACP on PC with yellow pad

GEPC on PC with white pad



i had my car wetsanded down with 1000 grit and that made all the sanding marks go away and left a beautiful swirl free shine
 
http://www.swaylocks.com/cgi-bin/discussion/archive.cgi/read/18855



interesting to read...how does your's sound? It might be worth disassembling just to re-grease anyway... I'm not exactly sure what kind of grease would be good for something like that, though. I suppose any kind of grease, as long as it is used frequently, would be good, huh?



The link is about a different polisher, [only 2 speeds], but it might be worth checking into for our polishers...



One comment on what you did to your car...I would say that was maybe too agressive, they say sometimes you just have to live with some defects. On the other hand, if the finish wasn't very good at all to begin with, then what does it hurt. I guess you achieved a great finish, and that is all that matters.



Regardless, I'm glad to hear your success!



kev
 
Mosca said:
Anthony,



Have you ever seen or used the cheaper buffers? I just got one, as well, and I'm under no illusion that it's a DeWalt of Makita or Milwaukee. But, I'd also like to know what the difference is, from a pro.



My impression, from looking at the tools and hefting them, is that it's the difference between a Boeing and a Tupolev.





Tom
Click to expand...



Tom,



The difference is not so much in the heft or the weight because I also run a Metabo that is just as small as the PC and perhaps a tad lighter but a hell of a machine. The big difference comes in the dependability.



I may run my Dewalt or Metabo for hours and hours and the only break they get is when I change pads. For a variable speed polisher it is important to have a well built machine because of the extra wear and tear placed on the trigger when "feathering" it around delicate or tight areas, such as body seams. This is when you squeeze and release the trigger quickly which causes the polishing wheel to pulse in bursts instead of running at a consistant rpm, hence less heat build up.



Now low price does not always mean "low quality" but the general rule is "You get what you pay for". I paid $200 for my Black and Decker Automotive Series Polisher 13 years ago and it finally went out on me last year. Hell of a good machine.



So as you run your buffer listen to it and see if it has any odd "grinding" sounds or if the trigger seems a bit loose or unresponsive. Also use an air compressor to blow it out every so often. Helps keep it running cool.



Hope that helps,

Anthony
 
Thanks for the tips, Anthony. Do you ever grease your machines? Also, how do they typically "wear out" - trigger, brushes, or gears...I guess those are the three main components, huh?
 
Thanks for the tips, Anthony.



Boeing = refined, well finished, lots of attention to detail



Tupolev = flies



Actually Tus are really good aircraft. I wanted to say something like Honda & Skoda, but I didn't think that was apt. I'd just read an article about 30 and 40 year old aircraft in the third world, and a lot of them are older Soviet planes, and that was the image I had, of a nice shiny Airbus or Boeing next to a no frills Tu turboprop. Maybe not totally equal, but, hit & miss, y'know.



Tom
 
crx,



I grease mine only after the warranty runs out. Then you can order the grease from them or ask them what they recommend for lubrication.



It is usually the triggers that wear first, especially if you "feather" alot. Next usually comes the brushes BUT the main thing that wears out before others, and most often is the cord!!



Right where the cord attaches to the buffer or rather exits from the buffer, is also the place where it gets the most twisting and begins to break up inside and causes shorts. You will be buffing along one day and then suddenly the power goes out and you check the outlet by instinct but notice everything is plugged in. Well if this happens you can almost bet that your cord is breaking inside and causing it to short out. Crack open the buffer and either cut off the bad area and re-splice it or buy a new cord.



Either way it is a fairly easy and cheap repair and then you are back in the money!



Anthony
 
Dang, two seconds after I push reply, your post comes in. I shoulda waited a sec. Oh well. :)



Thanks for taking the time begin here; you're a wealth of knowledge. I'll be sure to keep those things in mind!



If I recall correctly, the warranty on these polishers isn't much, 30 days at most, so I'll probably end up greasing it after I email harbor freight asking the question.



Thanks again, Anthony!



kevin
 
Mine sounds decent. it could sound a little smoother but the sound did not make me hesitate to use the rotary, it sounded fairly normal and similar to the dewalt I had used over the summer.



as for using too harsh of products, this was what I found I needed to get al the swirl marks out, i tried meguiars fine cut and it did not do a good enough job.
 
I need to jump in here!



I've had the Chicago Electric buffer for about a year now. ($24.99)



I also have a Fein rotary buffer (Coastal Tool, $300).



I use the the Fein alot - it is a very good tool.



The Chicago Electric buffer is also quite good. Immediately (upon reciept) THROW WAY the pads and backing plate that come with it. Do a search for pads and backing plates... you'll find plenty... it is a fine machine for the "weekend warrior"/occasional use.



PRACTICE on on an unimportant piece...maybe a tractor?



good Luck!



Jim
 
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