PorterCable vs. DeWalt Polisher

J

jdmack

New member
Hi,

I'm new to Detail City, but I've been reading alot over the winter. I see that most members swear by the PC Polisher. I have a Dewalt variable speed polisher. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the two and whether you think the Dewalt is ok to use?

Also, can you offer up some info on pad selection?

Thanks

J
 
I don't have the answer you are looking for but I do know that PC makes superior products in general. DeWalt is Black and Decker in a yellow wrapper. I own DeWalt products and they are good but I don't think that they are as good as PC. I am sure that the DeWalt will do the job but not as long lasting. Just my 2 cents.

Usta
 
Usta HaveA Hemi said:
I don't have the answer you are looking for but I do know that PC makes superior products in general. DeWalt is Black and Decker in a yellow wrapper. I own DeWalt products and they are good but I don't think that they are as good as PC. I am sure that the DeWalt will do the job but not as long lasting. Just my 2 cents.

Usta
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Funny you say that, because IIRC Porter Cable was bought recently by Black & Decker.
 
HA HA! That was funny! :lmfao :hah :rolling Now, back to your question. I am not sure what "Polisher" you have from DeWalt. But I have a feeling the difference may be that a PC is a "Random Orbital" type of machine, and the DeWalt "polisher" is probably a rotary machine. If that is true, here's the difference: A random Orbital (or RO) can NOT damage your paint. Simply put, the more pressure you put on it, the less it spins, so it won't create heat like a rotary. The downside is that they may not be able to get out Extremely bad defects. The rotary will be able to get out severly damaged paint, and also it will get out minor defects much faster. In a word, a PC/RO is for a novice (anyone can safely use them), a rotary polisher is for a more experienced person. I hope that helps. BTW, I always thought of it the other way around: a DeWalt was contractor grade B&W, and much better than Porter Cable. Personally, in my trade(electrican), DeWalt and DeWalt 4PAKS are king. I guess it doesn't matter if B&W bought PC too.
 
If you have the RO Dewalt (DW443)its a much better machine then the PC . It also cost more and isn't as adaptable as the PC is with some pad systems.
If thats the model you have and of the Hook and loop pads will work with it .


LINK
 
jdmack said:
Hi,

I'm new to Detail City, but I've been reading alot over the winter. I see that most members swear by the PC Polisher. I have a Dewalt variable speed polisher. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the two and whether you think the Dewalt is ok to use?

Also, can you offer up some info on pad selection?

Thanks

J
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Hey jd......... Welcome!

Yep, you need to tell us if the DeWalt you have is the RO polisher, or their rotary. If it's the DeWalt DW443, it's a pretty good machine, but lacks the slower speeds that the PC offers. However, that's not to much of an issue, as you could still use it for paint cleaning/polishing, but probably not applying waxes/sealants.
 
I guess I have been out of the power tool loop for to long. I stand corrected. That is really to bad because PC use to be my favorite line of tools. Now we will have to wait and see it the quality drops. Wnen B&D bought DeWalt they went south and then quality came back up.

Good day! Usta
 
The DW443 is a very stable machine, and a very balanced one two. You can press more or less that the speed wont chance. The advantage of the PC is that you can change plates and pads more easily.
 
TDMAN said:
HA HA! That was funny! :lmfao :hah :rolling Now, back to your question. I am not sure what "Polisher" you have from DeWalt. But I have a feeling the difference may be that a PC is a "Random Orbital" type of machine, and the DeWalt "polisher" is probably a rotary machine. If that is true, here's the difference: A random Orbital (or RO) can NOT damage your paint. Simply put, the more pressure you put on it, the less it spins, so it won't create heat like a rotary. The downside is that they may not be able to get out Extremely bad defects. The rotary will be able to get out severly damaged paint, and also it will get out minor defects much faster. In a word, a PC/RO is for a novice (anyone can safely use them), a rotary polisher is for a more experienced person. I hope that helps. BTW, I always thought of it the other way around: a DeWalt was contractor grade B&W, and much better than Porter Cable. Personally, in my trade(electrican), DeWalt and DeWalt 4PAKS are king. I guess it doesn't matter if B&W bought PC too.
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I would have to agree. I am in construction and Dewalt is by far the best tools we use. As far as power tools that can be bought off the shelf. The only thing that comes close is Milwaukee. In fact the only Porter Cable tool I own is my polisher.
 
I work for Black & Decker and the first thing I thought about when we acquired the Porter Cable line was the PC orbital. I've been asking about a discount on PC products, but they say we can't do it yet.
 
thanks for the info guys. I actually have the DW847 model dewalt polisher. I'm a bit of a novice using rotary and/or random orbit polishers, so I may pick up the porter cable anyway.

I too work for B&D, and since we've acquired Portercable I've been thinking of picking up the RO polisher. Actually, I've talked to a couple guys at work and I'm thinking about trying to retro my DW847 into a 18 or 24V cordless system. I'll let you know how that works out. If I get my hand on a PC, I may see if I can do something similar.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Now, I just need to get some product and detail my car and the wifey's and post some pics.

Thanks again,

J
 
jdmack said:
thanks for the info guys. I actually have the DW847 model dewalt polisher. I'm a bit of a novice using rotary and/or random orbit polishers, so I may pick up the porter cable anyway.

I too work for B&D, and since we've acquired Portercable I've been thinking of picking up the RO polisher. Actually, I've talked to a couple guys at work and I'm thinking about trying to retro my DW847 into a 18 or 24V cordless system. I'll let you know how that works out. If I get my hand on a PC, I may see if I can do something similar.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Now, I just need to get some product and detail my car and the wifey's and post some pics.

Thanks again,

J
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Don't go cordless with the PC. You'll spend more time changing "packs" then you will polishing......... unless you drive a "Mini Cooper"! :D
 
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