rotary....is lighter really better?

[NattyBumppo]

Would like to get some feedback from folks who use a rotary on a regular basis. As a rotary newbie and only part time fee based detailer, price and weight were key factors when it came to my rotary purchase decision. Having used the rotary for a few months now and getting a lesson from Steve (Poorboy), I'm not sure lighter is really better.



When Steve was using my Porter Cable 7428 rotary he commented, more than once, at how light it was and that because it is so light it is prone to wobble and requires more pressure maintained on the tool/pad. I've also noticed, especially on vertical panels, that it is easy to lose the smoothness of operation and begin to experience wobble. Constant attention is needed to keep it flowing smoothly along the finish.



So what do you all think? I know the Dewalt is a fairly heavy machine and used by a large number of pros and body shops. Is this one of the reasons why? Even the Makita, often touted as the lighter tool, is heavier than the Porter Cable 7428.

 

[johnson]

How light is the PC 7428?



$289 from Coastal Tool.

5.1 lbs.

http://www.feinus.com/polisher/WPO12-27E.htm

 

[NattyBumppo]

How light is the PC 7428?



$289 from Coastal Tool.

5.1 lbs.

http://www.feinus.com/polisher/WPO12-27E.htm

Wow, 5.1 lbs is the featherweight of the bunch!



Hmm, something doesn't seem right. Checking manufacturer webs sites reveals the Makita 9227 at 6.6 lbs, the PC 7428 at 8.0 lbs and the DW 849 at 8.25 lbs. I thought the DW was much heavier than that and the PC much lighter than that.



At 6.6 lbs the Makita is extremely light. I've never used the Dewalt but have hoisted it alongside the PC7428 and it did seem more than .25 lb heavier than the Porter Cable.



So you folks out there that have used the Makita and DeWalt, what's you take on lighter vs. heavier?

 

[Ryan]

Get the cyclo! THe weight is perfect. It has 5X the power of a PC. Many companies have tried to duplicate the countersink of the cyclo andhave failed. The PC requires you to actually atach a weight to the machine where as the cyclo is already internally counterbalanced. It is comfortable to use and is made of cast aluminum for durability.



Ryan

 

[grandprixlar]

I think you need to use what ever you are most comfortable with.

I have the Porter Cable 7428 and I like the way it feels. I use a Gem orbital that weighs 16lbs. Some would say that is too heavy but I'm comfortable using it.



Ryan - The Porter Cable 7428 is a rotary buffer, not orbital. You cannot compare the Cyclo to this buffer.

 

[Ryan]

The rotary is a good tool. I have been using it while the cyclo is being fixed but once the cyclo gets back I will use it for polishing and wax applixation. Everything but compounding. Now the trick is will the Meguiar swirl free polish and DACP get results with the dual action cyclo as they do with the rotary???