Looking to buy a Rotary Buffer

[md20]

I am looking into buying a rotary buffer to step up my results. What one is a good one to get for a first one. What other pads and such will I need to get. Any suggestions or help will.
Thanks
Mike

[Ticman]

Re: Looking to buy a Rotary Buffer

I am looking into buying a rotary buffer to step up my results. What one is a good one to get for a first one. What other pads and such will I need to get. Any suggestions or help will.
Thanks
Mike

I would get a Rotary that will do 600 rpms on the lowest setting. When you first start learning slower speeds will give you a larger margin for error. I always start at 600 to spread the product and then speed up and I also finish at 600 as well. Slower speeds will cut down on hologramming as well.

That being said the Makita 9227 and the Hitachi SP18VA are two good choices. The are both light weight and have plenty of power. Dewalt DW849 is a good tool but it's heavier than these two. The weight really makes a difference when work the side panels.

As far as pad I use the same pads I use on my G100. I have 6.5 and 4 inch pads. I have some 8 inch pads as well but I feel you would be better off staring with the 6 inch pads. They're easier to handle.

Tic

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Looking to buy a Rotary Buffer

Here are some things to think about:

Speed - As Tic said, the slow speeds help a lot when you are first learning.

Weight - Some polishers are a lot heavier than others and lend themselves to compounding duties. Others are lighter (Metabo) and are really nice for polishing.

Pick-up - Some polishers (Makita) have a slow pick-up which prevents the polisher from skipping - it's an instant 1200 rpm.

I really like my Makita. The weight is just right and is very comfortable to use. I bought mine off eBay hardly used with bag for $140.

As Tic said, the pads are just the same as the G100 pads. The polishing pad seems to work even better on the rotary.

[Jimmy Buffit]

Re: Looking to buy a Rotary Buffer

Will you be using the rotary often?

If so, my current favorite is the Hitachi SP18VA, also.

If only for occasional use, look to Harbor Freight/Chicago Electric (really!). We have several in our shop, and they work just fine. We found them on sale for $24.95 - throw away the backing plate that is included - and go with 6" Meguiar's pads.

Remember, a rotary simply makes the pad go round...

Why do we have so many? One example, while we seldom use wool pads these days, when we want to get very aggressive nothing beats a big honkin 8" wool pad! Well, rather than spending the time to change pads AND backing plates, for about $40, we have a dedicated tool that is ready to use...

Try a search for Chicago Electric, you'll find lots of rotary suggestions.

Good Luck.

Jim

Good Luck

[Ticman]

Re: Looking to buy a Rotary Buffer

I just realized the OP was back in May.