I'm still not following the "power" debate. The pad spin is created by motor spin, as long as the motor is spinning the pad will continue to spin until the friction between the paint and pad exceeds the friction between the motor and pad. You can stop the pad without stopping the motor or the even bogging it down. The only way to change the amount of pressure it takes to stop the pad is to reduce the friction between the paint and pad (smaller pad) or increase the friction between the motor and pad (increased speed). Snowmobile clutches work on a similar theory and can be adjusted with weights to allow the clucth to engage or disengage at different times. If you are telling me the GG has a different set up that allows it to spin with more friction between paint and pad than other DA's, I'll go with that, but I cannot find anything in data that supports that. I can't agree with "it has a more powerful motor" theory because the pad on my PC stops well before the motor boggs down, power has never been an issue.
Has there ever been a comparison of how much presure it takes to stop the pad from one DA to another? This would be a better point than just assuming it can power through because it has a bigger motor
I'm not saying the GG is not a good tool, not even trying to say that it's not better than the PC. My only point is to stick to why one is better than the other in performance not because it has a bigger motor. I can put a bigger motor in a car all day, but if the power exceeds the tires ability to grip the pavement, I'll never get the benefits of the power (at least of the line). Again, my ONLY complaint with my PC is the round body, power has never been an issue. The GG looks like an outstanding tool and has an excellent warranty. I think anyone purchasing either tool would be happy.
It would be nice to find someplace that has both so you can actually hold them in your hand, feel the balance and weight and go with what feels the best/most comfortable to you. You hold them for a long time while working, ergonomics are very important. I do like the look of the grip over the head on the GG.
I don't think there is a power debate. I have both tools and the GG6 is MUCH more powerful than a PC. When I say "powerful" I'm talking about the ability to spin a large pad (6.5") on a complex panel. I can't imagine anyone who has used both tools didn't notice the difference. Someone can dissect all the minutiae on how the machines work, friction, and there mechanisms, etc... But to say "power doesn't matter" or "output power can't be determined so it's irrelevant" - just doesn't make sense to me. You can use the tools and FEEL the power difference first hand. Many people on this forum have.
So, I think the discussion in the past was that input power means nothing. Zero. Zip. Gives no indication of anything. So I guess it's just a huge coincidence that the LEAST POWERFUL DA commonly sold here (the Griots 3") is rated (IIR?) at 240w / 2 amps. While the most powerful free spinning DA is the GG6 is rates at 850w / 7amps.
The high power rating of the GG6 is even part of the sales copy on AutoGeek:
"Griot’s Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher has established a reputation among detailers and enthusiasts for having the ability to remove just about any paint imperfection imaginable including water spots, swirls, oxidation and even light scratches! This is largely due in part to its powerful 7 amp motor that packs a whopping 850 watts of paint-polishing power. The smooth, powerful motor delivers low-end torque and a wide, 5/16” diameter orbit ensures uniform material removal."
So, if input "power" doesn't matter at all, it seems we are being mislead by someone...
I've never heard the motor on any free spinning DA "stop". So, to say because the motor keeps spinning (when the pad stops) that power doesn't matter, would mean all free spinning machines would work the same - because there isn't a mechanical connection from the motor to the pad. You should be able to put the largest pad on the little tiny 3" Griot"s polisher and it would work fine. Because that motor won't stop spinning either - but the pad will easily. Why do you think there has been so much criticism of that machine? No power.
I'm not sure. I thought it was common knowledge. I'm not talking about correction power - that's infinitely variable. I'm not saying any machine is "no good" or bad, I'm talking about one specificity thing: the power of the machine to keep the pad spinning on a complex or curved panel. I have the Rupes 15 as well and the GG6 will keep the pad spinning better on a complex panel better than that as well. Numerous people have commented on the Rupes 15/21 stalling on a complex or curved panels.
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