porter cable or griots garage

87rx7chick

87rx7chick

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i am on a tight budget.

i will be returning my northern tool rotary buffer, it heats up and smells like burning electronics and the worst part is it creates holograms (could be user error but oh well) and i rather just return it and get a DA orbital buffer

i am on a tight budget, i am looking at the

Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher

or

Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher

thing is, it looks like with the porter cable your pretty much required to use bonnets (yuck!!) or change out the head to one of your choice.

it looks like the porter cable has less amp. but does this matter compared to the griots?

comparing the 2 which is more smooth to work with ?
i used a flex today and it was a bit rough on the hands at high speeds but after a min of rest the soreness went away. what i dont want is something to rough on the hands leaving u in pain for a few hours!!! (been there done that)


so with a budget of 150$ shipped in mind. and not having to buy attachments to be able to use hook and loop attachments. whats the word?
 
Hello!
I have only used the PC7424XP and is user friendly, great quality and you can find a lot of accessories... You can not go wrong with this machine..!:buffing:
 
You could get a Lake Country backing plate along with the PCXP for under $150. There is free shippin on orders over $75 right now.

As for which one is better.... I haven't hear anyone come out and say that they've tried both and _______ is better. I don't think you can go wrong with either one really. They are both much better that the 1st generation PC7424 and Griots. I'm not sure which one has less vibration. They are probably pretty similar.
 
Mike Phillips tested both and stated the Griot's was in fact a more powerful machine. I believe the Griot's is the best one on the market right now. It will come with the hook and loop backing plate, too. Really, you can't go wrong with either.

Colin
 
When looking at a tool just because it has more power does not mean it is better. It comes down to who makes a better tool, Porter Cable is one of the best tool makers out there. Also with the Porter Cable and 5.5 inch pads and with your knowledgw of 105 and 205 you are pretty much set. I have both tools and there really isn't much difference to me. Also something you will need to remember is that all da's are going to have that vibration.

As far as your rotary, it is a process to learn that will not cause your holograms and when you instill them you can take them out with the right technique.
 
The Griot is a bit more powerful and comes with a lifetime warranty. However, Porter Cable is known for their reliability as they are thousands of 1st generation 7424 that has been time tested. They are both good machines and you can't go wrong with either one. Btw my first Griot lasted for a whole 2 min. and shut down. AG promply replaced it and the second one seems to be fine.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
When looking at a tool just because it has more power does not mean it is better. It comes down to who makes a better tool, Porter Cable is one of the best tool makers out there. Also with the Porter Cable and 5.5 inch pads and with your knowledgw of 105 and 205 you are pretty much set. I have both tools and there really isn't much difference to me. Also something you will need to remember is that all da's are going to have that vibration.

As far as your rotary, it is a process to learn that will not cause your holograms and when you instill them you can take them out with the right technique.
Click to expand...

amps and watts make for better motors to my knowledge, weather that motor is better or not is up to the manufacture. just like Horse Power in engines. less horse power may not compete. alton brown once said "watts is where its at" but that was about a kitchen appliance, though what he explained made sense to me.

the technique to eliminate holograms happening in future projects, well, fact of the matter is my northern tool buffer does start smelling like burning electronics. i could just go out and get ANOTHER rotary buffer but i think, after using the flex, i would be more happy with an easier to handle, lighter weight DA buffer. im defiantly returning the northern tool buffer

i could spend hours and hours learning under some ones watchful eye to teach me how to work with the rotary buffer. or i could use what i learned from steve today with the DA buffer and just buy one that is similar to his.

no doubt that i will be tossing the rotary to the curb and going with DA. to me it makes FAR less of a mess, and its easier to work with, lighter weight in the hands and seemingly faster with better results with my skill level.

Im the MAN
 
The key sentence to your post, it depends on the manufactor on whether it is better. Just because it has more does not mean it is more reliable. When it comes to racing having the most horsepower will not always win either. Good luck with your da purchase and from reading your post you will jump right in there and get a handle on the da.
 
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ASPHALT ROCKET said:
Good luck with your da purchase and from reading your post you will jump right in there and get a handle on the da.
Click to expand...

thanks! yeah im learning from a great guy!!!:buffing:


should have it figured out in no time, especially after the holidays when i have more money to buy accessories :dblthumb2:
 
I have had my PC 6 years and 0 down time. I'm not a huge fan of buying something in the first year of production, alot of the original "Ultimate Detailing Machine" buyers learned that the hard way, everybody jumped to it cuz it had more power than the PC, well guess what, its durability was terrible.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
The key sentence to your post, it depends on the manufactor on whether it is better. Just because it has more does not mean it is more reliable. When it comes to racing having the most horsepower will not always win either. Good luck with your da purchase and from reading your post you will jump right in there and get a handle on the da.
Click to expand...
in there and get a handle on the da.[/QUOTE]

:iagree:

You can't always go by the one that seems to have more. It can be more of something that you will never use or not even notice the difference in having it. It's like getting an SUV 95% of all SUV'S never are driven off road so who cares about what degree of an incline it can climb. You have to concern yourself with the features and benefits of the machine that matter most to you. What ever you do don't get sucked into believing some of the outlandish claims some people make about their toys. If it sounds to good to be true tell them to prove it. Everyone is entitled to have their opinion not to many people will run out and spend $150.00 just because TOM #### or Harry likes it. But if someone makes a claim that a specific machine will out perform its competitor under conditions that in fact makes that competitor cease operating all together some people might make a purchase decision based on that Just make sure that that person can back up their claims with facts and not just some cheap talk.
 
No offense but throw some commas,,,,,in that commentary, that made my head spin..
 
Just a comment...

There's a time and place for all the different tools being talked about and everyone has their favorite and their opinion.

As far as the choice between a PC and a GG goes, both tools bring a lot of power to the table, as pointed out, the Porter Cable name carries with it a long history of reliability, I've been using and teaching others to use this tool as long as anyone and probably longer than most and buffed out zillion cars with them so you're never going to find me putting this brand down.

I've also used the Griot's Garage ROP and someone on this forum I posted my thoughts on it, suffice to say, I was very surprised at how much power this tool offers.

In the big picture, both tools will get the job done and you can use any backing plate and foam pad system that's designed for use with dual action polishers with either tool.

You have a lot of experienced and talented people chiming in on this thread and with either tool you decide to go with you're not going to be disappointed. I've met Richard Griot's and he's the real deal when it comes to "Car Guys", I've never met Mr. Porter Cable but again, the brand name's reputation is as solid as concrete.

In a way, it almost comes down to your friend's opinions and...

Red?

or

Gray?


Did that help?

:laughing:
 
I use my G100 (PC 7335) with the Soft Buff 2.0 and it works great and I recently bought some 5.5" LC pads from AG and can't wait to try them (cold here right now).

I can't make my mind up if I want the PCX or the GG machines.......

I'm gonna flip a quarter on it I think.....

You can't go wrong with either one I don't think.

When I get one or the other, my G100 will be 4" and 5.5" pad duty and the new one for bigger pads.....

Can't lose with either one.
 
unclestu said:
You have to concern yourself with the features and benefits of the machine that matter most to you. .............
But if someone makes a claim that a specific machine will out perform its competitor under conditions that in fact makes that competitor cease operating all together some people might make a purchase decision based on that Just make sure that that person can back up their claims with facts and not just some cheap talk.
Click to expand...

well you make a good point. so please go ahead and tell me the features and benifits of the machine that matter most.


i havent yet really heard a true comparison other then the griot has less of a reliability factor.

i believe the both have the same features.... just one already has a hook and loop on it and one you have to buy one for....


u make a good point but your not really helping me choose one Im the MAN



so far i am most likely going with porter cable. but unfortunately i rather have the loop handle design of the griot's
the side handle of the porter im still iffy about since well, i've tried both handle designs and i like one design better then the other

Bradshaw said:
I have had my PC 6 years and 0 down time. I'm not a huge fan of buying something in the first year of production, alot of the original "Ultimate Detailing Machine" buyers learned that the hard way, everybody jumped to it cuz it had more power than the PC, well guess what, its durability was terrible.
Click to expand...


i agree but, i bought a scion XD in the first year of production and i absolutely love it. 2 years going strong on mine.

then again i bought a dodge caliber in the first year of its production and it was complete crap. dodge claims durability but just doesnt deliver.

toyota rarely disappoints. (ive owned 2 so far and bf has 1 also)

so this lesson can also be applied to the buffer concept. u got to look at the company as a whole, do they use cheep parts? are they trying to save a buck here and there? what warranty do they have and do they honestly back it up.

dodge didnt do crap for my none working radio buttons on stearing wheel, engine rattle noise, water leak from roof trim, and squeeky breaks.

toyota, i had squeeky breaks (lots of rain one year) and they replaced pads and machined rotors free of charge @ 12,000 miles on my scion. they could have claimed normal wear and tear like dodge did.


all and all its the company that makes the machine, not the machine that makes the company (or in porter cable its both)
 
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87rx7chick said:
i haven't yet really heard a true comparison other then the griot has less of a reliability factor.
Click to expand...

I think it would be more accurate to say that the Griot's tool hasn't been on the market as long as the Porter Cable since the Griot's tool is new to this market. It could be that it's just as reliable, just not proven over time yet. There's a subtle difference. :)


87rx7chick said:
i beieve the both have the same features.... just one already has a hook and loop on it and one you have to buy one for....
Click to expand...

They both use hook and loop backing plates and you can change them to the size you want. The Griot's comes with a very nice 5 7/8" backing plate that is the re-enforced style and the stock PC 7424XP does not come with a backing plate you have to purchase one extra. Point being the both use the same "type" of backing plates.

87rx7chick said:
i rather have the loop handle design of the griot's
the side handle of the porter im still iffy about since well, i've tried both handle designs and i like one design better then the other
Click to expand...


Or try them with no handle at all and you might like that option also.

Here's some related reading...

DA Polishers - Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all?

Rotary Buffers - Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
I think it would be more accurate to say that the Griot's tool hasn't been on the market as long as the Porter Cable since the Griot's tool is new to this market. It could be that it's just as reliable, just not proven over time yet. There's a subtle difference. :)




They both use hook and loop backing plates and you can change them to the size you want. The Griot's comes with a very nice 5 7/8" backing plate that is the re-enforced style and the stock PC 7424XP does not come with a backing plate you have to purchase one extra. Point being the both use the same "type" of backing plates.




Or try them with no handle at all and you might like that option also.

Here's some related reading...

DA Polishers - Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all?

Rotary Buffers - Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all


:)
Click to expand...

wow. your like an expert or something :dblthumb2:

haha your awesome dude ur like the library index of this forum!
 
When it comes to electrical tools wattage is what counts, it is a direct correlation to the power differences when comparing tools (taking into account slightly different drive mechanisms). if you are talking "power", wattage is what counts!!. The Griots has a wattage rating of 30-40% higher than the others, it therefore should be substantially more powerful.
 
So what is the difference between the PC 7424XP and the "Ultimate Detailing Machine"? They are selling those things for 30% off and I'm thinking about getting one. Is it not the 7424 XP with a gimmicky name or is there more to it than that?
 
sparkism13 said:
So what is the difference between the PC 7424XP and the "Ultimate Detailing Machine"? They are selling those things for 30% off and I'm thinking about getting one. Is it not the 7424 XP with a gimmicky name or is there more to it than that?
Click to expand...

It is the same machine !!! With a gimmicky name as you put it !!! LOL !!!!!!!!!!
 
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