Harbor Freight DA Polisher - New

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I tested the link and that cupon vanished, but I did get the code b4 it did vanish. test it out and see if it works.
 
Sorry to keep posting single lines. It turns out that the 40 to 80% cupon was a teaser. I called the hotline and found that the best price currently available is the 25% off any one item cupon. The code for the one this month is 65002072 using the link abouve you can print that one out along with the 20% one. Hope this helps someone.:cheers:
 
I have spent over 30 hrs using one. The vibration is really bad my joints hurt for 2 days after using it for just a day. That being said yes they are pad eaters, and the really like the pads HF sells you will be lucky to get through your project with those. I bought lake county pads and well it likes them as well, but they do last a little longer. The machine is really loud so if you buy wear some ear protection. The speed control moves really easy so while you are polishing you have to keep resetting it. The power button is rather bad place and hard to turn on and off.

Now with all that if this is for a hobby or you are just starting out in business it may be the way to go so you can purchase other tools and materials that you need. Beware it does not cut quick like you better machines so if you trying to make money you might want to increase the budget for your DA and cut back in another area, a quality DA will make you more money to upgrade whatever you downgrade now.

This was my experience, I started out with a HF DA and regretted ever minute. Also remember you by the better pads you will spend more on pad replacement than you would just going ahead and purchasing a quality DA.
 
Glenn Taylor said:
I have spent over 30 hrs using one. The vibration is really bad my joints hurt for 2 days after using it for just a day. That being said yes they are pad eaters, and the really like the pads HF sells you will be lucky to get through your project with those. I bought lake county pads and well it likes them as well, but they do last a little longer. The machine is really loud so if you buy wear some ear protection. The speed control moves really easy so while you are polishing you have to keep resetting it. The power button is rather bad place and hard to turn on and off.

Now with all that if this is for a hobby or you are just starting out in business it may be the way to go so you can purchase other tools and materials that you need. Beware it does not cut quick like you better machines so if you trying to make money you might want to increase the budget for your DA and cut back in another area, a quality DA will make you more money to upgrade whatever you downgrade now.

This was my experience, I started out with a HF DA and regretted ever minute. Also remember you by the better pads you will spend more on pad replacement than you would just going ahead and purchasing a quality DA.
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Glenn--Are you using the backing plate that came with the HF DA?? Everyone I've seen has been of poor quality--had a built in wobble to it when new. Also, the backing plate that comes with it is too large for the velcro on the HF Pads and most others. I don't have one myself, but have talked to a number of guys (pros) using the HF DA with a quality 5" backing plate, 5.5" pads and are not reporting any premature pad falure. Also, there is a thread on another forum that shows how to repack the gears with quality grease causing the machine to run cooler and quieter. From what these guys say the HF DA is more powerful than the PC but less than the GG DA.
 
Glenn Taylor said:
This was my experience, I started out with a HF DA and regretted ever minute. Also remember you by the better pads you will spend more on pad replacement than you would just going ahead and purchasing a quality DA.
Click to expand...
Replace the backing plate. Dollar for dollar this machine Can't be beat. A quality plate will eliminate every problem you are having including premature pad wear.
 
A friend of mine has one and loves it.
I saw a video of the machine in action, works well.
The BP was changed out.
So far,so good.
 
Used mine yesterday for the first time and also first time ever using a DA. Truck looks pretty good till I got to the hood. Only had one pad for each step and they were getting pretty full of product

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2
 
reit38 said:
Used mine yesterday for the first time and also first time ever using a DA. Truck looks pretty good till I got to the hood. Only had one pad for each step and they were getting pretty full of product

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

Did you clean the pad? either with a terry towel or a pad brush?
 
ski2 said:
Glenn--Are you using the backing plate that came with the HF DA?? Everyone I've seen has been of poor quality--had a built in wobble to it when new. Also, the backing plate that comes with it is too large for the velcro on the HF Pads and most others. I don't have one myself, but have talked to a number of guys (pros) using the HF DA with a quality 5" backing plate, 5.5" pads and are not reporting any premature pad falure. Also, there is a thread on another forum that shows how to repack the gears with quality grease causing the machine to run cooler and quieter. From what these guys say the HF DA is more powerful than the PC but less than the GG DA.
Click to expand...

Do you have the link with the pics? I have the written instructions, but would like to see it also?
 
Didn't have a brush so I tried using a towel it definitely helped but I couldn't get it all out

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
reit38 said:
Didn't have a brush so I tried using a towel it definitely helped but I couldn't get it all out

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...

A denture brush from the Dollar Store works fine along with a MF towel.
 
I never used a DA before. But I bought the HF DA, with the 20% off coupon so paid about $50 on sale. Could not be more pleased. I have used this on two of our cars now and it has worked very well. I did switch out the backing plate as recommended

I did destroy two pads, but they were my fault. One was one of the cheap HF pads which got too hot and blew up. It was my first one I tried. I switched to a Lake Country pad and after doing most of the vehicle, I was using it on an area that was not metal so i lost track of the heat impact and blew that pad up too. I switched to buff and shine pads for the second vehicle and also switched up using two per vehicle, switching half way through and they have worked fine

I really did not notice any excessive vibration. And the vehicles came out looking fantastic, using a mix of Menzerna polish, and Duragloss polish and sealant

For personal use, to me this machine can't be beat. It makes no sense to me to invest a whole lot in a "name" machine to detail my personal vehicles once a year
 
ski2 said:
Glenn--Are you using the backing plate that came with the HF DA?? Everyone I've seen has been of poor quality--had a built in wobble to it when new. Also, the backing plate that comes with it is too large for the velcro on the HF Pads and most others. I don't have one myself, but have talked to a number of guys (pros) using the HF DA with a quality 5" backing plate, 5.5" pads and are not reporting any premature pad falure. Also, there is a thread on another forum that shows how to repack the gears with quality grease causing the machine to run cooler and quieter. From what these guys say the HF DA is more powerful than the PC but less than the GG DA.
Click to expand...

SKI2...possible to get pics please
 
can't beat it for $50, throw on a 5" backing plate and some 5.5" pads (or 3-3.5" backing plate with use of 4" pads or carpet brush attachment for the carpets) and you are good to go... :)
 
VISITOR said:
can't beat it for $50, throw on a 5" backing plate and some 5.5" pads (or 3-3.5" backing plate with use of 4" pads or carpet brush attachment for the carpets) and you are good to go... :)
Click to expand...

^ This

I've got the HF polisher with megs backer and CCS pads, also the microfiber cut and polish pads. Works great for the weekend detailer.
Just got the carpet and seat brushes, tried them last weekend. Interior turned out great, leather seats cleaned up so nice on my 14 yr old Buick.
Highly recommend the HF polisher!
 
I just got this polisher.

I need instructions. How do you remove the backing plate?

Also, are DA's supposed to have a bit of rattling noise on lowest speed, and when spinning down?
It almost sounds like something is loose inside. That normal?
 
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