Bought the Griot's 6" ROP..........AGAIN!!

[VISITOR]

The reliability isn't so great as the unit can die on you at anytime

just like with any other tool... warranty = :xyxthumbs:

 

[Kurt_s]

Ok Mark,

For those of us with a PCXP but not a Flex, GG ROP or rotary, what would be the priorities for #2, #3 and #4 machines if we were adding to our machine inventory?

Flex DA
GG ROP
Rotary
Something else?

 

[Finemess]

:xyxthumbs:I love mine..

Ditto!

 

[kronos]

Flex DA
GG ROP
Rotary
Something else?

Buffpro!

 

[kronos]

For those of us with a PCXP but not a Flex, GG ROP or rotary, what would be the priorities for #2, #3 and #4 machines if we were adding to our machine inventory?

You mean you only have a PCXP? IMO, the next logical machine to add would be a rotary. The PCXP may not be able to turn the pad adding 100lbs of pressure like the griots, but at the proper weight of 15-20lbs, it should turn a 5.5" pad just fine. My old PC is able to turn a 5.5" pad with 20lbs of pressure with no problem and it will easily knock out any holograms I induce with my makita rotary. Other than those two, I would probably like to buy the 3401 next so when I want to do one-steppers, then maybe the 3403 for its compactness for those tough to reach areas.

 

[Kurt_s]

You mean you only have a PCXP? IMO, the next logical machine to add would be a rotary. The PCXP may not be able to turn the pad adding 100lbs of pressure like the griots, but at the proper weight of 15-20lbs, it should turn a 5.5" pad just fine. My old PC is able to turn a 5.5" pad with 20lbs of pressure with no problem and it will easily knock out any holograms I induce with my makita rotary. Other than those two, I would probably like to buy the 3401 next so when I want to do one-steppers, then maybe the 3403 for its compactness for those tough to reach areas.

Well, like, um... l only own a PCXP.

The PCXP with 4" and 5.5" pads, surbufs and microfiber pads seems to be adequate for most of the things with which I deal as a hobbiest. If a rotary or Flex knocks off hours of work per car, then another machine could be in my future. I have a hard time justifying replacement of my PCXP with a GG when a Flex or Rotary might give me greater capabilities.

What is a Buffpro? I am not familiar with it.

 

[CEE DOG]

somehow I saw this one coming ....

:laughing:

 

[BobbyG]

Even though my Flex 3401 far exceeds the power and ability of my Porter Cable 7424, there will always be a place for the smaller unit. I've dropped own in pad and backing plate sizes to 5 1/2" and I even have a 4" set up for those hard to reach areas.

While I don't use it nearly as much as I used to for paint correction its primary use is for applying sealants and waxes. I use it for this as much as I can because of its ease and consistency.

My Machines

• Craftsman Professional Rotary 2 speed sander / polisher - 42 years old
• Makita 9227 Rotary Polisher
• Flex 3401 Dual Action
• Flex PE14-2-150 Rotary Polisher - On Order
• Porter Cable 7424 Dual Action

 

[bodavenport]

Love mine, soooo much more powerful than a PC

 

[RaskyR1]

Congrats on getting the Griot's ROP....again Mark!




I'd like to add that I have been using the PCXP since it came out and I have zero issues with it under heavy pressure. It takes far more pressure than I will ever need to apply in order to stop the rotation. That being said I still wouldn't mind getting a Griot's machine.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I think the Griot's 6" ROP would be a better tool with a few tweaks,

• Move the On/Off switch to the top like the PC

• Move the variable speed setting switch

• Modify the plastic housing over the head of the unit so that if you don't use the handle it will stay on by itself like the Megs and Griot's plastic housing

About the plastic housing on the head of the polishers, see this thread,

Handle? Or No Handle? - Using DA Polishers Without the Handle




As for the power of the GG ROP, here's what I posted previously over the last year or so...

11-29-2009

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...rs/22033-got-chance-play-griots-da-while.html

Excerpt

Man oh man! So much has changed since I started detailing! You guys that are just starting out now should feel very lucky with the tool/pad/products choices you have available to you now.

I'll second that. Things have changed a lot and almost all for the better. It's now faster and easier to remove swirls and create a show car finish with less talent due to the tools, pads and chemicals.

And the aspect of the GG ROP that really stands out for anyone that's been using a first generation dual action polisher.

But even at speed 5 it was tough to slow this thing down! Very powerful motor!

It has tons of power!

That's what I kept telling you when we we're buffing out the 1954 Mercedes-Benz, it's like a safe version of a rotary buffer. As long as you're holding the pad flat you can't really stop the pad from rotating and it's in this way it's like a rotary buffer only no swirls and the safety factor provided by a free rotating spindle assembly.

Removing Swirls using a GG 6" ROP on a 1954 Mercedes-Benz

Thanks for the review Nick!

IF you're looking for the the Griot's Polisher on the Autogeek store you can find it here,

Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher

Also note, the new Porter Cable 7424XP also has more power than the first generation PC and a time-proven track record when it comes to reliability, if you want to stick with the PC brand you can find it here,

Porter Cable 7424XP

Both tools offer dramatically more power in their ability to rotate a pad than first generation dual action polishers.
​

Here's another...
11-22-2010

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...83-griots-garage-6-porter-cable-7424xp-2.html

Excerpt

Hello Mike,

I am currently on the market for a polisher but have never used one before. I am either going to purchase the Griot's Garage 6" or Porter Cable 7424XP.

If you were in my shoes which one would you buy and why? Please dont tell me they are both equal . They are almost the same price so the price is not a factor.

You can't go wrong with either tool, in my experience, the Griot's can maintain pad rotation at the 6.0 speed setting as good or better than the PC 7424XP but the reality is that both tools will easily keep a 5.5" pad rotating under pressure so they will both do correction work about the same speed.

You won't finish a complete detail dramatically faster with one over the other. I've commented on this forum and other forums that with the right pad and product combination, using the Griot's was like using a safe version of a rotary buffer. This is because as long as the pad is rotating it's basically doing the same thing a rotary buffer would do only the pad can be stopped.
​

The Griot's definitely has more power than both the Megs and PC unit and I'm always wondering if Porter Cable will see they've been one-upped, and bring out a new and improved version?

The key to great correction ability with any of these tools starts with using thin, small diameter pads. Thin is in...


I know I personally like the fit and finish of the PC better than both the GG and the G110v2, it's smaller, lighter and the switch and variable speed dial are located in better places.

And who knows... behind the scenes their maybe a new knock-off of this tool to be introduced that will one-up the Griot's for the ability to keep a pad rotating under pressure while still offering the Free Floating Spindle Assembly.

:xyxthumbs:

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Ok Mark,

For those of us with a PCXP but not a Flex, GG ROP or rotary, what would be the priorities for #2, #3 and #4 machines if we were adding to our machine inventory?

Flex DA
GG ROP
Rotary
Something else?

Hi Kurt,

90% of people will say to add a rotary to your PCXP. However, I tried a rotary and didn't like it at all. It has a VERY different feel than a DA. On horizontal panels I was starting to get the hang of it, but on vertical panels, what a PITA that was. Sure, everything takes practice, but I know a rotary is not for me. However, you may love a rotary. I'm pretty much set with my Flex 3401 and GG DA. :xyxthumbs:

Congrats on getting the Griot's ROP....again Mark!




I'd like to add that I have been using the PCXP since it came out and I have zero issues with it under heavy pressure. It takes far more pressure than I will ever need to apply in order to stop the rotation. That being said I still wouldn't mind getting a Griot's machine.

Rasky! Thanks, bud! :dblthumb2:

I'm not saying the PCXP is a bad machine as it's been proven to do some GREAT work. On speed 6, it's not *easy* to stop the pad from rotating, but *easier* than the GG DA. That was my point. Anything below speed 6 on the PCXP is kinda worthless for correction, IMO. Do you ever use below speed 6 for correction?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I'd like to add that I have been using the PCXP since it came out and I have zero issues with it under heavy pressure. It takes far more pressure than I will ever need to apply in order to stop the rotation.

I agree.

That's what I meant when I posted this earlier in this thread...

The Griot's Garage 6" ROP does have the most power to maintain pad rotation under pressure from my own personal experience but here's the deal...

With either the PCXP or the GG, the amount of pressure you have to apply in order to get a thin, 5.5" pad to stop rotating is so excessive that you bend sheet metal.

You would never push this hard with either tool for correction work, it's just too much pressure for the task at hand, so while the GG may have more power to keep the pad rotating under pressure, when both tools are used the way you would use them to actually buff out the car the end result is the same, that is you put the tool on the 6.0 setting with a 5.5" pad and buff out the car.


Key point -->You don't necessarily finish any faster because you still have to move the tool slowly over the surface when you're removing swirls and scratches.

Don't limit yourself to one tool...

If you have a PC or a GG, maybe add the Flex 3401 to your tool collection next, put it on your Wish List for Santa. Or look into moving up to a rotary buffer.


:xyxthumbs:

 

[Tom Weed]

I have the Griot's 6" ROP and really like it, it's my go to with 4" pads. I wouldn't mind getting another one day for a backup. I have the first gen one as well and it doesn't have near the power and only has the large backing plate thats not changable.
It makes a great sander and I use it for LSP's as well. I have the old PC 7424 and it is my dedicated carpet brush machine.

 

[RaskyR1]

Hi Kurt,

90% of people will say to add a rotary to your PCXP. However, I tried a rotary and didn't like it at all. It has a VERY different feel than a DA. On horizontal panels I was starting to get the hang of it, but on vertical panels, what a PITA that was. Sure, everything takes practice, but I know a rotary is not for me. However, you may love a rotary. I'm pretty much set with my Flex 3401 and GG DA. :xyxthumbs:




Rasky! Thanks, bud! :dblthumb2:

I'm not saying the PCXP is a bad machine as it's been proven to do some GREAT work. On speed 6, it's not *easy* to stop the pad from rotating, but *easier* than the GG DA. That was my point. Anything below speed 6 on the PCXP is kinda worthless for correction, IMO. Do you ever use below speed 6 for correction?

Not really, at least not for correction anyway. Occasionally if I'm using 5.5" pads, and especially 4" pads I will use speed 5.