Harbor Freight Rotary Buffer

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kemefk

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Hello Everyone! I have been reading alot of threads on this forum and it has some really great info! Glad I could be part of this. Now...to the point....I went to harbor freight a few week back and bought the following electronic rotary polisher (this is the link): 7" Electronic Polisher
Now, I will admit I am a complete newbie with polishing and with that said...I did purchase the Porter Cable DA polisher but one of the biggest things I hate about it is the vibration. That was the reason I picked a cheap rotary buffer from HF to see how it is. I bought a Meguiars W64 backing plate for it and was using Meguiars W8006 pads to polish my father's car. Don't worry...my father doesn't really care what happens to the car. One of the things I noticed about the machine is that it does bog down even when applying even little pressure. I really don't want to go past 2000 RPM to get the proper RPM when the machine is on the car because I really don't want to burn the paint so my question to everybody is has anybody used this rotary buffer with success like a Makita or a Dewalt? And if so, what type of pads and backing plates do you guys use? Any tips on RPMs for this rotary buffer? Finally, would I have better success with a Makita or Dewalt? I really like the feeling of a rotary buffer because of less vibration. It was a little tough to control it at first but I quickly learned that slightly tilting the pad will help move the buffer in the direction you want it to. Its my first post...so go easy on me!
 
kemefk said:
Hello Everyone! I have been reading alot of threads on this forum and it has some really great info! Glad I could be part of this. Now...to the point....I went to harbor freight a few week back and bought the following electronic rotary polisher (this is the link): 7" Electronic Polisher
Now, I will admit I am a complete newbie with polishing and with that said...I did purchase the Porter Cable DA polisher but one of the biggest things I hate about it is the vibration. That was the reason I picked a cheap rotary buffer from HF to see how it is. I bought a Meguiars W64 backing plate for it and was using Meguiars W8006 pads to polish my father's car. Don't worry...my father doesn't really care what happens to the car. One of the things I noticed about the machine is that it does bog down even when applying even little pressure. I really don't want to go past 2000 RPM to get the proper RPM when the machine is on the car because I really don't want to burn the paint so my question to everybody is has anybody used this rotary buffer with success like a Makita or a Dewalt? And if so, what type of pads and backing plates do you guys use? Any tips on RPMs for this rotary buffer? Finally, would I have better success with a Makita or Dewalt? I really like the feeling of a rotary buffer because of less vibration. It was a little tough to control it at first but I quickly learned that slightly tilting the pad will help move the buffer in the direction you want it to. Its my first post...so go easy on me!
Click to expand...

Ok, will go easy.
Please read the rules of posting to this forum, as in no links to other sites hawking products for sale..
 
Welcome! To the point lol you bought a cheap buffer...electrical things from HF are not the best of quality....less vibration but much more muscle to control the buffer. they have there pros and cons.
 
You get what you pay for. sounds like the HF buffer doesnt not have forced rotation like rotary polishers like makita, dewalt, etc would.
 
Sorry Largebore, I only linked it so people would know which buffer I am talking about. The only reason I got it is because I just wanted to see how it worked. I really didn't want to spend $200 dollars on a professional machine to find out later that I did not like it.
 
kemefk said:
Sorry Largebore, I only linked it so people would know which buffer I am talking about. The only reason I got it is because I just wanted to see how it worked. I really didn't want to spend $200 dollars on a professional machine to find out later that I did not like it.
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No problem, just letting you know that there are some rules that are pretty important to be aware of....
 
Largebore, can you point me the direction where the forum rules are so that I don't make stupid mistakes like that again. I am having a tough time finding it. Thank you.
 
kemefk said:
Largebore, can you point me the direction where the forum rules are so that I don't make stupid mistakes like that again. I am having a tough time finding it. Thank you.
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ha that is a good question... I will ask
 
Thank for the rules. I really like the feel of the rotary compared to the porter cable. I know the porter cable is easy to control but my arm literally becomes numb after just doing a single section of my car. I have been reading literally everything there is about rotary buffers and watching every single video on how to use it so I am pretty aware of the risks. I have practiced with my HF buffer on my father's car using M83 and it is great to use except for the fact that it does bog down. I actually get really really good results from it. It will take out heavy swirls beautifully leaving just a few slightly deeper scratches. That is why I am really interested in a rotary buffer. I have the money to purchase the new DeWalt DWP849X but I want to see if I can get anything out of this cheaper buffer. That is why if anybody else used this same buffer, I just would like to hear their experience to see if it is worth keeping for now before upgrading.
 
kemefk said:
Thank for the rules. I really like the feel of the rotary compared to the porter cable. I know the porter cable is easy to control but my arm literally becomes numb after just doing a single section of my car. I have been reading literally everything there is about rotary buffers and watching every single video on how to use it so I am pretty aware of the risks. I have practiced with my HF buffer on my father's car using M83 and it is great to use except for the fact that it does bog down. I actually get really really good results from it. It will take out heavy swirls beautifully leaving just a few slightly deeper scratches. That is why I am really interested in a rotary buffer. I have the money to purchase the new DeWalt DWP849X but I want to see if I can get anything out of this cheaper buffer. That is why if anybody else used this same buffer, I just would like to hear their experience to see if it is worth keeping for now before upgrading.
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Ha..... read the customer reviews on the website that you linked in your original post.
The machine is a piece of trash as per the reviewers on the site...
 
Yea...i know...i wasn't expecting rotary buffer greatness out of this thing.
 
Portercable is by far the best machine for a beginner. By a pair of gloves and deal with the vibration. Be a man damnit. Lol
 
Lol....I thought that being a man is when we all move up to using a man's tool like a rotary buffer!:D
 
Well you are half way there.
Step 1- buying a rotary or orbital(preferably not at harbor freight)
Step 2- don't whine about vibration!

Follow those steps and you will become a man :)
 
Agfan said:
Well you are half way there.
Step 1- buying a rotary or orbital(preferably not at harbor freight)
Step 2- don't whine about vibration!

Follow those steps and you will become a man :)
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Point taken. Do you have any recommendations on a rotary buffer? I was considering the new DeWalt DWP849X. In addition, what type of backing plate would you recommend for it? I am not sure if I should get the LC backing pads or the Flex Foam ones.
 
kemefk said:
Point taken. Do you have any recommendations on a rotary buffer? I was considering the new DeWalt DWP849X. In addition, what type of backing plate would you recommend for it? I am not sure if I should get the LC backing pads or the Flex Foam ones.
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Any takers? Anybody's input on this would be great!
 
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