Hercules forced rotation polisher...

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DUBL0WS6

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Picked up a Hercules FR polisher today. First thing I did was reposition the handle slightly upward. The next thing I did was remove the backing plate and looked for grease on the gears. My unit had grease but I added a bit more Super Lube for added protection. I didn't dig any further into the machine. The Hercules is easier to work with than the Bauer long throw. I'd recommend using a pad with a center hole for heat dissipation. I used flat pads but I'll try dimpled pads sometime in the future.

I used speed 6 for compounding. The faster speed seemed to be easier to control. It seems that working with the pad completely flat on the surface might not be the best method. A slight tilt seemed easier to control. I used speed 4 for polishing. The Hercules is pretty powerful and isn't like a bucking bronco once you get the feel for it.

Some people have complained about the speed dial but mine seemed to be fine.
 
Yeah, dont let the machine handle you. Flat is what ya want, unless your buffing up on edge obviously

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I gave mine a test hit the other day as well and agree it did seem to be easier to control on the higher speed setting. I bought a smaller backing plate so I could run 5.5" pads.

The forced rotation action did require some getting used to but overall I like the machine, its a steal for what its going for currently. Seems like the cat is out of the bag now, the price has increased slightly and my local harbor freight is out of stock.
 
I picked up the last one on the shelf. The other store close to me was sold out.
 
Polished out my hood with the hercules polisher and it was a joy to use!

Usually with a free spinning DA I would resort to use a 3" pad/backing plate for the smaller areas then swap it out to a 5" for larger areas, but not with the hercules! I was able to get into all the contours from just using the edge of the pad. I underestimated just how useful forced rotation could be.

Started out using a thicker tangerine lake country hydrotech pad and ended up with using a thinner Griot's yellow perfecting pad since I didn't need much cut. Turtle Wax 1 & Done was the abrasive.

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Glad to see Harbor freights new and improved line. The merchandise selection is hard to beat!
 
DanaDetailingPros said:
Glad to see Harbor freights new and improved line. The merchandise selection is hard to beat!
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A little off topic...but for a reasonably priced and effective foam cannon...pick one up at HF. They are currently 24.99. My local HF has trouble keeping them in stock
 
Prange said:
Is that yogurt used as a finishing polish? :)
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Yes, it is called "Probiotic Paint Perfection" :laughing:

All jokes aside, this hercules polisher provides some incredible value, only time will tell if it will hold up over the years.
 
I wonder if beveled edge pads might be more effective in tight to reach areas where a flat pad might be too bulky?
 
DUBL0WS6 said:
I wonder if beveled edge pads might be more effective in tight to reach areas where a flat pad might be too bulky?
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Possibly. I'm currently using the smaller 4.5" backing plate with 5.5" pads so I have an inch of pad to play with which does help some.
 
I prefer the thicker pads on forced rotation da. 1, due to heat produced, which can heat up and deteriorate the pad faster. But also heat transfer to the paint.
2, cuz you have the ability to use pressure on the machine to your advantage if more cut or faster correction is needed.
3. Edging is made pssible with think pads

My first 4 passes usually get ass behind the machine, and the last 2 passes i lighten up on the pressure

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SNP209 said:
Seems like the cat is out of the bag now, the price has increased slightly and my local harbor freight is out of stock.
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i knew it was going to go up in price (and will continue to). at $149 (where i can see it eventually settle) it still would be a deal for what you're getting. hopefully, they (HF) don't browse detailing forums because i'm not trying to give them any ideas... :/
 
VISITOR said:
i knew it was going to go up in price (and will continue to). at $149 (where i can see it eventually settle) it still would be a deal for what you're getting. hopefully, they (HF) don't browse detailing forums because i'm not trying to give them any ideas... :/
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They just came out with a hercules cordless rotary, going for $110 tool only...
 
I had the car at a shop getting the window fixed. Got home and found a scratch. Not sure exactly when the scratch happened. Busted out the Hercules and some Megs 105 after Griots compound didn't completely knock it down. I used a LC CCS orange pad. The CCS pad was really easily controlled with the forced rotation polisher. Followed up with a flat Griots yellow polishing pad and it worked fine but wasn't quite as smooth as the CCS pad.
 
I wish this tool is available here in Australia.
 
DUBL0WS6 said:
I had the car at a shop getting the window fixed. Got home and found a scratch. Not sure exactly when the scratch happened. Busted out the Hercules and some Megs 105 after Griots compound didn't completely knock it down. I used a LC CCS orange pad. The CCS pad was really easily controlled with the forced rotation polisher. Followed up with a flat Griots yellow polishing pad and it worked fine but wasn't quite as smooth as the CCS pad.
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Do you think the difference in smoothness was due to the CCS pad being thicker or the CCS dimples themselves?
 
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