Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes
In a perfect world, the Flex Lightweight 3403 would offer a lower RPM range for those that like buffing slow.
I purchased a Makita Rotary Buffer in 1988 and still have it today, most of the detailing work I've done in my life has been with a rotary buffer, not a dual action polisher. Most Newbies to machine polishing are using dual action polishers and that's why I type more about them than I do rotary buffers.
I agree with Ron that for correction work you need to be around the 1000 RPM range and I buff almost everything around the #1400 to #1600 RPM range.
The only people I know that use the lower RPM's like the 600 RPM setting on the Makita 9227c are people that are doing a technique that Todd Helme made famous called Jeweling.
The Flex Lightweight is so light weight that with small pads it's very easy to control and learning to control a rotary buffer is learning to master the rotary buffer. The Makita 9227C is a full size buffer and while and while it's only 3+ pounds heavier than the
Flex Lightweight, it is still larger in size than the Flex Lightweight RB and the extra size and weight does make it more difficult to control as compared to the Flex Lightweight rotary buffer especially for Newbies to the RB.
- Small buffing Pads = 6" Diameter and smaller
- Medium Buffing Pads 7" Diameter
- Large Buffing Pads 8" Diameter and larger
If we use the above sizes for dividing buffing pads into three categories, then as long as you are planning on using small foam buffing pads I would suggest the Flex Lightweight 3403 Rotary Buffer. If you plan on doing a lot of serious rotary buffer work including buffing out a lot of entire cars, (not just the hood), and using large buffing pads, then I would suggest the Makita 9227C
Or if you're into this for the long run, purchase the Lightweight first and learn the way of the rotary buffer and then a few months down the road purchase the full size Makita Rotary Buffer.
