Makita Rotary pad sizes

Wendell Jarvis

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I am looking at getting either the Makita (maybe Flex) but leaning more toward the Makita ( I am wanting to step up my detailing and my results to a new level) I currently own the PC7424, but ready to move on, my question is...I have about 30 pads LC 5.5 can I get a backing plate for the Makita to fit those 5.5 pads? Or do I have to go with a larger size pad? Also, If I read correctly, the Flex you can not buy backing plate for 5.5 pads? all feed back would be great.
 
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Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

You can run a 5" bp on the Makita for your 5.5" pads. As a matter of fact you can run 4" or even 3" pads on the Makita. The Flex rotary will accept all rotary bp, but the 3401 DA Flex will not accept any bp but the Flex... which I believe is for 6" pads.
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

You can run a 5" bp on the Makita for your 5.5" pads. As a matter of fact you can run 4" or even 3" pads on the Makita. The Flex rotary will accept all rotary bp, but the 3401 DA Flex will not accept any bp but the Flex... which I believe is for 6" pads.
Thanks Rsurfer for the reply..........I could have really dug in and did the research, but I figured someone would know the answer quicker than researching.......again thank you for the response
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

I use all the sizes on my Makita without any problems.If you want a really nice Bp look into the Meguiars line of backing plates.The W64/65/68 are really nice
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

I'm in the exact same boat as you Wendell. I was interested in the Lightweight Flex and Makita------im almost leaning towards the flex now because i feel like it might be easier for someone like myself to learn on. However, the question about the pads you asked is something i was wondering as well......sorry if i made it sound like i was stealing the thread lol
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

I'm in the exact same boat as you Wendell. I was interested in the Lightweight Flex and Makita------im almost leaning towards the flex now because i feel like it might be easier for someone like myself to learn on. However, the question about the pads you asked is something i was wondering as well......sorry if i made it sound like i was stealing the thread lol

I have both the Makita and the 3403. for a beginner i would go with the Makita hands down. The Makita is the slowest at it's lowest speed setting. As a beginner I have found the slowere you go the better you are it helps prevent holograms.
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

I have both the Makita and the 3403. for a beginner i would go with the Makita hands down. The Makita is the slowest at it's lowest speed setting. As a beginner I have found the slowere you go the better you are it helps prevent holograms.
True, but are you going to get any correction at 600rpm? The Flex starts at 1000rpm which should be the minimum for correction. If you keep the machine moving and stay away from edges and ridges (tape these areas) you will be hard pressed to do any damage at 1000rpm.
 
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.


  1. Small buffing Pads = 6" Diameter and smaller
  2. Medium Buffing Pads 7" Diameter
  3. 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.


:)
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

True, but are you going to get any correction at 600rpm? The Flex starts at 1000rpm which should be the minimum for correction. If you keep the machine moving and stay away from edges and ridges (tape these areas) you will be hard pressed to do any damage at 1000rpm.


Just to note, the Flex 3403 starts at 1100 RPM and goes to 3700 RPM
The Makita 9227C starts at 600 RPM and goes to 3000 RPM
The DeWalt 849 and Flex 603 both start at 1000 RPM and got to 3000 RPM


:)
 
Hey Wendell,
I am going to buy the Makita after I graduate! I have used the DeWalts at work for quite some time.... and want to purchase my own rotary here soon! Since I have so many 5.5 LC pads, I am going to also buy a backing plate that fits that. This will be a big change for me weight wise when getting the Makita since I am so used to the DeWalts
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

I use all the sizes on my Makita without any problems.If you want a really nice Bp look into the Meguiars line of backing plates.The W64/65/68 are really nice
Thanks Harley for the reply...yes, I looked at the Megs BP, those are the ones that I will get...I am kinda jazzed about going to a rotary....I hear that with a rotary it provides a lustre that no DA machine can match.
 
Hey Wendell,
I am going to buy the Makita after I graduate! I have used the DeWalts at work for quite some time.... and want to purchase my own rotary here soon! Since I have so many 5.5 LC pads, I am going to also buy a backing plate that fits that. This will be a big change for me weight wise when getting the Makita since I am so used to the DeWalts
Good deal on School and going to the Makita.....I have done quite a bit research into it and to me its the Best...thought about buying the Flex....but, cant really justify that cost, plus I feel a rotary can do more than a Flex.......Hey, How about our Cats ! John Wall is Chuck Norris's son............lol..........
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

I'm in the exact same boat as you Wendell. I was interested in the Lightweight Flex and Makita------im almost leaning towards the flex now because i feel like it might be easier for someone like myself to learn on. However, the question about the pads you asked is something i was wondering as well......sorry if i made it sound like i was stealing the thread lol
Audi, you are not stealing this thread, I have known you on here for close to a Year and consider you a friend....its cool. I am certainly going with the Makita.. anything else I feel like I am still trying to play it safe, when I know I can learn how to use this machine and get those knock out results that I want soooo bad....lol...in a shorter time span too.....the PC 7424 will still be used from time to time....but I gotta step up my game! take care my friend.
 
Good deal on School and going to the Makita.....I have done quite a bit research into it and to me its the Best...thought about buying the Flex....but, cant really justify that cost, plus I feel a rotary can do more than a Flex.......Hey, How about our Cats ! John Wall is Chuck Norris's son............lol..........


Beleive me... he is God. The answers to many Cat's fans prayers. It's amazing that I have been through 3 coaches throughout my college career, with my senior being the best obviously! Sucks if I have to get this job and move away! I am going to miss Lexington so much! On a funny note... my roomate is a Louisville fan so we are getting pumped for Jan. 2. We made a bet and whoever wins has to do a full detail on our car's wheels to get it fully prepped for the rest of the winter.

But, on the other hand, go with the Makita. The flex is indeed way too much when you can achieve better results using the rotary, just as long you know what you are doing (which I am sure you do). My roomate is going to buy the 3401... so I will be able to see how it compares to a traditional rotary!
 
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
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.



:)

Not only jeweling but you really can't spread at 1000 rpm. It slings like crazy. One thing nobody talks about is that at speed setting #1 the Flex's throttle is an on/off switch. On the makita the throttle is still progressive from 0%-100% of the selected speed setting. For the price of the 3403 I expected more, something along the line af a smaller and lighter weight makita..
 
Re: Malita Rotary pad sizes

Not only jeweling but you really can't spread at 1000 rpm. It slings like crazy. One thing nobody talks about is that at speed setting #1 the Flex's throttle is an on/off switch. On the makita the throttle is still progressive from 0%-100% of the selected speed setting. For the price of the 3403 I expected more, something along the line af a smaller and lighter weight makita..
Do you know how to pick up a line of polish on the panel? Or just spread the polish with the machine off. The Flex 3403 is $229 bucks and the Makita is $225 bucks...$4 bucks is that a big difference?? I'm not saying that the Flex is better than the Makita, but for me, I wanted a lighter buffer for side panels and 4 bucks did not matter. LOL BTW I have a Makita too.
 
I also own a Makita.I was able to to use the light weight flex during the extreme makover that was done on the MG that Mike P setup for a thurs night.To be honest i didn't even realize that the flex starting speed was higher then my makita.And didn't really find having a trigger that only was on and off was a big deal.Like Ron mentioned if you know how to pick up line of polish it's not really a big deal.On the other hand the weight of the machine when using it on side panels you forget or the negatives .Great machine imo
 
Im new to detailing period, I find the makita easy to use, I detailed two cars already with the Makita, one came out with holograms by me moving the buffer too quickly, but now I jus added the PC to fix it. I never try the light weight flex, so I cant comment on that one.
 
Im new to detailing period, I find the makita easy to use, I detailed two cars already with the Makita, one came out with holograms by me moving the buffer too quickly, but now I jus added the PC to fix it. I never try the light weight flex, so I cant comment on that one.
Hey don't feel bad.. I've had to go over my work with a pc because of Holo's especially on darker colors and I've done more than 2 cars.:props:
 
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