Noise level comparison between Harbor Freight DA and other DAs

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deacno

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I picked up a Harbor Freight DA the other day and was surprised how loud it was. This is the first time I handled a DA so I have nothing really to compare it. Even at the lower speeds it was fairly loud, almost like a circular saw sound. In fact, the pitch sounds exactly like a circular saw but maybe a few dBs quieter (not much though).

I know the noise is going to be an issue (not for me since I can wear earplugs but the neighbors since Ill be working outside). Is the noise level typical for DAs are there other quieter ones?
 
I don't think it's that loud.. IMO they're all about the same.

Tell whoever you live with to stand outside and turn on the polisher while you're inside in normal conditions with the windows shut.. You'll probably realize it's no big deal at all.
 
I always wear earplugs, or in ear monitors.

I think my Duetto is the loudest, and my 3401 is the quietest.
 
I wear headphones, because whenever I go outside to do anything related to cleaning a car, the dog nextdoor begins barking endlessly at me behind the closed window. Stupid dog drives me crazy. Lol.
 
I just bought one and packed with the red high pressure grease. This reduced the noise considerably and also reduced the vibration. It still vibrates however as it is dual action!
 
How do you like it (function wise) and which one did you get?

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dlc95 said:
i always wear earplugs, or in ear monitors.

I think my duetto is the loudest, and my 3401 is the quietest.
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THIS! :props:

I remember way back when I first got my Duetto, then a few months later there was a You Tube video with Mike Phillips playing on our big screen (5000 watts of surround sound) while I was in another room, and I INSTANTLY knew that it was that distinct Rupes whine.

OTOH... I get some of my best listening in with my RHA MA750's whilst washing, buffing, and detailing in general. ;)
 
deacno said:
I picked up a Harbor Freight DA the other day and was surprised how loud it was. This is the first time I handled a DA so I have nothing really to compare it. Even at the lower speeds it was fairly loud, almost like a circular saw sound. In fact, the pitch sounds exactly like a circular saw but maybe a few dBs quieter (not much though).

I know the noise is going to be an issue (not for me since I can wear earplugs but the neighbors since Ill be working outside). Is the noise level typical for DAs are there other quieter ones?
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Im surprised no one has mentioned this but there is a common mod or addition to be made to this good little diamond in the rough. ADD GREASE TO IT. Most of them do not have grease on the gears, it's all splattered on the top cover. Open it up and either use the same grease and apply all over the right areas or upgrade to a better quality grease. If possible please do a before and after audio or video to see if this indeed helps with your noise problem. Both hf da's I have are used and the previous owners already modded them. Plenty of how to vids on the tube and tutorials here.
 
My opinion instead of buying an unfinished diamond. Select a good quality correcting, polishing, and waxing tool available for purchase from several PBMG stores that just happens to provide and support this awesome forum:xyxthumbs:
 
JRP said:
My opinion instead of buying an unfinished diamond. Select a good quality correcting, polishing, and waxing tool available for purchase from several PBMG stores that just happens to provide and support this awesome forum:xyxthumbs:
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I agree.

I remember seeing my friend use his HF and it was very loud, and heavy. The PC is not as loud, a little smoother, and about a pound lighter. What can you expect from a cheap Chinese made tool?
 
A cheaper price is to be expected and for some that makes the difference. Do they work and do the job? Yes, reviews out say they do regardless of what others think. There isn't anything wrong with paying 3 times the amount of an hf polisher to have some peace of mind, some of the more popular brands are made in China as well are those cheap too?
 
For those of us who will use it once a year, or maybe just once period, it makes perfect sense. I have yet to read a bad review on its effectiveness. Backing pad isn't the greatest. That's all I read bad.

I also have yet to come across a review saying one burnt up.

For those like me who want to correct swirls, but want to save some and do it myself, and also don't trust any local shops, it is a no brainer. I'd rather put the other hundred bucks toward my chemical products and microfibers.

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mwemaxxowner said:
For those of us who will use it once a year, or maybe just once period, it makes perfect sense. I have yet to read a bad review on its effectiveness. Backing pad isn't the greatest. That's all I read bad.

I also have yet to come across a review saying one burnt up.

For those like me who want to correct swirls, but want to save some and do it myself, and also don't trust any local shops, it is a no brainer. I'd rather put the other hundred bucks toward my chemical products and microfibers.

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk
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I'm on the same boat, for a weekend warrior i think it fits. For a business probably not? Although some claim they use these for their detailing business and they compare to the more expensive ones.
 
Steelholder said:
some of the more popular brands are made in China as well are those cheap too?
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I am going to have to disagree with you on this a little. I am basing this on the fact of owning a Meguiar's MT300 which is made in china, the PC 7424XP that is made in the USA (this was before they moved to China) and the Rupes which I just purchased a few months ago. My brother owns a HF DA and I have used it before to try it out.

I will say this. The HF DA is the loudest. The MT300 and PC are not too far behind it. The Rupes is the quietest one of the bunch. I have had the PC 7424XP the longest. It's a workhorse. Not one time has the machine failed in all the years I have owned it. The Meguiar's MT300 has failed me twice with the dreaded power cord. Each time after using it on 5 vehicles. As much as I like Meguiar's, I question the quality and reliability of the tool. I am not saying it's a bad machine. It's actually a very good machine when it is working. Does that mean the MT300 is cheap? I will leave that for each person to decide. But for me personally I am going to have to say yes in comparison to the higher end tools.

Seeing all the tools side by side, one can appreciate the quality of some of the higher end tools. The Rupes for example has much better quality than the HF DA, the PC and even the MT300.

The HF DA is the heaviest one of these tools that I have used. Let alone the vibration from the HF and PC being rough on the hands. The MT300 and Rupes MKII have better ergonomics to avoid hand fatigue.

In the end it's up to each person to decide what tool to select.
 
Thanks for that, as you already know you're the one who turned me to this hobby, im a noob. For me spending hundreds on a machine just starting off didn't make sense. I did however want the advantages of a DA and the hf price allows rookies to be able to use the extra funds for chemicals and accessories. If you're new and want to spend more please do, I'll keep rejoicing at the fact i got mine for 20 bucks and it came with good grease and a modified weight for less vibration.
 
I wonder howmany more of these HF DA threads are going to pop up...

Also if it were a decent polisher wouldn't AG have stocked it as an entry level, door opener into the detailing, machine polishing world?

I'm beginning to think all these HF owners only use the AG forum as their support line.
 
Zubair said:
I wonder howmany more of these HF DA threads are going to pop up...

Also if it were a decent polisher wouldn't AG have stocked it as an entry level, door opener into the detailing, machine polishing world?

I'm beginning to think all these HF owners only use the AG forum as their support line.
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Why would they sell it? Its Hfs personal line.
Sounds like you're saying if ag doesn't have it its not good. You're mad there's posts on AG? That's probably because it's a good reasonably priced machine after a couple mods.
 
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