M
Mike Phillips
Guest
Review: Makita PO5000C Orbital Polisher - Gear-driven and Free Spinning - Mike Phillips
Makita PO5000C Orbital Polisher
First thank you to all the fine staff at Makita for trusting Autogeek to test the prototype for this tool back in 2014 and again to launch the final production version here in 2017!
From the Makita Website - LINK
POWER: Conveniently located speed dial (0 - 6,800 OPM) enables operator to match speed to application
VERSATILITY: Dual Action: "Random Orbit with Forced Rotation" or "Random Orbit with Free Rotation"
ERGONOMICS: Ergonomically designed knob handle provides precision and control in a variety of applications
DURABILIT: Air vent intake covers help prevent fibers from entering the motor
INCLUDES: 5" hook-and-loop backing pad and hex wrench
About the PO5000C
Makita polishers are preferred by automotive detailers and marine enthusiasts, and the 5” Dual Action Random Orbit Polisher (PO5000C) is packed with enhanced features for consistent performance, job after job. The dual action control offers “random orbit with forced rotation” or “random orbit with free rotation”, and the variable speed control dial has five speed settings so users are able to set the speed and action to the application. Additional performance features include an electronic controller that automatically applies additional power to maintain constant speed, even under load, and also provides soft start for smoother start-ups and longer gear life. For added convenience the Polisher has an ergonomic knob handle and rubberized back handle with lock-on switch, and a rubberized tool rest for upside-down placement of the tool. It is ideal for commercial-duty polishing applications.
Features
• Powerful 7.8 AMP motor delivers more output and variable (180 - 790) RPM
• 7/32" (5.5mm) orbit diameter provides a swirl-free finish
• Conveniently located variable speed control dial (0 - 6,800 OPM) enables the operator to match the speed to the application
• Electronic controller provides constant speed control which automatically applies additional power to the motor to maintain speed under load
• Electronic Controller provides soft start which is designed to suppress start-up reaction for smooth start-ups and longer gear life
• Air vent intake covers help prevent fibers from entering the motor
• Ergonomically designed knob handle provides precision and control in a variety of applications
• Rubberized back handle with conveniently located lock-on switch for continuous use and increased operator comfort
• Cord guard for increased flexibility and longer life
• Rubber tool rest for upside down placement of tool
• Double insulated cord helps prevent static electricity accumulation
Specs
Pad Size (round): 5"
AMPS: 7.8
No Load Speed (variable speed): 180 - 790 RPM
Orbits Per Minute (variable speed): 0 - 6,800 OPM
Orbit Diameter: 7/32"
Vibration (m/s²): 4.5
Overall Length: 17-3/4"
Net Weigh : 6.2 lbs.
Specs from the Makita website
Continuous rating input 900W
Pad Size 125 mm (5")
Orbits Per Minute (OPM) 0 - 6,800
Strokes Per Minute (SPM) 0 - 13,600
No Load Speed (RPM) 0 - 780
Orbit Diameter 5.5 mm (7/32")
Vibration Level Polishing: 6.5 m/s²
Vibration K factor Polishing: 1.5 m/s²
Sound Pressure Level 81 dB(A)
Sound Power Level 92 dB(A)
Noise K factor 3 dB(A)
Dimensions (L x W x H) 451x123x134mm (17-3/4"x4-7/8"x5-1/4")
Net weight 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs)
Power supply cord 4.0 m (13.1 ft)
Now my turn... let's take a look at the mechanical aspect of the Makita PO5000C
Unique tool on the market
What makes this new tool unique is that it is a dual function orbital polisher. Like it's predecessor, the Makita BO6040, (a wood sander) the new PO5000C has a switch on the head of the tool that enables you to select one of two actions.
1: Gear-driven forced rotation and forced oscillation
2: Free spinning orbital action
This unique feature gives you the choice of maximum correction power for removing swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation when in the gear-driven mode or finesse polishing in the free spinning mode. This basically gives you two tools in one.
Here's the selector switch, with the arrow pointing forward you are in gear-driven mode.
Flip the switch 180 degrees so the arrow is pointing to the back of the machine and you're in free spinning mode.
Here's the stainless steel mesh grill to prevent dirt, dust and debris from getting inside the tool housing.
The variable speed dial has a range of 1 to 5 and is conveniently located on top of the tool just in front of the rear grip so you can adjust the speed on-the-fly with your thumb.[
There's a label with the OPMs as they relate to the speed settings on the variable speed dial.
The forward duckbill handle has a rubber overmold making it easy to grip and hold on to.
The power trigger is located just in front of the rear grip making it easy to start the tool and control the speed
There's a speed-lock button to lock the tool in at the desired speed setting.
I was curios to see what's behind the backing plate and I know you guys are too so I removed the backing plate to take a peak inside.
This appears to be a dust plate to prevent dirt and dust from getting to the drive gears.
With the dust plate removed you can see the gear-driven feature of this polisher.
Note the spindle is slotted...
The backing plate is also slotted so when re-attaching the backing plate be sure to align the backing plate so it fits flush against the spindle.
The shroud surrounding the housing is rubber and flexible...
I was hoping for the original prototype for my prototype collection and a low serial number marked tool but I'm good with #1088
Besides the polisher in the box you also get an owners manual with all the necessary information on how to correctly use the tool.
There's a section that recommends cleaning the front of the wire mesh grill, to do this use a vacuum, not an air squirter...
There is an optional side handle available for this polisher buy my experience is your better off to simply place your hand at the head of the tool to control it.
And there's an included allen wrench or hex head wrench to enable you to remove and replace the backing plate. This wrench along with some other plastic component was attached to the extension cord and I didn't like it on the cord so I removed both.
The electrical cord is a whopping 16 feet long and rubber not vinyl so it won't kink when you coil it up and rubber is much safer against paint than vinyl.
That's the tool.... now here's my review....
This tool is sturdy and well-built. It feels like you could use it as a sledge hammer to drive railroad spikes into concrete it's so solid feeling in your hands.
It's powerful for doing correction work. Even though it only has a 5.5 mm orbit stroke in the gear-driven mode it has all the power you need to remove serous or deep swirls and scratches. No matter how hard your press down or the shape of the panel you're buffing there's ZERO pad stalling.
The extreme forward and rear grips give you excellent leverage and control over the tool. The trigger, variable speed dial and speed-lock button are perfect in their location giving easy control over the speed at which you buff.
The free spinning mode is a tick on the weak side, but worked well for machine sanding.
The Makita PO5000C Orbital polisher will turn and churn any 5" buffing pad so you can power through any detail job faster in the gear driven mode!
With all the 5.5" pads options in both foam and microfiber on the market today, this is another nice option for a gear-driven orbital.
On Autogeek.com
Makita PO5000C Orbital Polisher - Available to purchase this Friday!
Call 1-800-869-3011 to order by phone!
Makita PO5000C Orbital Polisher
First thank you to all the fine staff at Makita for trusting Autogeek to test the prototype for this tool back in 2014 and again to launch the final production version here in 2017!
From the Makita Website - LINK
POWER: Conveniently located speed dial (0 - 6,800 OPM) enables operator to match speed to application
VERSATILITY: Dual Action: "Random Orbit with Forced Rotation" or "Random Orbit with Free Rotation"
ERGONOMICS: Ergonomically designed knob handle provides precision and control in a variety of applications
DURABILIT: Air vent intake covers help prevent fibers from entering the motor
INCLUDES: 5" hook-and-loop backing pad and hex wrench
About the PO5000C
Makita polishers are preferred by automotive detailers and marine enthusiasts, and the 5” Dual Action Random Orbit Polisher (PO5000C) is packed with enhanced features for consistent performance, job after job. The dual action control offers “random orbit with forced rotation” or “random orbit with free rotation”, and the variable speed control dial has five speed settings so users are able to set the speed and action to the application. Additional performance features include an electronic controller that automatically applies additional power to maintain constant speed, even under load, and also provides soft start for smoother start-ups and longer gear life. For added convenience the Polisher has an ergonomic knob handle and rubberized back handle with lock-on switch, and a rubberized tool rest for upside-down placement of the tool. It is ideal for commercial-duty polishing applications.
Features
• Powerful 7.8 AMP motor delivers more output and variable (180 - 790) RPM
• 7/32" (5.5mm) orbit diameter provides a swirl-free finish
• Conveniently located variable speed control dial (0 - 6,800 OPM) enables the operator to match the speed to the application
• Electronic controller provides constant speed control which automatically applies additional power to the motor to maintain speed under load
• Electronic Controller provides soft start which is designed to suppress start-up reaction for smooth start-ups and longer gear life
• Air vent intake covers help prevent fibers from entering the motor
• Ergonomically designed knob handle provides precision and control in a variety of applications
• Rubberized back handle with conveniently located lock-on switch for continuous use and increased operator comfort
• Cord guard for increased flexibility and longer life
• Rubber tool rest for upside down placement of tool
• Double insulated cord helps prevent static electricity accumulation
Specs
Pad Size (round): 5"
AMPS: 7.8
No Load Speed (variable speed): 180 - 790 RPM
Orbits Per Minute (variable speed): 0 - 6,800 OPM
Orbit Diameter: 7/32"
Vibration (m/s²): 4.5
Overall Length: 17-3/4"
Net Weigh : 6.2 lbs.
Specs from the Makita website
Continuous rating input 900W
Pad Size 125 mm (5")
Orbits Per Minute (OPM) 0 - 6,800
Strokes Per Minute (SPM) 0 - 13,600
No Load Speed (RPM) 0 - 780
Orbit Diameter 5.5 mm (7/32")
Vibration Level Polishing: 6.5 m/s²
Vibration K factor Polishing: 1.5 m/s²
Sound Pressure Level 81 dB(A)
Sound Power Level 92 dB(A)
Noise K factor 3 dB(A)
Dimensions (L x W x H) 451x123x134mm (17-3/4"x4-7/8"x5-1/4")
Net weight 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs)
Power supply cord 4.0 m (13.1 ft)
Now my turn... let's take a look at the mechanical aspect of the Makita PO5000C
Unique tool on the market
What makes this new tool unique is that it is a dual function orbital polisher. Like it's predecessor, the Makita BO6040, (a wood sander) the new PO5000C has a switch on the head of the tool that enables you to select one of two actions.
1: Gear-driven forced rotation and forced oscillation
2: Free spinning orbital action
This unique feature gives you the choice of maximum correction power for removing swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation when in the gear-driven mode or finesse polishing in the free spinning mode. This basically gives you two tools in one.
Here's the selector switch, with the arrow pointing forward you are in gear-driven mode.
Flip the switch 180 degrees so the arrow is pointing to the back of the machine and you're in free spinning mode.
Here's the stainless steel mesh grill to prevent dirt, dust and debris from getting inside the tool housing.
The variable speed dial has a range of 1 to 5 and is conveniently located on top of the tool just in front of the rear grip so you can adjust the speed on-the-fly with your thumb.[
There's a label with the OPMs as they relate to the speed settings on the variable speed dial.
The forward duckbill handle has a rubber overmold making it easy to grip and hold on to.
The power trigger is located just in front of the rear grip making it easy to start the tool and control the speed
There's a speed-lock button to lock the tool in at the desired speed setting.
I was curios to see what's behind the backing plate and I know you guys are too so I removed the backing plate to take a peak inside.
This appears to be a dust plate to prevent dirt and dust from getting to the drive gears.
With the dust plate removed you can see the gear-driven feature of this polisher.
Note the spindle is slotted...
The backing plate is also slotted so when re-attaching the backing plate be sure to align the backing plate so it fits flush against the spindle.
The shroud surrounding the housing is rubber and flexible...
I was hoping for the original prototype for my prototype collection and a low serial number marked tool but I'm good with #1088
Besides the polisher in the box you also get an owners manual with all the necessary information on how to correctly use the tool.
There's a section that recommends cleaning the front of the wire mesh grill, to do this use a vacuum, not an air squirter...
There is an optional side handle available for this polisher buy my experience is your better off to simply place your hand at the head of the tool to control it.
And there's an included allen wrench or hex head wrench to enable you to remove and replace the backing plate. This wrench along with some other plastic component was attached to the extension cord and I didn't like it on the cord so I removed both.
The electrical cord is a whopping 16 feet long and rubber not vinyl so it won't kink when you coil it up and rubber is much safer against paint than vinyl.
That's the tool.... now here's my review....
This tool is sturdy and well-built. It feels like you could use it as a sledge hammer to drive railroad spikes into concrete it's so solid feeling in your hands.
It's powerful for doing correction work. Even though it only has a 5.5 mm orbit stroke in the gear-driven mode it has all the power you need to remove serous or deep swirls and scratches. No matter how hard your press down or the shape of the panel you're buffing there's ZERO pad stalling.
The extreme forward and rear grips give you excellent leverage and control over the tool. The trigger, variable speed dial and speed-lock button are perfect in their location giving easy control over the speed at which you buff.
The free spinning mode is a tick on the weak side, but worked well for machine sanding.
The Makita PO5000C Orbital polisher will turn and churn any 5" buffing pad so you can power through any detail job faster in the gear driven mode!
With all the 5.5" pads options in both foam and microfiber on the market today, this is another nice option for a gear-driven orbital.
On Autogeek.com
Makita PO5000C Orbital Polisher - Available to purchase this Friday!
Call 1-800-869-3011 to order by phone!
