Review: Makita PO5000C Orbital Polisher - Gear-driven and Free Spinning - Mike Phillips

The Makita weighs more than the 3401 which already gives people a workout. I'm anxiously waiting for comparison tests to see if the Makita outperforms the tried and true 3401.


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lane5515 said:
The Makita weighs more than the 3401 which already gives people a workout. I'm anxiously waiting for comparison tests to see if the Makita outperforms the tried and true 3401.


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Yeah, that will be really interesting during the comparison when trying to flip the switch on the 3401 to make it a free spinning da :buffing:
 
What???

I mean when the Makita is in forced/gear driven mode.


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lane5515 said:
What???

I mean when the Makita is in forced/gear driven mode.


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Yeah, I get that, but the advantage that the Makita brings to the table is that it's two tools in one. So instead of shelling out $700+ for a gear driven da and free spinning da you get both for $369.00. I'd have to say imho that's a major plus in the Makita's favor and a revolution in the da world. I'd give up a little on the forced rotation comparison side to a 3401 to have two tools in one. Talk about "Flexability" :cool: :dblthumb2:
 
so only one backing plate (equipped on the polisher) size is all that is available for it?
 
custmsprty said:
Yeah, I get that, but the advantage that the Makita brings to the table is that it's two tools in one. So instead of shelling out $700+ for a gear driven da and free spinning da you get both for $369.00. I'd have to say imho that's a major plus in the Makita's favor and a revolution in the da world. I'd give up a little on the forced rotation comparison side to a 3401 to have two tools in one. Talk about "Flexability" :cool: :dblthumb2:
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Not me - I want the best performing and most efficient working machine. If that means I have two tools so be it. I use my Flex 90% of the time. I'm not going to compromise so I can have two in one just cuz it's available now. If it outperforms the Flex in forced/gear driven mode it will appeal to me.


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The shorter stroke should be smoother with less steering


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lane5515 said:
Not me - I want the best performing and most efficient working machine. If that means I have two tools so be it. I use my Flex 90% of the time. I'm not going to compromise so I can have two in one just cuz it's available now. If it outperforms the Flex in forced/gear driven mode it will appeal to me.


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:dblthumb2:

And for me, I have five free spinning da's and will never buy a Flex 3401 as I have no need or desire to own one. I prefer free spinning da's. I won't be buying one of these anytime soon either because I have no real need for one.

But it is a revoultionary concept for sure.
 
I agree with you there. Everyone has there own preferences between forced and free spinning. This could be a great budget buy for those wanting both.


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VISITOR said:
i never knew exactly why (and the adv/dis-advantages) flex decided to make the 3401 counter clockwise instead of the other way (maybe the gears could only work in that way). just do this and you'll have the basically the same thing... j/k ;)

one thing though, makita tools are known to be of excellent quality (QC) and i'm sure this tool will just that.
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There is another way to do this. Get a backing plate for a Shurhold 3500, The Shurhold 3500 backing plate has a hole in the middle, just like the Flex 3401 backing plates do. Remove the Flex backing plate. Put the SHurhold backing plate on the flex using the same bolt and washer. Instant free spinning polisher. No need to remove the ring gear. Remove the Shurhold plate, put back the 3401 plate, back to forced rotation.

No idea if this will work with other backing plates. The important thing is that the plate has a center hole.

It would be really cool if Lake Country, Buff and SHinem or any of the other manufacturers of pads/backing plates would com up with a custom designed plate to do this. The ideal would be a plate that would fit around the slotted spindle of the 3401; the Shurhold plate just sits on top .
 
Sorry, should have put this in the original email that I wrote regarding the Shurhold backing plate on the 4501.

While the new Makita is a very welcome tool, and is showing that the "Big" power tool vendors are getting interested in the car polisher business, it must be kept in mind that the new Makita is neither unique nor revolutionary. The previous Makita polisher, the BO6040 could do the "dual mode" (fixed and free rotating spindle) thing, as can the Bosch 1250 DEVS. It is evidently not a hard thing to do, as they all take a switch flip or move to go from free spindle rotation to a fixed spindle rotation. I think the Bosch 1250 DEVS has a 6mm throw, I don't know what the throw on the Makita BO6040 is.
 
^ i thought about that too. so essentially it's like this but with a few tweaks (exterior, etc,)?

Makita BO6050J Polisher

If you only buy one polisher, make it the Makita BO6050J Dual-Action Polisher. This one machine will take care of all your detailing jobs, large or small, with just the turn of a knob.

  • 2-mode switch for "random orbit" action (finish sanding) and "random orbit with forced rotation" action (aggressive sanding and polishing)
  • Superior engineering and design reduces vibration by 20% and noise levels almost 2 to 1 over the competition
  • Variable speed control dial (1,600 - 6,800 OPM; 180 - 670 RPM) for various applications
  • Compact tool height (5-3/16") increases efficiency and maneuverability
  • Small diameter barrel grip for optimum comfort and control
  • Uses convenient hook & loop abrasive sanding discs and accessories (hook & loop backing plate included)
  • Efficient through-the-pad dust collection system with built in dust port for a cleaner work environment
  • Includes: 1 ea. Abrasive Disc (#120; 794610-1), Hex Wrench (783203-8), Rubber Pad (193286-4), Wrench Holder (410047-0) and Plastic Tool Case (824591-5)
 
It is hard to say. They are now using a 5" backing plate, so the use of 5..5" pads is possible. The exterior design, internal electronics and mechanics could be the same, modified slightly, or entirely different No way to really know without seeing them side by side, opened up and internals visible.

Makita's willingness to have the Autogeek guys and students work with the prototypes is definitely going to help make this Makita a lot more car detailing friendly, and should not be discounted.
 
VISITOR said:
^ i thought about that too. so essentially it's like this but with a few tweaks (exterior, etc,)?

Makita BO6050J Polisher

If you only buy one polisher, make it the Makita BO6050J Dual-Action Polisher. This one machine will take care of all your detailing jobs, large or small, with just the turn of a knob.

  • 2-mode switch for "random orbit" action (finish sanding) and "random orbit with forced rotation" action (aggressive sanding and polishing)
  • Superior engineering and design reduces vibration by 20% and noise levels almost 2 to 1 over the competition
  • Variable speed control dial (1,600 - 6,800 OPM; 180 - 670 RPM) for various applications
  • Compact tool height (5-3/16") increases efficiency and maneuverability
  • Small diameter barrel grip for optimum comfort and control
  • Uses convenient hook & loop abrasive sanding discs and accessories (hook & loop backing plate included)
  • Efficient through-the-pad dust collection system with built in dust port for a cleaner work environment
  • Includes: 1 ea. Abrasive Disc (#120; 794610-1), Hex Wrench (783203-8), Rubber Pad (193286-4), Wrench Holder (410047-0) and Plastic Tool Case (824591-5)
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Higher RPM with the newer Makita and designed specifically for polishing, not sanding.
 
nothingface5384 said:
Im sure it will on some instances, but the tool being longer and orbit being smaller it will be less prominent and more manageable
it will be alot smoother then the flex thats forsure

from seeing videos of the po5000c and the Mille in action..it looked like mille was the smoothest...then rechecked video closer and they were only running in either speed 3.5 or 4...where as makita was most likely at full speed


side by side comparisons will eventually come though..just need to wait
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Thanks for the reply!
 
Mike, did you notice you used one mode more then the other??

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