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

[richy]

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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I agree with you. What pisses me off is that Flex should have had the new version of the 3401 out by now instead of delaying it until 2018. What I also find funny is all the people who so lovingly bashed the 3401 will race to embrace the principle now that Rupes is selling one! I am interested to see what kind of heat is generated by the Makita when working it hard. That's still my one and only beef with the 3401 is how hot I can make it. I'd love to get my hands on the Makita and try it out! I think I would put off any purchase until I see what Flex does with their new 3401 version however.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

What I also find funny is all the people who so lovingly bashed the 3401 will race to embrace the principle now that Rupes is selling one!

Oh so true.

While I love my 3401, I don't prefer the counterclockwise rotation and wish it spun faster. The Makita fixes these issues, however, with a smaller stroke. According to some, will the higher RPM and OPM of the Makita/Mille, this is more important for correction than stroke length with gear driven polishers. I'm gonna pick up the Makita.

 

[richy]

Oh so true.

While I love my 3401, I don't prefer the counterclockwise rotation and wish it spun faster. The Makita fixes these issues, however, with a smaller stroke. According to some, will the higher RPM and OPM of the Makita/Mille, this is more important for correction than stroke length with gear driven polishers. I'm gonna pick up the Makita.

I'd really like to get my hands on one and try it for myself. I must admit that I am tempted by the Makita. I am still going to wait for the new 3401 and then compare the two.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I'd really like to get my hands on one and try it for myself. I must admit that I am tempted by the Makita. I am still going to wait for the new 3401 and then compare the two.

I should have the Makita by the end of next week. I'll let you know my thoughts. I have a feeling the free spinning mode may bog down too easy, but I'm not buying it for that anyway.

 

[richy]

Thanks! I wished I lived close to you.

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[mohebmhanna]

Hi Mike
When you used Mikita PO5000C in the forced rotation mode for polishing what speed seething was that 3 or 4. Thanks


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[mohebmhanna]

Also I forgot to ask what type of polishing pad and product did you use for the Duster project.

I guess if you could put together full thread about this tool and pad you utilized that would be appreciated. Thanks


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[RSW]

Mike,

"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."


What is that plastic thing for? The only things I can think of is to maybe keep down abrasion on the cord or maybe they've got an apron with a place for that on one of the straps so you could hook it over your shoulder and the cord would run through it to keep the cord out of the way by taking up the slack between it and the car as you move around.

RSW

 

[VISITOR]

What I also find funny is all the people who so lovingly bashed the 3401 will race to embrace the principle now that Rupes is selling one!

Oh so true.

X3

I'm anxiously waiting for comparison tests to see if the Makita outperforms the tried and true 3401.

with an apples to apples/oranges to oranges comparison with the same pads/liquids/passes/pressure, etc,. we can talk about stats on paper all day but this what it comes down to...

 

[remofire]

Any updates? Did any of you pull the plug on the Makita? I'm very very close to getting one.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

Any updates? Did any of you pull the plug on the Makita? I'm very very close to getting one.

Someone on here did, don't remember the name of the member but they have nothing but great things to say. Maybe it's this pages fb group...

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[RSW]

Yes, I've been running it since it came out.

I took it apart and changed out the grease to something recommended by my resident expert on the subject - and no - I won't share how to void your warranty.

Also, I took off the Makita backing plate because the velco won't hold the pad like it should and replaced it with the same size Rupes backing plate. I took some material off the back of the Rupes backing plate to lighten it up and used the bolt that came with the Makita to hold it on. You have to be careful about the bolt used for attaching the backing plate because if it goes in too deep it will bind up the machine. Always turn the machine by hand after changing the backing plate to make sure that hasn't happened.

Finally, I took off the front handle and filled the cavity with about a pound of lead shot and epoxy for plastic to counter the inherent vibration.

I have two, both modified the same and they've been rock solid.

RSW

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

I've also been running it and love it
It's a more refined 3401

No reason for anyone to buy a 3401 anymore that doesn't have one

The foam pads to buy atm would be lake country Thinpros
The other pads to possible get would be Rupes Mille pads when they come out.

I think itll end up being the best Forced DA

Only thing the Mille has on it which imo doesn't matter is clockwise rotation
They both have progressive triggers

I've also ran it with a Griot HD 3in plate, getting a Kamikaze 3in duetto plate for it soon unless my buddy gets me the factory 3in by then.

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Yes, I've been running it since it came out.

I took it apart and changed out the grease to something recommended by my resident expert on the subject - and no - I won't share how to void your warranty.

Also, I took off the Makita backing plate because the velco won't hold the pad like it should and replaced it with the same size Rupes backing plate. I took some material off the back of the Rupes backing plate to lighten it up and used the bolt that came with the Makita to hold it on. You have to be careful about the bolt used for attaching the backing plate because if it goes in too deep it will bind up the machine. Always turn the machine by hand after changing the backing plate to make sure that hasn't happened.

Finally, I took off the front handle and filled the cavity with about a pound of lead shot and epoxy for plastic to counter the inherent vibration.

I have two, both modified the same and they've been rock solid.

RSW

I still never got around to that mod yet

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Also I forgot to ask what type of polishing pad and product did you use for the Duster project.

I guess if you could put together full thread about this tool and pad you utilized that would be appreciated. Thanks

I tested a lot of pads, probably have the pictures somewhere. Takes a lot of time to make pictures magically show up on a forum - always short on time.

In this picture you can see I'm using the 5.5" LC HDO blue foam cutting pads, for polishing I used the orange LC HDO pads. These pads work well with this polisher.

Hi Mike
When you used Mikita PO5000C in the forced rotation mode for polishing what speed seething was that 3 or 4. Thanks

My guess is I used it on speed 5. I find I need this tool and the Mille on high speed to work fast.

 

[RSW]

I still never got around to that mod yet

I've moved on from that mod. Now, I put the cap from a BO6040 on the 5000 and it's much more comfortable and easier to control. It took some grinding and cutting but it really helps.

RSW

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

I've moved on from that mod. Now, I put the cap from a BO6040 on the 5000 and it's much more comfortable and easier to control. It took some grinding and cutting but it really helps.

RSW

That's what's up
What do you mean by cap though?

 

[RippyD]

Head cover, as shown in these diagrams, or something else? BO6040 and PO5000C

 

[Submariner]

A additional smaller backing plate????

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What make and size (3””) is that smaller backing plate and where did you get it from?

Did you use the std. Makita M8 x 14mm bolt to lock it up?

 

[Submariner]

A additional smaller backing plate????

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Where did you get that little backing plate from, is it a Makita brand? Or whose? And for what model name

Any details much appreciated
That would be perfect for mine