Rotary Buffer

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HoldenFlinner48

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Hey guys I have a quick question. I am starting to get into some serious car detailing and car polishing that I'm starting to buy a lot of things. Right now I have the Griots Garage 6 in DA with a 5 inch backplate and 5.5 inch pads. Now my question is, should I buy a rotary or should I just upgrade to a Rupes, GG boss 21 or a flex. I use a rotary at work since its that we have so I know what they are capable of doing and I have a good understanding of them. So should I buy a rotary or just upgrade to a different DA? THANKS!
 
I just got my new flex from autogeek today(haven't even tried it out yet). But I will always have a rotary in the arsenal. Been using them for 15 years, and have no plans to ever not have one.
If you know how to use a rotary, they are a valuable tool.
 
Since you are familiar with a rotary and what it can do I would consider it a must if you are planning to go PRO.
 
IMO the more tools and knowledge to use different tools, the more efficient you'll be.


with that said, i'd get a rotary.

i use a rotary at work, and have a rotary of my own. i just purchased a GG 6" along with a 3" backing plate.
 
Alright thanks for the input guys. I do know that a rotary is more effective on certain things such as headlights compared to a DA so i will definitely be buying a rotary.
 
I'd go with the DeWalt rotary.

I have a Rupes BF21, but the rotary can do everything IT can.

The DeWalt rotary polisher (DWTDWP849X) is my go-to. The Rupes is a Cadillac for the DA world, but the rotary offeres everything and then some.

I was able to find the DeWalt for 179.** w/ bale and straight handle and hook/loop backing pad. Free shipping.

Can't go wrong for the price.
 
TFTADetail said:
I'd go with the DeWalt rotary.

I have a Rupes BF21, but the rotary can do everything IT can.

The DeWalt rotary polisher (DWTDWP849X) is my go-to. The Rupes is a Cadillac for the DA world, but the rotary offeres everything and then some.

I was able to find the DeWalt for 179.** w/ bale and straight handle and hook/loop backing pad. Free shipping.

Can't go wrong for the price.
Click to expand...

This was actually my plan! I use the older 849 at work and Amazon has the 849x for 199 with everything included with two free day shipping through prime.
 
HoldenFlinner48 said:
This was actually my plan! I use the older 849 at work and Amazon has the 849x for 199 with everything included with two free day shipping through prime.
Click to expand...

Save yourself another $20 and go through Tooltopia. $179, free shipping.
 
TFTADetail said:
I guess it'll be whatever you're most comfortable with and how many opinions you'll have to sift through.
I personally never cared for the Flex.
Click to expand...


Seat for every person.


What I shared in the link to the article I wrote was that every time I hold any type of class is my observation is that the people working on the project with me always grab the Flex PE14 rotary polishers first.

It's only after they've all been plugged in and are being used do people grab the DeWALT or Makita rotary buffers.


They're all available to choose from.... but the Flex PE14's go first.


watermark.php




Me? I always grab the Flex PE14 first. It's lightweight, compact in size and most of all.... it's quiet compared to the rest.


:xyxthumbs:
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Seat for every person.


What I shared in the link to the article I wrote was that every time I hold any type of class is my observation is that the people working on the project with me always grab the Flex PE14 rotary polishers first.

It's only after they've all been plugged in and are being used do people grab the DeWALT or Makita rotary buffers.


They're all available to choose from.... but the Flex PE14's go first.


watermark.php




Me? I always grab the Flex PE14 first. It's lightweight, compact in size and most of all.... it's quiet compared to the rest.


:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Also since there is three flex rotaries, I now the PE8 is for small pads, but are there really any differences between the 3403 and the PE14 besides RPM settings?
 
TFTADetail said:
I guess it'll be whatever you're most comfortable with and how many opinions you'll have to sift through.
I personally never cared for the Flex.
Click to expand...

Have you tried the new PE14? Smoothest, lightest, quietest rotary on the planet.
 
HoldenFlinner48 said:
Also since there is three flex rotaries, I now the PE8 is for small pads, but are there really any differences between the 3403 and the PE14 besides RPM settings?
Click to expand...

Yes, if you use larger pads, it will get hot and it has this annoying high pitch noise.
 
HoldenFlinner48 said:
Also since there is three flex rotaries, I now the PE8 is for small pads, but are there really any differences between the 3403 and the PE14 besides RPM settings?
Click to expand...


Yes there are a few design features built into the Flex PE14 for operating at lower RPM's.


For general use, the Flex PE14 is the one you want. You will love this rotary polisher.


:xyxthumbs:
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
For general use, the Flex PE14 is the one you want. You will love this rotary polisher.

:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Sweet. Thanks for the input. It's the one I was leaning toward (but for early next year).

I had a chance to try one at a local free detailing seminar. I was really surprised by the weight / balance of this machine.
 
Rsurfer said:
Have you tried the new PE14? Smoothest, lightest, quietest rotary on the planet.
Click to expand...

I have.
I prefer the DeWalt to it.
I guess those of us who began in the industry who started out using the rotary buffers have a better feel for them. The Makita is also a great polisher.

Mike,

I know this comment may not hold true to all who attend your classes, however it would seem to me that if most of the students are just starting out and learning how to use the polishers; most are going to go to a polisher that they have either heard more about or feel more comfortable with. Let's face it, the rotary polishers scare most novice detailers.

I've read many a post/thread on this forum where the rotary polisher gets a bad rap mainly because it can inflict damage to the paint if a person isn't accustomed to its capabilities.

A rotary can do EVERYTHING if you're comfortable enough to use it. Old school is old school. I have a number of polishers including DAs ........ the Makita and DeWalt are rarely left in the shop.

Maybe I'll try a Flex again sometime, but in the meantime my DW and Makita haven't let me down.

Just my .01 (after taxes)
 
TFTADetail said:
I have.
I prefer the DeWalt to it.
I guess those of us who began in the industry who started out using the rotary buffers have a better feel for them. The Makita is also a great polisher.

Mike,

I know this comment may not hold true to all who attend your classes, however it would seem to me that if most of the students are just starting out and learning how to use the polishers; most are going to go to a polisher that they have either heard more about or feel more comfortable with. Let's face it, the rotary polishers scare most novice detailers.
Click to expand...

Actually I prefer to start them out with the easiest rotary buffer to learn with and that is the lightweight, compact size Flex PE14.

In my classes they always get chosen first and the DeWALT, Makita and 3M rotary buffers by default are chosen last.




TFTADetail said:
I've read many a post/thread on this forum where the rotary polisher gets a bad rap mainly because it can inflict damage to the paint if a person isn't accustomed to its capabilities.

A rotary can do EVERYTHING if you're comfortable enough to use it. Old school is old school. I have a number of polishers including DAs ........ the Makita and DeWalt are rarely left in the shop.
Click to expand...


My first rotary buffer was a Makita and it served me well for many years...

Side of buffer worn smooth after years of buffing... the ribs on the plastic handle are also worn away.

2tn600_mediumshotafter15yearsofbuffing.jpg



Here's what the head looked of the buffer looked like before. It has a rough texture because the aluminum was cast in a sand mold

2tn600_texturedside1-med.jpg



I keep this old Makita rotary buffer in our training garage and in every class I teach I pass it around to let the students check it out.

I tell them if they're going to learn how to use the rotary buffer it's a good idea to learn from someone that actually knows how to use it.

When buffing out car paint there is no single perfect tool. There is the right tool for the job. For example, after wetsanding a car, in my opinion the right tool for the job of removing the sanding marks the fastest and most effective way is the rotary buffer.



TFTADetail said:
Maybe I'll try a Flex again sometime, but in the meantime my DW and Makita haven't let me down.

Just my .01 (after taxes)
Click to expand...

The only thing that is important is that you're happy with the tools of your choice.

The new DeWALT and the new Makita are both GREAT rotary buffers compared to my original Makita rotary buffer and it just goes to show that improvements in tool technology have come a long way and this is good news for all of us.


:xyxthumbs:
 
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