this polisher is a gem...

embolism

embolism

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So my poliseal hybrid durability test is a bust. Went by my aunt's place to drop off some stuff and there was a mobile detail guy there working on my uncle's suv. He used some runny looking compound in a nondescript bottle but the thing did look much better I must admit.

Had a couple beers with the guy and just talked for a bit about the cars he does. Pretty cool guy. Took some pics of the polisher he was using. This thing is called a gem and he said he paid $400 for it about 5 years ago.

Guys, this thing is a beast. It must weigh 20 pounds and the head has got to be at least 10 inches in diameter. It uses bonnets too (not foam). He charged my aunt $150 for the detail and must have spent about 5 hours total on the car.

I'm just glad all polishers are not like this or we'd all have forearms like Mark. haha

polisher1.jpg


polisher2.jpg
 
looks like that thing has two speeds...on and off.
 
Looks like that motor would be from a ceiling fan? lol Geeze
 
i dont understand why some detailers use the gem,s heck a portercable has more amperage then that heavy machine...id rather a flex vs that darn thing especially weight wise and 10" size. however for sanding alot love the gem especially wood workers due to large size, however when sanding you dont use really any pressure when polishing you need some pressure to engage abrasives. 400$ for something only having 2.3 amps is a bit insane. just my opinion. i would have shown the guy a flex lol.
 
That thing looks like the missing piece the North Koreans need for their nuclear program! That it is one big s.o.b.
 
Looks like a motor from my sump pump! 20 pounds? That guys has to be trying out for the next Avengers movie as Polisher Man! Arms of Steel! Shiny Polished Steel! Its a beast!
 
alko said:
looks like that thing has two speeds...on and off.
Click to expand...


haha, right in one Alex

There was a toggle switch at the top iirc

It is actually a dual action polisher if you can believe it. I remember being surprised when I spun the pad sponge around and saw the offset in the rotation.
 
GEM polishers have been around a long time, back to the 1950's I think, possibly older. They may have their roots in floor polisher technology, like the kind used for hard surface floors.

They were actually "effective" back in the days of single stage paints because with these paints all you need to do to restore shine is grind off the dead paint. You could use a slow polisher and an aggressive compound and get the job done.

They are what we call "Wax Spreaders" today, or the TOB, which stands for Traditional Orbital Buffer.

See this article,


The Traditional Orbital Buffer aka The Wax Spreader


WaxSpreader02.jpg






:)
 
By the looks of it you need to apply very little downward presser due to gravity....:laughing:

I pick things up and put them down......:laughing:
 
i still have my gem sitting on a in the toolbox, dont use it anymore, so darn heavy 18 pounds. but back then you didnt have much choice for polishers. they did make foam bonnets for them
 
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