Rotary Polisher Recommendations

Skip

Skip

Well-Known Member
Oct 5, 2006
1,085
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay
Boat Info
07 58 DB
Truly Blessed IV

2010 Nautica 12' RIB, 40HP Yamaha
Engines
MAN CRM 900s
I've cooked through two chicago tools rotary polishers on Truly Blessed II. I can take the current one back and Harbor Freight Tools will give me a new one, but I think it is time to get a good quality rotary polisher to do the hard work before the Porter Cable 7424 finishes up on the acres of gelcoat that comprise the 420DA.

Any recommendations? I intend to remain a DIY boat detailer, so quality and longevity of the tool are more important than price.

Thks
Skip
 
makita polisher/sander with adjustable speed are very good
ale you need is change brushes and blow out dust once awhile
 
I've a Metabo purchased online for about $300. It has an internal overload mechanism in it that shuts the machine down should you overload the motor. I don't like this feature as the machine seems to shut down under even the slighest of loads. They supposedly have a newer more powerful model out now, but based on the performance of the one I have, I probably would not buy again. Scott
 
The DeWalt machine with variable speed is an excellent tool. I'm not sure about the model #.
 
The two options for a quality tool appear to be the Makita and the Dewalt rotary polishers. The Makita looks exactly like the Chicago Tools units I have had trouble with, save for the color of the housing and handle. Chicago tools=orange and black, Makita=Blue and black. I am inclined towards the DeWalt, as I have beat the heck out of a DeWalt cordless drill for nearly 12 years with no problems at all.

Other thoughts or opinions?

thanks
Skip
 
Hey Skip,

I have the Porter Cable orbital one for waxing but I also use this most of the time:

http://coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/Soft...x3.htm?L+coastest+jztr4345ffb854b8+1185817170

It's Makita. I'm not a big fan of DeWalt as I know that brand was bought out some time ago and the quality of their tools are not what they were 15 years ago. I usually stick with Porter Cable, Milwaukee, or Makita tools. My Makita drills and saws have held up nicely whereas my DeWalt stuff seems to wear out all the time.

My 2 cents.
 
Gary you'll be glad to know that Porter Cable was bought by Black and Decker who owns Dewalt as well. :smt009 I sell Dewalt and the higher end model numbers hold their own in the professional work force.

I personally have a Hitachi Polisher that I have had very good luck with. Pistol grip and tee bar make holding it up side down and at angles pretty easy to use. Just have to be careful not to over heat the wax.
 
If you don't want to burn through them, gotta get a pro machine.

I have three: A Fein rotary to cut, compound and buff, a Porter Cable orbital to apply polish and a small battery powered WEN cordless (great for the small stuff and in the cockpit!!).

Being German, I am biased in regards to brands ... :grin:

The Fein is a WPO 12-27E. http://www.feinus.com/p/newpolisher/new-polisher.htm

I found one brand new on Criagslist for $225, which is THE deal.

It is the most powerful circular polisher, while the lightest weight too (only 5.1 lbs. while all others are 6 lbs. and up), 3 year warranty and that is important when doing boats.
I would not have bought it new because of the price, but it is a super sweet machine with its constant rpm feature.

If I wouldn't have found the Fein, I would have gone for the new Metabo. SAme weight and a very, very good pro machine. Has a great ergonomic handle too.
http://www.metabousa.com/metabo/han...olishers/anglepolisherpe12175_6_02175_42.html

These guys have the Metabo and also a Makita which is on sale right now!!

http://www.topoftheline.com/polishing-equipment.html

But, you'll never beat the Fein !! :grin:

These guys have usually good prices on pro tools, but don't have the metabo.
http://www.tylertool.com/index.html
 
Coastal Tool had the best deal on the makita, and included a carrying bagm cutting, and polishing pads so i will give the makita a shot. Coastal Tool also has a sale on the Porter Cable 7424-
$99

-that is a good price for that piece of gear.

thanks all for your insights and comments

Skip
 
Skip said:
Coastal Tool had the best deal on the makita, and included a carrying bagm cutting, and polishing pads so i will give the makita a shot. Coastal Tool also has a sale on the Porter Cable 7424-
$99

-that is a good price for that piece of gear.

thanks all for your insights and comments

Skip
Click to expand...

Let us know how you like the Makita. :thumbsup: Good machine, but still a pound heavier than the Metabo and the Fein. Weight ( the lack thereof) really matters to me when doing hull sides ...
 
Alex, you are right on the weight for the hullsides. At the rate my 6 year old son is growing he will be driving the makita before long. I will report back on how the machine performs. Will probably do one good clean/polish/wax before we do the shrink wrap in November.
Skip
 
Gary,
Keep it up and I will post the picture of you demonstrating proper form in head pump out operations dockside.
Kidding, of course.
I'd love to go fish in November and run the boat year 'round; however, were I to do that, I'd have to rename the boat 'batchelor pad" becuase my bride would surely kick me out and I would become a liveaboard.

So it goes.

regards
Skip
 
Arise from the dead, thread!

The UPS dude delivered my Makita 9227CX3 (from Coastal tools) yesterday. Any tips? I'm planning to use it with Buff Magic and a wool pad. How fast should I run this thing?

-CJ
 
oohhh boy... this is one of those things you should try on your neighbor's boat first. Set it to 3000 RPM's, put some compound on it, and watch it melt the plastic.

Seriously, I set mine to pretty slow setting of around 1200 RPMs with more aggressive cleaners (like 3M's Finesse). Make sure you keep that pad moving, do small areas at a time and be very careful around edges.

There are whole subjects written on this topic on various boating and manufacturer's sites but everyone has one thing in common with regards to wool... High RPM's kill. Nothing like a real rotary to get it done fast though.
 
Last edited:
1500 rpms with a wool pad will not burn gel coat but you need to keep it moving as it can get warm. BTW. Quality does count. I'm still running the Black and Decker variable speed polisher I bought 25 years ago for the large sum (then) of $169. Seemed really high then but it is still running strong.
 
I agree on the quality thing... too bad the Black and Decker today is not the Black and Decker of 25 years ago.

I've also found that using a rotary with a wool pad is a great way to clean the bathrooms (showers especially).

I had mine home this last week and cleaned the dinghy up a little and left the bag open in the garage and one of my dogs got the wool pads out and chewed them up and then tried to bury the pieces... damn dogs.
 
A lot of the old brand names have changed ownership. Most polishers are probably made in China today to who knows what specification. Many are built down to a price instead of up to a standard.
 
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