I’m new to this OCD disease we all have and I started out reading forums, opinions, and reviews. After 2 to 3 weeks of reading about detailing equipment, supplies and methods, I was ready to start spending money and delve into this new addiction of mine. I ordered a G100 (PC 7424/7336) kit with pads and other goodies from a reputable dealer online, forgetting that I had bid on a used Bosch 1370DEVS on eBay. I bid $71.00 ($15.00 shipping) and promptly forgot about it. Imagine my surprise when, a day or 2 after ordering the PC kit I received an email telling me I had won the Bosch auction for $71.00. Oh well. Suddenly I’m the proud owner of 2 different DA machines and I’ve yet to clean a car.
This past weekend was my first detail ever. My wife's '96 white Saturn SC1, which I'll practice on
until I have the nerve to tackle my '07 Techno-Gray Saturn Aura.
Armed with weeks of reading forums and a friend to show me how to use the DA, I used both machines, the 7424 and the Bosch 1370DEVS. I thought I would post a review of the 1370 since I’ve never seen one posted before.
Here's what I won: (for $71.00)
:
The 1370DEVS weighs a scant 5 pounds, boasts a 13 ‘ cord, and came with a Bosch-logo’d metal toolbox, foam inside, an auxiliary handle, 2 handle plugs in case you choose not to use the handle on either side, a 6” hook and loop back plate, and an allen wrench to change the back plate and reverse the drive disc. This tool has electronic feedback circuitry which not only maintains the preset speed under different load conditions, but provides that highly desired ‘soft’ start of expensive rotaries. Did I mention $71.00?
Power? 5 paint correcting, swirl-busting amps. The pad rotates while it’s doing the random orbit thing. The faster the speed set, the faster the pad random oscillates AND rotates. I used the Bosch with M80 Speed Glaze to correct many, many swirls in the car, and it corrected them like I imagined a regular rotary would, but with the safety factor of the random orbit.
BTW, the random orbit throw is 4.5mm, which is .18 of an inch.
I mentioned the drive disc earlier. The gear teeth are on the bottom and the rubber ring is on the top in this picture:
The drive disc can be installed in 2 different positions. In position 1, the ‘Direct drive’ mode, the gear teeth on the disc drive are engaged with the gear teeth in the tool, resulting in a positive transmission of power, for heavy buffing or fast paint correcting.
If you flip the drive disc over into position 2, the smooth rubber drive ring on the disc is in contact with the gear ring in the tool, producing a friction drive power transmission, allowing the tool pad to slip as more pressure is applied by the operator. With practice, one could control the rotational speed of the pad by applying varied pressure on the tool.
I used the disc drive in position 2, and it was VERY powerful. I felt that I was (am) too much of a newbie to even try the direct drive, even though it would still be a random orbital motion with rotation. This tool is like a $71.00 Flex. Did I mention $71.00?
I went back to the 7424 with cutting pad and bonnet to remove the NXT2 I applied and in comparison, the 7424 felt like a toy after using the 1370. It's not a toy, of course, it's also a great tool, but compared to the power and feel of the 1370, it felt...well.....toyish.
Lastly, this caveat: if you’re going to get a used power tool at a bargain price, chances are it was used by a carpenter. Carpenters have no idea how much we OCD'ers drool over these machines. What I’m getting at is……CLEAN IT before you use it. Use compressed air, pick at it, take it apart, alcohol wipe it, CLEAN IT! Sawdust, small wood chips, etc, you want those to suddenly appear between your soft foam pad and your paint?
Bosch1370DEVS Features: · 5.0 Amps, 4,800-12,000 OPM
· Eccentric orbit plus rotation
· Soft Start reduces start-up torque
· Constant-ResponseTM Circuitry - - Maintains constant speed under load - Overload protection
· Integral Pad Dampening prevents swirl marks and provides a consistent finish
· Two-way drive system - a simple flip of the reversible drive disc converts from an external gear drive to a slip drive
· Industrial type Ball-and-needle bearing construction
· Reversible auxiliary handle
· Ergonomically designed housing and front gripping
· Double insulated, UL listed, complies to OSHA
Specifications: · Rating 120V AC
· Amperage 5.0
· No Load OPM 4,800-12,000
· Eccentric Offset 4.5mm (11.3/64? 1.5/8?)
· Disc Size (150mm) 6”
· Length 9-3/4”
· Height 6-1/8”
· Weight (lbs.) 5.0
Linear Mode
