DA Polisher: Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all?

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

DA Polishers - Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all?


Just posted a thread on the same subject here

Rotary Buffers - Stick Handle - Hoop Handle - Or no handle at all



but wanted to start a dedicated thread for the PC style polishers too...

The Porter Cable unit comes with stick handles, the G110 comes with a Hoop Handle and the Griot's Garage comes with a Hoop handle,

Anyone have any preferences?

I never use the handles myself and in the case of the stick handle, on some cars if you're buffing some curves you an actually put yourself in a position where the handle could touch and scar the paint.

For Newbies, the hoop handle helps them to keep their pad flat because the handle positions their hand directly over the head of the polisher. Newbies to machine polishing will tend to buff crooked when first starting out because they'll place more pressure on the handle side of the polisher and this ends up with their pad on edge. This leads to a lack of rotating of the buffing pad, so I've found it's better to remove the stick handle when teaching someone new to polishing how to use the PC style polishers.

Taken from 2008 Lexus IS 250 - Pinnacle Detail - August 14th, 2009


Using the handle is an option, the new PC 7424XP has new body design that's smaller and more rounded making the head of the unit easier to grasp and hold onto for extended periods of time. Most people that I've met that have tried their polisher without the handle never look back. If you use the handle be careful as on some cars when buffing out an angled panel you may find the handle coming precariously close to an adjacent panel where it could possibly mar or scratch the paint. My personal preference is to use this polisher without the handle.

So my personal preference is to take the handle off use it without it, I think most people that try this never look back...

What say you?

[CharlesW]

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

So my personal preference is to take the handle off use it without it, I think most people that try this never look back...

What say you?

By holding just the head of the machine, it is much less tiring to apply some pressure. It also allows you to switch hands occasionally which helps reduce fatigue.

[Jimmie]

PC- no handle
Rotary- hoop handle

[SRHTX]

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

So my personal preference is to take the handle off use it without it, I think most people that try this never look back...

What say you?

Well, for me, having a busted finger, I must have a handle to assist in controlling the Flex. People might think "Nah, there is nothing wrong with it.", they just will probably never know until something major happens to them.

[Rsurfer]

That is one mean scar. Can only imagine what it look like when it was first injured. You should be thankful that you still have use of that hand.

[SRHTX]

Originally Posted by Rsurfer

That is one mean scar. Can only imagine what it look like when it was first injured. You should be thankful that you still have use of that hand.

Hmmmmmm..... I will not make a comment about that. I should have been way up in the sky with him up there.

BEFORE:




AFTER:





I miss that ol V8 SHO.

[2003 GMC Denali]

Holy Crap... what hit you ?

A Train ?

[SRHTX]

Originally Posted by 2003 GMC Denali

Holy Crap... what hit you ?

A Train ?

No. Just a Dodge Dacota.

[Rsurfer]

If he hit you on the driver side with the same impact you wouldn't be here.

[SRHTX]

Originally Posted by Rsurfer

If he hit you on the driver side with the same impact you wouldn't be here.

No comment on that.

This it what the Dodge looked like: