Need advice on rotary buffers

**budman3** · 02-17-2008, 11:44 AM

If your in no rush keep an eye on Ebay... there are some good deals if you catch them at the right time. Any of the above will work fine. If you just want to learn on a rotarty before going head first into a Dewalt or Makita, Harbor Freight has the Chicago Electric rotaries for $25-50. It's a good tool to learn on and even if it won't last long your not out a lot of $$.

**id-type-s** · 02-17-2008, 01:03 PM

Is the 5 year warrenty about the norm for the rotary??

**jesselyons2002** · 02-17-2008, 03:45 PM

Get the Makita 9227c or Dewalt 849. You'll see more professional use those.

**ZoranC** · 02-17-2008, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by id-type-s

Is the 5 year warrenty about the norm for the rotary??

No. Norm is 1-year. There are some 3-years. There is only one 5-year that I know of: Hitachi

**BES225** · 02-17-2008, 04:50 PM

I have not used a rotary before, is using one as onerous as it sounds? Is there some way to learn how to use one?

**id-type-s** · 02-17-2008, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by ZoranC

No. Norm is 1-year. There are some 3-years. There is only one 5-year that I know of: Hitachi

Good to know. From what I have seen the dewalt has the 5 year warrenty as well.

Thanx for the info

**id-type-s** · 02-17-2008, 07:14 PM

what about Flex?? I here they make a DA and Rotary. Any input?

**budman3** · 02-17-2008, 07:22 PM

It all depends on what you want to do with it.... just for personal care 2-3 x a year? Weekend detailing? Full time? Any rotary will correct faster than a DA. If time matters (full time) then a rotary is your best bet. Which one, as you can see, is quite subjective. Makita and Dewalt are tried and true brands which you can bet on them lasting for a very long time for not too much money. If you prefer a light weight rotary, the Flex (small one, not sure what #) or the Metabo are good choices, but the price is higher. I personally waited until I found a good deal (Makita) and went with that. Everyone has a different opinion on everything in detailing and the same is true with rotaries. I don't think you can go wrong with any choice listed here.

**Stanger'66** · 02-17-2008, 08:59 PM

I would go Metabo or Makita 9227. Rotaries are not as scary as some people make them out to be. I started out on a rotary and never had any problems. I didn't even know there were other options like the PC and UDM.

**jesselyons2002** · 02-19-2008, 01:09 AM

I don't know about the metabo. It takes a little bit more time to polish a car because you have to keep looking at the speed dial to change rpm. It does have a short soft start and does have torque.

Here's some answer I got from pro detail when I ask which rotary did they like that they have use

From TH0001:

I used to use the Hitachi but started using the Makita when I had starting having problems with the Hitachi. I like the extra weight and better durability, as well as the soft start, of the Makita. Its the right size, weight, and smoothness.

From Dave KG:

Hello there,

The metabo was not my rotary, I was however trying it out tosee what it was like. I personally own a Makita 9227CB, and after trying the Metabo, I will be sticking with the Makita. The metabo, while being a lighter tool and this being an advantage on side panels for example, I find ergonomically poor. The Makita, despite being heavier, I find easier to handle and more geared to spending a long time with the tool. Additionally, the speed control on the Metabo is crazily placed, similar to a PC, which makes it a pest to adjust speed when in operation. The Makita has its speed control right next to your thumb by contrast.

Cheers,

Dave