Griot's 3 inch, or small plate and pads?

[nickgodfrey]

So I'm considering getting the Griot's 3 inch polisher. I'm also thinking about just getting a 4 inch plate and pads for the full size. It almost seems more cost effective to get the small polisher, but I'm wondering what you guys think?

[glen e]

So I'm considering getting the Griot's 3 inch polisher. I'm also thinking about just getting a 4 inch plate and pads for the full size. It almost seems more cost effective to get the small polisher, but I'm wondering what you guys think?

I have owned the 3 inch for about 3 years - it is great with the polishing pads to apply waxes and sealants - it is not strong enuf to do any type of swirl correction or compounds to any great degree. If you want to do correction, stick with the larger orbitals and use a smaller plate.

that being said it is so nice to use the 3", with one hand stretching on a roof to spread your fav product....great for vehicle front ends too....

[TLMitchell]

I have owned the 3 inch for about 3 years - it is great with the polishing pads to apply waxes and sealants - it is not strong enuf to do any type of swirl correction or compounds to any great degree. If you want to do correction, stick with the larger orbitals and use a smaller plate.

that being said it is so nice to use the 3", with one hand stretching on a roof to spread your fav product....great for vehicle front ends too....

:whs:

TL

[toycar18]

The new Griots 3" is much more powerful. It is almost as powerful as the Porter Cable is with a 5.5 pad if not more powerful. It takes a TON of pressure to stop the 3" pads.

The old version was a joke! I aabsolutely love the 3" Griots!

[Kristopher1129]

I vote GG 3" for a few reasons, and I'll tell ya why...

1.) the 3" always has a 3" plate, and is ready to roll right away.

2.) the housing is smaller, and it fits better in tight spaces

3.) it's fantastic for headlight restores


It's a great tool. The 3" pads on the larger DAs just doesn't feel the same. Not too mention the machines are over powered for 3" pads IMO.

The GG 3" is well balanced. It just feels right to me.

[nickgodfrey]

Sounds like going with the 3 inch buffer is the way to go. Most of the reasons I had for wanting one are exactly why everyone seems to like theirs.

[J.Thompson]

I was disappointing in my 3". 3 cars later and it started having issues with the on/off switch? Never once dropped it and now you have to flick the switch to on rather than slid it to generate a connection, sometimes that fails...strange. I suppose I should have contacted Griot's right away as the new model also came out one month later :(

I agree with the above, it is not that great for paint work but good for applications.

-Justin

[Klasse Act]

I was disappointing in my 3". 3 cars later and it started having issues with the on/off switch? Never once dropped it and now you have to flick the switch to on rather than slid it to generate a connection, sometimes that fails...strange. I suppose I should have contacted Griot's right away as the new model also came out one month later :(

I agree with the above, it is not that great for paint work but good for applications.

-Justin

Well as you know or may not know, its covered under their lifetime warrenty, they might just send you back the new model, worth a shot. I've had nothing but positive experiences with them, so you should be happy when you send it back.

I find it to be a great too, in tight spots its awesome and IMO, its pretty damn strong and does a good job on the type of paint correction I need it for, anything worse, I'll just pull out the 6" and TCB:props:

[J.Thompson]

Thanks Sir...I actually forgot completely about the warranty being lifetime!

[Mike Phillips]

Here some info...

Dampsanding with 3" Griot's Garage Mini Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/38475-dampsanding-3-griot-s-garage-mini-polisher.html)


Blown 1934 Ford Pick-up - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Kristin (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/43007-blown-1934-ford-pick-up-show-car-makeover-modeled-kristin.html)


This is me working on the window frames...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34051.jpg


Machine polishing the visor using the Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34052.jpg

The 3" Mini Polisher with a 3" Red Waxing pad works perfect on the front frame rails...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34065.jpg


Machine waxing the paint in front of the engine...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34068.jpg


Machine waxing the painted steel radiator tube...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34069.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34070.jpg

fhttp://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34071.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1310/Project34078.jpg




:xyxthumbs:

[DaytonaJae]

The new Griots 3" is much more powerful. It is almost as powerful as the Porter Cable is with a 5.5 pad if not more powerful. It takes a TON of pressure to stop the 3" pads.

The old version was a joke! I aabsolutely love the 3" Griots!

Is there a way to tell for sure which version I have? I recently purchased the 3" Griot's and it does bog down with the slightest bit of pressure. Needless to say I am severely disappointed in this product right now.

[VISITOR]

The new Griots 3" is much more powerful. It is almost as powerful as the Porter Cable is with a 5.5 pad if not more powerful. It takes a TON of pressure to stop the 3" pads.

The old version was a joke! I aabsolutely love the 3" Griots!

i would have to disagree, i can stop the GG3 more easily than the PC with 5.5" pads. not to mention, you'l get more correction with the PC as well. YMMV i guess...

[VISITOR]

Is there a way to tell for sure which version I have? I recently purchased the 3" Griot's and it does bog down with the slightest bit of pressure. Needless to say I am severely disappointed in this product right now.

this is the current version...
http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/GriotsGarage/10739_FAM?$detail$

i would rather have the 1" Random Orbital it's much more powerful. just listen to the sound clip... :D
Griot's Garage 1" Cordless Random Orbital (http://www.griotsgarage.com/display.do?ruleID=100212)

[clm65]

Is there a way to tell for sure which version I have? I recently purchased the 3" Griot's and it does bog down with the slightest bit of pressure. Needless to say I am severely disappointed in this product right now.

Ditto to this response. I just got mine a few months ago, and it looks just like the one pictured above. Any amount of pressure and it stops spinning. As stated previously, if you only want to apply waxes and sealants, it is probably ok. But if you want to use it for correcting, you may be disappointed too.

[Jomax]

this is the current version...
http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/GriotsGarage/10739_FAM?$detail$

i would rather have the 1" Random Orbital it's much more powerful. just listen to the sound clip... :D
Griot's Garage 1" Cordless Random Orbital (http://www.griotsgarage.com/display.do?ruleID=100212)

Griots makes a 1in!?!?!?! That looks pretty cool!!