Spoke with the man himself, Mr.Mike:)

[HateSwirls]

Today I called Autogeek to speak with Mike, knowing how busy he is I thought it was a long shot but sure enough we spoke, it was the second time.

Today I had to talk with him about a rotary buffer, I just couldn't make up my mind and boy did he help :dblthumb2:
I tell you the man is really nice and smart, he heard me out, after our talk I knew exactly which one I wanted and felt really good about it.
We're very lucky to have him here:dblthumb2:
Thanks again Mike:dblthumb2:

I'm ordering the DeWalt 849x.

Anyone have it?, if so what are your thoughts?
It's very powerful amd well mannered

[DetailedByPrecision]

At the body shop I currently work at we have the dewalt, and the makita. The dewalt is a beast with a wool pad cutting through 1200 grit sanding marks. It weighs lighter than the makita as well and the ergonomics, and design of it feels better in my hands.

[dpscoupe]

I have the DeWalt and love it! You won't be disappointed. The 600rpm low speed really makes it a versatile tool

[Znig22]

I have the 849x great rotary but I can't compare to many. I owned 2 cheap harbor freights prior. I really want the pe14 by flex. May I ask why you chose not to get that light weight buffer?

[HateSwirls]

Due to back problems, had a major surgery three months ago.
The lighter the better for me when working all weekend on buffing out a car.
I think the DeWalt is a great wheel.
Back is fine now and trying to keep it that way :dblthumb2:

Why would you want the PE-14 when you have one great machine in the 849x?
Any issues with the DeWalt?




I have the 849x great rotary but I can't compare to many. I owned 2 cheap harbor freights prior. I really want the pe14 by flex. May I ask why you chose not to get that light weight buffer?

[HateSwirls]

Mike spoke about the 600 RPM's in how well it works on CC.
Some rotaries lowest speed is 1000 RPM's which is a little high.




I have the DeWalt and love it! You won't be disappointed. The 600rpm low speed really makes it a versatile tool

[Znig22]

Noisy IMO. But it is a lot quieter then a cheap harbor freight unit. From the YouTube videos I have watched it seems the pe14 is quieter. Any takers on this myth?

[Chase_910]

Own both Flex PE 14 and the Dewalt 849X. Use the 849X on boats and it has great power to spin large wool cutting pads all day long. The PE 14 is lighter and does not have the same power - use it mainly for smaller detail spots on boats and vehicles. If you need a rotary for a vehicle then I would personally go with the Flex PE14 (lighter, smoother and ergonomically a bit more comfortable than the Dewalt 849X). If you need serious correcting power with wool cutting pads then the Dewalt is the strongest of the two.

[HateSwirls]

Can't be louder than my current HF rotary or my GG6 I wouldn't think.

I'll use my PC along with four inch pads.
My GG6 I'll use 5.5 inch pads.
HF Rotary along with a three inch pad, the wheel shouldn't have any problem turning the small pad.
My soon to be DeWalt with 5.5 inch pads and also my wool pad to use to remove sanding marks.
My drill for 3 or 4 inch pads.

I should be covered in all areas. :dblthumb2:





Noisy IMO. But it is a lot quieter then a cheap harbor freight unit. From the YouTube videos I have watched it seems the pe14 is quieter. Any takers on this myth?

[hernandez.art13]

I use a Dewalt at work, great tool. I went to my other uncles shop today. I wet sanded a fender that got repainted.

I used 100% the Rupes with a 6" backing plate and 6" blue wool hybrid pad and Menzerna FG400.

It took it the sanding marks out but took a long time, longer than a Rotary would have.

I am thinking for body shop work a Rotary pretty much dominates. If it were jet black paint. My plan will be to wet sand, then Rotary and wool pad/ 3M compound. 3M polish and polishing pad.

Then I'll switch to my Rupes to clean up any imperfections.

On metallic paint, i'll just stick with a Rotary. (Since I am detailing production style)

If it were a customer's car then A Rupes all the way and my PC.

Congrats on your new tool btw :xyxthumbs:

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

The flex is the lighter of the 2 machines your were looking at, so if you had back surgery and wanted go get a lighter buffer why not chose the flex. It is lighter by 1 pound. Just curious?

[HateSwirls]

I wanted the Flex 3403 being its s light but I spoke with a few people and all agreed it would heat up on me and wouldn't be a workhorse as I need sometimes.





The flex is the lighter of the 2 machines your were looking at, so if you had back surgery and wanted go get a lighter buffer why not chose the flex. It is lighter by 1 pound. Just curious?

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

I wanted the Flex 3403 being its s light but I spoke with a few people and all agreed it would heat up on me and wouldn't be a workhorse as I need sometimes.

Ok, I thought you were looking at the PE-14.

[Mike Phillips]

Good talking to you yesterday...

Just to note, I said that I normally grab the Flex PE14 for most products. You can see that by the pictures I post. Even in this video (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/70997-how-wet-sand-car-video.html). I did this entire project using the Flex PE14.


Appples and Orange
I also said, in a perfect world you would have both a FULL SIZE rotary buffer and a COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT rotary buffer. Then you could pick the best tool for the job.

I go with the Flex because it's lightweight and compact and prefer to use it for hours of buffing.

I go with the DeWALT when I have to do grunt work like removing oxidation off the hull of a boat.


So when you asked me which one to go with I said if you're just going to choose one, go with the DeWALT 849X as it's the best FULL SIZE rotary buffer on the market and it still dials-down to a low of 600 RPM

The Flex PE14 has a low of 400 RPM when you feather the trigger and locks at 600 RPM

The DeWALT isn't that much more heavier but it is a lot more bulky. The bulk comes from the large stamped gears which create more noise than the Flex PE14 ground gears but the large weight of the gears gives it more reciprocating mass which works better for doing grunt work.


You can still do surgical or precision buffing using the DeWALT 849X it's just the bulkier body doesn't lend itself as well to this type of work as the slender, small body of the Flex PE14.

You'll love your DeWALT 849X, like the rubber overmold at the head for both gripping and avoiding scratching or scarring anything. The vent grills help to keep the inside of the tool free from wool dust bunnies and the tool overall is very well built.



The DeWALT DWP849X
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita002.jpg



The DeWALT comes with a soft rubber cap over the head of the polisher. This serves two function,

1. It makes gripping and holding onto the head comfortable and secure.

2. It acts as a bumper to prevent scratching or marring if you accidentally bump the head of the polisher into any painted surface an other components.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita003.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita004.jpg


Soft Rubber Tool Rest
There is as soft rubber horizontal tool rest across the top of the DeWALT at both the front and the back. This keeps the tool from sliding off a smooth surface or even scratching it should you lay the polisher down when not in use.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita005.jpg


Below you can see the rear soft rubber tool rest and also note the speed selector is recessed to help prevent accidental changes in speed while using the tool.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita006.jpg


Recessed Lock Button
The drive gear lock button is also recessed to prevent you from accidentally pressing the button when gripping the head of the unit while running the buffer.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita007.jpg



Wool Ingestion Shields
The fresh air intake has a wire mesh shield to help prevent wool fibers and other debris from being sucked into the motor and body cavity.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita008.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/DeWALTvsMakita019.jpg


:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

For those reading this into the future, do check out this article...


Flex PE14 vs DeWALT 849X - Compact vs Full Size (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/74071-flex-pe14-vs-dewalt-849x-comact-vs-full-size.html)



Compact, Lightweight vs Full Size

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/797/RotaryBuffersSizes04.jpg



:buffing: