Stepping up to Rotary?

ShawnF350 said:
I have the newer Makita. Tons of pads to try it too.
My intent was to use it to put my Rupes to shame if the Rupes couldn't correct.
Well... The Rupes 15&21s did so well, I never used the rotary to do a car yet.

Headlights... the Rupes mini has brought a few back from the dead in minutes. This is what I would get if I were doing headlights.

I do use my rotary every time I do a detail though. It works great with my pad washer.
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So, wait a minute, let me make sure I read that right... You use your Makita to clean your pads? Like an extension of your pad washer? :confused:
 
RDKC said:
So, wait a minute, let me make sure I read that right... You use your Makita to clean your pads? Like an extension of your pad washer? :confused:
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Yes
I'm even cleaning foam applicators on the 5" BP. I don't bother changing the plate. It's working for all pads.
The DAs stink with the pad washer. I tried the 15, mini, and the 3401. Then remembered I had the rotary.
I'll eventually use it for other stuff but it's getting a good break in.
 
Mudman said:
I wanted to seek some advice from you guys. For the last 8 years off and on I have been using a PC 7424 to detail my cars...
While the DA is awesome, I was hoping to compliment it with a rotary to step things up a notch and round out my tools.

While most of the duty for this rotary will be headlights...I'd like use it in conjunction with the 7424 on paint correction.

The two buffers that have my eye are the Flex PE8 and PE14-2-150.
Between the two Flex polishers, which would you say has a more practical application to a wider range of tasks?


Thank you,
Mud
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If you ask 100 detailers this question you'll probably get 100 different answers.
These are two completely different types of machines in functions and abilities.

My Humble Opinion: The PE8 is a specialized machine for "small area only" use.

NOTE: The PE14 with a wool pad is my go-to machine for headlight correction.
The PE14 can work with a 7" wool pad all the way down to a 1" bp & foam pads.

The learning curve for a rotary is VERY different from learning the use a PC DA.
To start, I'd suggest getting a junkyard hood and practice, practice, practice.
As it has been described: The PC is a butter knife and the PE14 is a scalpel.
The bottom line...there is nothing I can't do with a rotary and a PC DA.

These are just my random thoughts...I hope they helped.

SIDE NOTE:
I'd also add a a Rupes 21 if you want to compliment your PC for paint correction.
 
Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and save for the PE14.

The Rupes get a lot of mention, but I never considered them before having been happy with the 7424. Not saying I wouldn't get another DA though, more tools make me happy. B)
 
Rsurfer said:
I would go with the PE14, as you can run full size pads as well as smaller pads. The PE8 is meant to run small (1"-4") pads only.
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thats what was thinking, just wasn't sure if the really small backing plates fit its spindle and if it would tare them apart with its power.
 
have done lots of rotary work with both the Makita and Dewalt. we use the Dewalt, no reason really, they both have the soft start function which is very nice. no machine can replace the good old fashioned high speed wheel. far as headlights, after sanding, use a heavier compound with a wool pad. that's as heavy cutting as you can get. makes it possible to often restore headlights without even sanding if you have a super heavy compound.
 
MooreImpressive said:
have done lots of rotary work with both the Makita and Dewalt. we use the Dewalt, no reason really, they both have the soft start function which is very nice. no machine can replace the good old fashioned high speed wheel. far as headlights, after sanding, use a heavier compound with a wool pad. that's as heavy cutting as you can get. makes it possible to often restore headlights without even sanding if you have a super heavy compound.
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This is something I haven't tried yet, since I don't have a wool pad for the DA. Although it never occurred to me. My process has just been M105 with an Orange 4'' LC CCS pad followed by M205 on a white pad- no wet sanding or anything. Feels like it takes a good amount of time, to do something that may have taken less with some light wet sanding. The results were acceptable, but I always felt like there was so much more shine I could get out of it. My secondary vehicle has horrible oxidation- which I really need to clean up soon.

This is what I did 2 days ago to my 2008 Tacoma.
 
When I started in the early 70's working in a small paint shop. I got to learn from a old pro on using a Rotary and back then these puppies were about 20 lbs and very large machines. To say the truth I did burn some paint back then and learn from my mistakes and to this day I still had one for compounding and polishing. Just remember you will have to be careful with speed and not staying in one spot or you will sending smoke signals. Practice on some old panel and take your time. BTW the PC is a must to have also for those jobs that don't required a rotary. Take care.
 
Sold my flex rotary a year ago. With the Rupes machine, the chemicals and pads available now I feel no need for a rotary unless you need to be production oriented
 
Todd@RUPES said:
That's not the PE14, that's the older 3403 (I think).
PE14 is full sized, light, and a great tool. :-)
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I really messed that post up didnt I ??? :)

Sorry, I meant the Flex 3403 which I also bought when it first came out and you know what I thought of it..

I also have the Flex PE14 which I also purchased when it first came out and it is nicer, of course, than the Flex3403..

But to me, its still a little machine, makes a lot of noise, and I still prefer the older, heavier, Makita 9227C..

Now, I have it right... :)
Dan F
 
Is the PE14 at $400 really that much better than the DeWalt at $250? It's .9lbs lighter, which is definitely something, but still. Is it much quieter? How about vibrations, ergonomics... really anything else. $150 buys a lot of stuff.
 
number1show said:
Is the PE14 at $400 really that much better than the DeWalt at $250? It's .9lbs lighter, which is definitely something, but still. Is it much quieter? How about vibrations, ergonomics... really anything else. $150 buys a lot of stuff.
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They both get the job done. I own both. That being said, the Flex is a very nice tool. Maybe you can go to a detail shop or supply store and compare for yourself. I dont think many people would use another rotary if they own a PE 14.
 
I used to use a Sioux polisher, 3000 rpms, speed control on the trigger - hit it and let it go - heavy and tough, a very reliable tool and as luck would have it you can get one for only $100 here. This will give you some idea how long I've been doing this.

Or you could get the Hitachi SP18VAH for under two hundred. It's lighter, has variable speed on a dial and on the trigger, and works very well. It makes a pad spin in a circle in a very controllable way and is just as good as anything on the market. It's lighter than most, spins up faster than the Makita, and for less than half the price of some others.

Robert
 
I will stand by my Makita suggestion. I don't see any value buying anything more expensive. Put that extra cash into a few different sized backing plates and pads.
 
Yeah, I've had excellent service from my Makita as well...spent a bunch of time this past week with on a new acquisition ('07 G35x). When used with much care and respect, the finish is outstanding.
 
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