HF Rotary

[bicycle]

Has anyone had any experience using this machine.

 

[Ron Ketcham]

Have 3 rotory buffers including a 9 year old HF, tend to usr it the most.

 

[GearHead_1]

I had one and it worked just fine. I found I usually ended up picking up my Flex when needing a rotary. I ended up giving it to my neighbor. He uses it to “Buff Out” his horse trailer. His work is not to envy but he’s completely happy with it.

 

[bicycle]

Have 3 rotory buffers including a 9 year old HF, tend to usr it the most.

Which backing plate do you use??
I only need to use it occasionally.
Trying to save some money by not buying one of the name brands.

 

[Stokdgs]

Has anyone had any experience using this machine.

I have no experience with the Harbor Freight Rotary but decades of experience with Rotary Power..
I only use a 5" Backing Plate with 5-1/4" size pads, and an extension on the end of the Rotary to enable me to see the work better, and sometimes get into tighter spaces easier.. This Extension --- https://www.autopia-carcare.com/buff-and-shine-rotary-backing-plate-extension.html#.YBSVEjGQH3g

Of course, it is also easy to change to smaller backing plates in this configuration, with smaller pads, and really get into smaller spaces..

I would not suggest you use this under door handles, if ANY of the Pad touches the door cup EDGE... There is way less paint on any EDGE, and a Rotary can take off the material way quicker than anything else...

There is much, much, more to speak of on the subject of using a Rotary...
Dan F

 

[Ron Ketcham]

Have 7,6,4 and 2 inch backing plates, all from China bought through Ebay.

 

[Lonnie]

As an extension of this discussion on the Harbor Freight rotary buffer, I started a thread in July, 2016 asking " Have Long-Throw Dual-Action Orbital Buffers Replaced Rotary Polishers?".
https://www.autopia.org/forums/mach...tary-polishers-saga-continues.html?highlight=

The consensus was for many of you, yes the LT-DA has supplanted/replaced your rotary for many detailing correction and polishing tasks.
BUT, as many of you noted, the rotary still has its place. If you correct boats, RVs, truck box tonneau covers, or airplanes made with fiberglass, rotaries are THE tool of choice and a necessity.

it is also note-worthy that Griot`s Garage has brought out a mini-rotary in the GR3:
https://www.autopia.org/forums/griot-s-garage/191919-huh-griots-rotary.html
and is considering a full-size rotary, the GR6:
https://www.autopia.org/forums/griot-s-garage/192189-news-griot-garage-size-gr6-rotary.html

 

[Dr Oldz]

I bought one about 10 years ago. I do not use it very often. I tend to grab the Rupes rotary. I like the weight and ergonomics of the Rupes. I also occasionally use the Flex and I like that second best.

That being said, I used the HF on some heavy duty cut jobs and honestly had no issues with it. May not be the prettiest machine but it worked just fine and surprisingly ran very cool.