Buying Rotary!
- Thread starter 1Bad81Bu
- Start date
I just picked up a Makita locally today. I was going to get the metabo, but they only had the older model, so went for the on sale Makita. Before I did, I went to a body shop and picked up a fender to abuse. Going to use the fender to practice on and get a feel for what it takes to burn through the clear. Once I get a feel for the rotary on the scrap piece, I'll use it on horizontal panels on one of my cars and slowly work my way to the vertical panels. Until then, vertical panels will get the pc.
If you're like me and cant wait to order it, look up all the tool stores in your area. Otherwise, there are a host of places online. You just have to determine which one you want and start searching.
If you're like me and cant wait to order it, look up all the tool stores in your area. Otherwise, there are a host of places online. You just have to determine which one you want and start searching.
Accumulator
Well-known member
I got both the Makita and the Metabo from Top of the Line Auto Detailing Supplies .
1Bad81Bu said:
I just got a Hitachi a few months ago and love it. I searched on here and a few other detailing forums. It seems that most people like the Hitachi, Makita, and Metabo. All three are equally good. They are all well made. The Hitachi has a 5 year warranty. The Makita 1 year. The Metabo 3 years if you register on their website. Only thing too worry about with the Hitachi is it draws 11 amps. Depending on your electrical system and breakers it might trip some if you have anything else plugged in. I have mine on a 20 amp circuit and never had a problem.
The Hitachi is sometimes hard to find. I would look at Coastal Tool for good prices on Hitachi and Makita. I live in NY and I get orders from Coastal (CT) the next day. I have always had great service from them, good people. Only problem maybe that the Hitachi is back ordered there.
The Metabo is kind of unique compared to the Hitachi and Makita. It is a lot lighter and has a unique ergonomic design. You hold onto the head of the polisher instead of a forward handle. Metabo recently upgraded their polisher with a higher amp motor (10 amps). The Metabo is high quality German tool and you pay for it. It runs about $75 more than the other two. The price from Accumulator's link is a little high. I have seen the Metabo for under $250. If anybody has a good place to buy these online a link would be great.
If you can see if you can get a hold of each of the polishers and see which one fits in your hands, balances, and just seems right for you. Any of these 3 polishers will work for you.
Good luck!
About 2 months ago I purchased my Metabo and I too was debating with the Makita or Metabo and I went to a store that has the Makita and I placed my hands and I didn't like how it felt in my hands oh and it felt heavy to me. I live in Canada and I had a hard time finding a Metabo so I never did feel it in my hands till I recieved it and I'm happy with my purchase. The Metabo feels like a glove in your hand, things are located where they are sopposed to be and your hands wont hurt or feel soar at all.
I purchased my Metabo from www.heavydutysotre.com I paid $233.00 for it. Best price I could find.
Well hope this helps.
I purchased my Metabo from www.heavydutysotre.com I paid $233.00 for it. Best price I could find.
Well hope this helps.
gmblack3a said:
Nica that is a great price! Those guys are in Rochester, NY. Sucks for me NY state tax doesn't make it as good of a deal.
gmblack3a the Metabo that you just ordered do you know if it is the updated one with the 10 amp motor?
UPDATE:
Nica it is now $245.33 Heavy Duty Tools Metabo Polisher. Seems like they have gone up about $10 almost everywhere in the last month. I wonder if it is the updated higher amp motor?
The best backing plates seem to be the Lake Country flexible urethane ones. You can get them pretty much anywhere.
Auto Geek has them in all sizes. That link also gives you the match between backing plate and pad size. I have ordered a lot of stuff from them and great service.
As far as pad sizes its up to you. Seems like most people like to start out with the 6.5" pads. I have the 7.5" LC CCS pads and like them. Some people say the smaller size pads are easier to control. The 6.5" pads are completely flat. The 7.5" pads are curved a little toward the edges. So unless you push down real hard (being I am noob and wouldn't) you probably only have a 6.5" contact area.
Some people like Meguiar's, Lake Country CCS, or Edge Pads. After reading a bunch and wanting to use Menzerna products I went with the LC CCS pad and couldn't be happier. The Edge pads have a unique adapter that you just pop the pad off and on centered every time. I have never had a problem centering pads.
Auto Geek has them in all sizes. That link also gives you the match between backing plate and pad size. I have ordered a lot of stuff from them and great service.
As far as pad sizes its up to you. Seems like most people like to start out with the 6.5" pads. I have the 7.5" LC CCS pads and like them. Some people say the smaller size pads are easier to control. The 6.5" pads are completely flat. The 7.5" pads are curved a little toward the edges. So unless you push down real hard (being I am noob and wouldn't) you probably only have a 6.5" contact area.
Some people like Meguiar's, Lake Country CCS, or Edge Pads. After reading a bunch and wanting to use Menzerna products I went with the LC CCS pad and couldn't be happier. The Edge pads have a unique adapter that you just pop the pad off and on centered every time. I have never had a problem centering pads.
kastanaras
New member
Just goto a store which specialises in hardware tools. Don't goto those huge warehouse stores which stock everything. These stores wouldn't know crap about hardware tools.
A hardware store will be able to order in any tool you want and probly also get you a price of any tool you are looking for. These stores usally also service tools aswell so you won't have any problems with getting it replaced or fixed.
A hardware store will be able to order in any tool you want and probly also get you a price of any tool you are looking for. These stores usally also service tools aswell so you won't have any problems with getting it replaced or fixed.
JohnLINY said:
Yea I went there and I too noticed the price went up, actually I remember when I ordered mine the prcie did say $245.00 after I added it to the shopping basket but the price was displayed diferently so they gave it to me at the displayed price. Mine is the the updated version and they were swaping prices out and I caught just right.
You wana hear somethiung funny, if I were to purchase it here localy the cheapest I found it was $499 canadian
....I know crazy isn't it hahaha. So for me waiting for the shipping was not an issue.Nica said:Yea I went there and I too noticed the price went up, actually I remember when I ordered mine the prcie did say $245.00 after I added it to the shopping basket but the price was displayed diferently so they gave it to me at the displayed price. Mine is the the updated version and they were swaping prices out and I caught just right.
You wana hear somethiung funny, if I were to purchase it here localy the cheapest I found it was $499 canadian
Wow :shocked That is expensive even with exchange rates. At least in Canada you can get good beer and regular flush toilets! Not the crappy low flush ones down here in the States.