First glance at Makita 9227c Rotary buffer

K

Knight

New member
As you know, I am in the process of buying new equipment. I had a thread on the first glance of MF towles and wash tools. Now I just got my rotary buffer in the mail the other day for cheap. Brand new 190 dollars. That includes shipping ups 3 day. 175 without. Assembly was easy and I just L O V E the grip that goes across the buffer. I had a traditional one before with the arm on the side. I have to say I really like the grip a lot. Wow, how heavy though. I am glad I went with the makita instead of the dewalt, because it weighs a ton as is. The dials are very nice. They have the RPM label posted directly above the dials. The little notches between each settings are great. I plugged it in and just pulled the trigger and I like the increasing speed option. So thank you again for all help it took to make me decide on a rotary buffer. I am very happy and excited about the product. I made the right choice. I love rotaries. I can't wait to try this bad boy.



The makita 9227C is the bomb.





:up
 
:up I am glad that you like the buffer!! I have always had good luck with Makita products!! :)



Now, go get some pads and 3M or Meg's polish and start buffing!!!



Oh, just make sure you cover your windshield from splatters!!!
 
I plan on taking pictures of all my new stuff and do reviews on them once I start using them. I can't wait to get my 3M products. I am very excited. I will be posting a lot of pictures and such as soon as I get everything together. I plan on having everything in about a week or two.



Thanks for the info once again.





:up
 
I'm going to be following this thread closely. This is going to be the "breakout" rotary year for me and I also plan to get the Makita. Confession--I'm skipping over the PC orbital phase since I'm a pretty advanced hobbyist in other areas such as fine woodworking.



Can't wait!
 
I bought a PC 7424 for waxing & light polishing. I think it's easier and generate's less heat and less chance of damage. I am however going to purchase a Makita 9227c polisher. I am a little confused about the pad size though. It come's with a hook & loop backer pad but I wondered what size that is ? I know quite a few people I talked to use a 6" pad for polish/wax/cutting and wondered how they can do that if the backer pad is 7" or do I have to get a smaller backer pad ?



Can anyone shed some light on this for me ?



Thank's

Fall
 
Fallguy said:
I know quite a few people I talked to use a 6" pad for polish/wax/cutting and wondered how they can do that if the backer pad is 7" or do I have to get a smaller backer pad ?



Can anyone shed some light on this for me ?



Thank's

Fall
Click to expand...
Hook and loop rotary pads are usually made for a 7" backing pad. Meguiars also makes a 6.5" hook and loop backing pad for rotary polishers. I believe the part number is W-64.
 
Boxster, Let me put it this way. I love the Makita 9227c Rotary.

If your comparing dewalt to Makita I can't remember the name of the thread where I did a comparison. I was going to get a Dewalt until the makita took me.



In short- Weighs approx four pounds less than the dewalt. Easy read label of RPM settings. ( more RPM settings than the dewalt ) Since we know not to really go above 1800 rpm, The Makita has many more options in RPM speed. Dewalt/1000-3000 rpm Makita/600-3000 rpm. If you take the difference from 1800 for each, the makita has a lot more options given.( also has notches in- between each settings, so multiple it by two!) The handle is not traditional, but seems to be ergonomically designed better than the dewalt. Once you touch the handle you will never touch the side handle again.( also helps to keep the pad flat because it is positioned over the head of the buffer, unlike the side.) More amps. Approx same price, if not a couple bucks less than the dewalt. No actual studies or people have ever said it has broken or anything ( makita ). So while some may claim the dewalt is built better.... It is only a claim and so far I have not seen anything to prove otherwise that the makita is built any less better than the dewalt. Has Increasing speed to help prevent polish splatter. The dewalt I believe does not have this option along with the rest mentioned above. Also comes with a velcro backing plate extra. Also maybe a search, will help you find the thread I posted in about the two for more indepth information and analysis.



That is the information, so now, you can decide. ( wink, wink makita, cough makita )











:up
 
The "4 lbs less" alone is reason to pick the Makita. I have lots of tools from Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, Hitachi, Porter Cable for woodworking, and you know what? They're all pretty darn good! So its not an issue of quality but other very subtle differences (actually 4 lbs is a pretty bug deal).



I'll admit here when I bought a scroll saw I got so sick of all the great choices I picked a Hitachi because I didn't have a Hitachi yet and it was a pretty green color! :D
 
The reason the Makita is 4lbs lighter is because they use plastic parts in their motors, DeWalt does not. Neither does Milwaukee for that matter.



I don't think it's a "claim" that the DeWalt's are built better. There is a reason more pro detailing shops use DW849's than any other polisher built today.
 
Knight, you seem to have this burning need to find the absolute best products out there. Not the best product for you, but just the best. Sooner or later you are going to figure out that there is no best product. They all have their pros and cons. Your opinion of which is the best product in the world may not always be the same product that is best for other people. To proclaim that its the best without knowing what other peoples' needs are is just arrogance and won't win many points. Just thought I'd remind you since we have had this discussion before.



Originally posted by ShowroomLincolnThe reason the Makita is 4lbs lighter is because they use plastic parts in their motors, DeWalt does not. Neither does Milwaukee for that matter.



I don't think it's a "claim" that the DeWalt's are built better. There is a reason more pro detailing shops use DW849's than any other polisher built today.
Click to expand...





Amen brother. :xyxthumbs Anyone care to explain why its not good to have plastic parts in your machines? I can think of a few reasons.... THEY BREAK. :D This is why Kias and Hyundais only cost $9000 for a new car and the rest of the automotive industry charges more. Plastic is just not the most durable thing in the world if you are going to be using it a lot.
 
Knight, perhaps you should actually try the DeWalt, Porter Cable, and Milwaukee before you judge the quality of these machines? I am sure the Makita is a fine tool, but I would not consider it the best. I use a DeWalt and never really worry about or wish it had the "options" that you have listed here.



I rarely polish under 1000rpms and if I need to polish that slow, I rely on the magic of the variable control trigger switch. I probably will only use the 1000, 1400, and 1800rpm settings as I hope the need for a 1675rpm setting never arises.:rolleyes:



The handle is not really an advantage unless you are already use to the loop handle. You have never used a machine with a conventional handle so again, you have nothing to compare it to. It does not help keep the pad flat any more than a side handle does. Skill and co-ordination keep the pad flat. The fact that The handle is over the head makes little if any difference.
 
I see nothing wrong with knight, looking and asking what are the best products to use!!!!!!



Let's not be so hard on the kid !!!!!!!!!



Go back to your first thread and see if you weren't as excited as knight !!!! i'll wait go ahead!!!!!



Peace



Long Gold
 
Knight, How many cars have you detailed with a rotary to know which you like better? I have used 3 different Kinds (Makita, DeWalt, and a no name brand. So far I have found things I like about all of them but still not sure which to buy as of yet. So far I have detailed 4 cars with rotaries and I am still not sure which is the best in my eyes. I is a tough decision and I want to make sure I like the one I buy, not the one that everyone else likes ... ;)
 
Hey SRL, (This is not a flame)



Please tell me which parts are plastic in the motor of the Makita. Do you own the Makita? I own many and Dewalt and Porter Cable and... .



Please do not confuse plastic with other composite materials. GM uses a composite materials for their pick up box. It is just as reliable as its metal counterpart. The main feature is weight saving. Modern materials are very very durable and strong.



I may be new to the site, but not to tools. I own many tools and even have and use a Makita rotary(9207SPB) that I bought over 9 years ago!! Not one problem!! Now, I I have the 9227C and LOVE it!! ( The only problem lately are those darn Meg's Finishing Pads grabbing, when none of my others do! :D)



The reason that Dewalt is found in most shops is simple: it has a variable speed. Up until the 9227C Makita, no other Makita's had varible speed. Even my old 9207 has only 2 speeds.



On a side note, the majority of the tools that we buy for our shop classes at school ( I am a Teacher) are Makita. It is not because they are cheaper. In fact, most of the Makitas cost more than Dewalt. We buy them because they are ultra reliable. But so is Dewalt!! We do not have time to send tools out to get fixed. With that said, I own several Dewalt pieces because I like the product as well.



Whether you own a Makita, Dewalt or Porter Cable, you are buying a quality piece of equipment. I have a 18 volt Dewalt Drill, a 14.4 volt Makita drill, Porter Cable Routers X3, Dewalt Mitre saw, Porter Cable Brad and Finish air nailers, Porter Cable Biscuit Jointer, Makita Grinder, and two Makita rotaries: the 9207 and the 9227. What is my point? I like each piece for many reasons, including comfort, ease of use and of course quality. I love them all!! :up



It is a false assumption that just because many shops use Dewalt that they are a better product when in fact several factors and/or reasons must come into play. The variable speed is a biggest.



Again, this not to flame anyone, but rather to give a different perspective. Can we stop arguing which is better! If you like what you have say so without running down other people's choices.



Cheers!!! :xyxthumbs
 
2hotford,



There are many reasons most pro shops don't use the Makita. I will describe a few.



1. Motor to armature size. The Makita does have an 10 amp motor. The problem is the armature is undersized for this application. The Makita tends to run much hotter than other buffers which leads to many reliability problems.



2. Small brushes. The brushes are also undersized for this Motor armature combo. They are a standard brush and can't take the heat from the undersized armature. In a professional shop these things chew through brushes like you would not believe.



The parts in the Motor are a "composite", my apologies for the plastic reference. IMO composite is not much better than plastic. The gears in the motor are made of this composite material. They are NOT as good as other motors. DeWalt and Milwaukee use heat treated precision cut steel gears. They are MUCH more precise and reliable. Since the Makita motor runs hotter than other units the composite gears are much more prone to shear down and warp than other units. The Makita motors also don't use all ball bearing construction like other units. It might need seem like a big deal to you, but when you are using his machine 8 hours a day in a shop environment it makes a huge difference.



Yes, I have used the Makita. Personally, I prefer the DeWalt. I also know several large professional shops that purchased 3 Makita 9227C buffers and within 8 months 2 needed to be rebuilt and the other was totally fried. This same shop also has DeWalt and Milwaukee buffers and they rarely ever have a problem with them. Some of their DeWalts and Milwaukee's have been in professional service for over 5 years and never needed to be rebuilt even once. Needless to say I don't think they will be buying anymore Makitas.



There is no doubt Makita wanted to save weight (and more importantly $$$$) on the 9227C. The sad part is they put that concern over quality of the machine. With a few changes the 9227C could be and excellent rotary buffer, but as it is now I wouldn't buy one.
 
Hey SRL!



Again, I guess it is a matter of perspective. I am glad that you have used both as I have as well. Just so you know, the Makita has a 10 AMP motor and not an 11 AMP. The brush size is smaller than the Dewalt, but is made up of a different material. Hence, the size does not need to be as big.



The weight of the tool is also wrong! The Makita ways 6.6 lbs and the Dewalt weighs 8.25 lbs! For a total of 1.65 lbs difference! (Knight, you need to get your figures right before posting them!)



The armature is indeed smaller which may cause more heat, but again the casing is designed to dissapate the heat better. Hence, the larger armature is not needed. For example, diesel engines have always had cast iron heads, until GM came along with their Duramax with Aluminum heads. Is durability a factor? Not at all. Is the Aluminum weaker than cast iron? It sure is!! But, it has no affect on the durability of the engine. Same as with the Makita and the Dewalt. The Armature size argument is only valid if both tools use the same material for the casing. Is there a heat coating on the metal? Automotive Headers can get incredibly hot, but with a special coating ("Jet Hot") the temperatures are reduced tremendously! All of these factors need to be considered.



I too have a tough time with composite as I am from the "Old School" train of thought. But, I have seen first hand that the quality is there whether we believe it or not. Composite is no where near the level of plastic! Are the gears spiral in the Dewalt? All gears in the motors of either brand will be heat treated! What are the gears made of? Is there a friction modifier coating on the gears?



As for the shops that had problems, did you see how they were being used? Did you hear this first hand or through someone else? I can assure you, I can destroy ANY tool if I want!! It is just like the Ford versus Chevy debate: a story is told of how someone has had problems thereby making an assumption that the product is all no good. No offense, I have a hard time believing that shop! In a school, kids are REALLY hard on the equipment. I gurantee you, they will be far harder on the equipment than any professional shop would be!! At a shop, down time means lost money. At school, down time means the kids are free to roam the halls!! Perhaps you can see my point??!!

We have never ever had any quality concerns with the Makita products. In fact, they are sent out the least for maintenance than all of the other tools that we have!!



Again SRL, with no flame intended, these assumptions of problems or hearsay are still false. We need to have the answers to the questions I posed above. Moreover, we need to have real statistics to verify how many Makitas or Dewalts have had problems, before quality issues can be addressed.



I will contact the distributor of both Dewalt and Makita. Could you please give me the name of the shop that had the problems, so I can relay that to my contact. I am really shocked and concerned over the problems that you said this shop had.



Thanks

Tim
 
Tim,



I saw the use of the tools first hand, they were not used in any different manner than the other other buffers. It's your basic large scale professional detail operation. Each buffer has 4-7 hours of use time each day under various loads. The Makitas just didn't hold up for some reason. Since I don't work, or represent, this shop(s) I will have to contact them for further specifics. I am not sure if they want to be involved or not.



I know Makita was made aware of the problems, a rep came to their shop. The prodcuts were repaired/replaced under warranty.



:xyxthumbs
 
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