Griots Garage 6" RO. Is it me?

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imported_Picus

New member
Hey guys - I know a lot of you use these regularly. I would say I am doing ~25-30 hours a week with one. I also know there are a few issues with their durability but I seem to be killing them at a pretty alarming rate. The first died when the solder came off the pcb than connects to the variable speed control. The second died when the motor was knocked ajar (yes, I dropped it), my bad. The third died today after less than 6 months when the carbon brushes disintegrated. I know it seems like a silly question, but is anyone else losing them in under 6 months with regular use and a reasonable amount of care? Yes, I know I dropped the second one so that's on me. :)



I can suck it up as the cost of doing business, it just seems like they're going quick to me (none lasted more than 8 months).
 
My boy Joey kills them at an alarming rate too. He has loose bearings on his latest.



Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
 
I am in the same shoe - Lucky if they last 6 months, but as long I get replacements, who cares. (I have 2 of them)



However my PC XP is working just fine.
 
Guys, I just bought one of these and like it very much. How long is the warranty period?



Thx.
 
warranty is lifetime, longer than any other polisher. I have two, and the only time I warrantied mine was my own fault, neither have failed in any way.
 
I've gone through a couple of them now. I currently have 3 of them, each set up with different BP size and unfortunately my 4" one fell off my chair last weekend and busted the switch inside (need to open it up and see if it can be fixed)....the chair is only 18" from the ground BTW. 2 of them have wobbly bearings, one of which is to the point I don't feel safe using it and the unit that is still good I just recently picked up. I actually spent the extra to get the HD model that I use for the main correction. I like the better quality cord but hate the 25' length. As of now that one seem solid and hope it holds up.



I like the power but the quality sucks. I know Eric (Envious Detailing) has been denied further repairs since he uses them for a business. I think he went through 6 or 7 of them before they said no more....
 
RaskyR1 said:
I like the power but the quality sucks. I know Eric (Envious Detailing) has been denied further repairs since he uses them for a business. I think he went through 6 or 7 of them before they said no more....
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I've been expecting denials of warranty due to extend use. It has to be expensive for them.
 
Ya I sent an e-mail and was told to send it in for repair/replace. The warranty is great for sure. I have 3 currently so it's no biggy to send in; only issue is I am in Canada so I can guarantee shipping will be almost half the cost of the machine. I love the power but I am really getting creased about the durability. I have a PC XP that's been going forever; it's just a little gutless. A shame there isn't an RO with the power of the GG and durability of...well, something better. I am glad to know it's not just me killing them. I guess putting so many hours on them just exacerbates the issues they already have.



What are you guys using as alternatives anyway? PC XP? Megs unit? Sucking it up and going forced rotation flex route?
 
As much as i love my Flex 3401 - If I was in your situation and I am the only person using the tool, i would strongly consider a rotary. The big brands such as Makita, Dewalt, and Milwaukee are built like bank vaults and their latest models are much lighter than the previous generation without a sacrifice in power. Getting one would allow you to really save time when it comes to serious paint correction and you would still have your other GG DA's for final polishing. These rotaries may not have the aforementioned "lifetime" warranty but odds are you would never have to use it even with high-production usage.
 
MCA said:
As much as i love my Flex 3401 - If I was in your situation and I am the only person using the tool, i would strongly consider a rotary. The big brands such as Makita, Dewalt, and Milwaukee are built like bank vaults and their latest models are much lighter than the previous generation without a sacrifice in power. Getting one would allow you to really save time when it comes to serious paint correction and you would still have your other GG DA's for final polishing. These rotaries may not have the aforementioned "lifetime" warranty but odds are you would never have to use it even with high-production usage.
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:) Sorry, I can't help the smiley face. I have two Makitas and a dewalt. I've had the first Makita for 9 years. I can only imagine the amount of hours on it. I think I've replaced the brushes 20 times. :D I still use them daily for corrections. As much as I respect and love the ROs now with the mf pads, DA polishes etc, I've been a rotary man for ages.



I use the GG's primarily for corrections on soft paint where I know I'll only need two steps, or as a second/finishing step after the rotary. Basically I use them when I know D300/mf pad will do the correction and I can finish with something like gtechniq p2... or when I am prep'ing for something like opti coat with opt polish... so in a ~90 hour week they probably get ~30-40 hours of use between me and my helper. I know it isn't a massive amount but it seems like a lot for these machines.



Thomas - for sure, I saw the post about the HD RO yesterday (busy, late to the game...), looks promising.
 
Picus at your professional rate why not invest in a higher end orbital? The GG to me is an outstanding machine, but for professionals going hardcore not the most ideal machine. Taken a look at the feestool/shinex/rotex polishers?



This reminds me awhile back of the discussion regarding pushing some of the more expensive rotaries too far.
 
SilvaBimma said:
Picus at your professional rate why not invest in a higher end orbital? The GG to me is an outstanding machine, but for professionals going hardcore not the most ideal machine. Taken a look at the feestool/shinex/rotex polishers?



This reminds me awhile back of the discussion regarding pushing some of the more expensive rotaries too far.
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How long have you had a festool for? My FEQ 150 is a very nice solid machine, but it just does not get it done like a dynabrade on a rotary. Now the new Rupes machine might be worth the entry cost, time will tell. Buying a GG for $100-$130 is the best choice for now.
 
gmblack3 said:
How long have you had a festool for? My FEQ 150 is a very nice solid machine, but it just does not get it done like a dynabrade on a rotary. Now the new Rupes machine might be worth the entry cost, time will tell. Buying a GG for $100-$130 is the best choice for now.
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You do mention another great alternative - the Dynabrade. I have personally never used one but a lot of reputable detailers swear by its performance. It would fit well with the myriad of rotaries that Picus already owns.
 
I've thought about the dynabrade. I will probably try it. I do like having the smaller DA in some instances so I have been reluctant to tie up a rotary with an attachment...but that may be the way to go.
 
With the Griots RO's not seeming to hold up well with professional use and the PC 7424 XP being a bit down on power (although still noticeably better than the original one), my next investment will be a dynabrade attachment for my Dewalt.
 
Dynabrade sounds interesting, is there any info on speeds on a Makita that correspond to a dyanbrade attachment? Like what speed would emulate a speed 4 on a DA for MF pads?
 
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