Harbor Freight Rotary

JCastro1085 said:
where could I find a backing plate for this one?



- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices



I don't need something heavy duty or for everyday use on customers, just something I could use for my vehicle only
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here are a couple that are great!



Lake Country Rotary Hook & Loop 6" Backing Plate - 150 mm - Free Shipping Available | Detailed Image



Meguiar's Solo Easy-Buff Rotary Backing Plate W66 - 5.75" - Free Shipping Available | Detailed Image
 
Tru_Shine said:
Yeah thats the one that i have, and any Rotary backing plate will work on that one. and that backing plate in the post above is just about one of the best, if you click on that link and add to cart and put the cupon code "Thanks09" and it takes it down to $18.
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Hey thanks Tru Shine I really appreciate the advice and coupon! Now only if I knew this earlier I would of stopped by and picked it up. I really do like the handle better then the $59.99 polisher available.



How has $30 one held up?
 
well there is a $30 buffer with the regular side handle then there is the $50 one with the "D" handle on it, I have both, one with the 3" backing plate for the tight areas, and then that Meguiars w66 backing plate for the other one.
 
I have both. Think as it as like using a crescent adjustable wrench to loosen a bolt over using a wrench made specifically for that bolt size.



The adjustable will work but isn't as easy or nice as the specific wrench.



Its much nicer and you will do a better job if you use high quality tools.





BOX OF BUFFERS
 
I HAD a HF rotary, and it went into the trash after the 2nd use. My main rotary is a Makita, but for a cheaper alternative, I recommend the Black and Decker model that Pep Boys sells. I got one for $50, and it serves as my back up. I really like it though...much better than the HF model.
 
swirlnuts said:
wouldnt recomend for anything. had two burn up in one day. only paid 20 bucks for em, but got about 40 minutes out of each.
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+1



You know the old saying.... "You get what you pay for"



As a professional detailer I have relied on my original B&D Automotive Series polishers for over 24 years. Since I use them regularly, I need a tool that I can count on. I am currently looking to retire these baby's and buy the Makita's due to their high rating and lighter weight.....:2thumbs:



JCastro1085 said:
Yeah it's very convenient for the price but why waste $50 on something when for $70 more I can get a PC XP
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Do not confuse a PC XP with a rotary polisher.....2 different animals (tools)
 
EliminatorXP said:
Do not confuse a PC XP with a rotary polisher.....2 different animals (tools)
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I know there is a huge difference between the 2, rotary requires more skill and practice due its capability of burning paint if improper technique is applied where as the D/A PC is a more for beginners and a lot safer on the paint :2thumbs:
 
Knowing what I know now about this industry and I was looking for a tool to help me shine my own car and maybe try and make a few dollars on the side. Hands down I would buy a PC in a heartbeat. I had my pc for almost 3 years now and Its bean beaten down harder then some afgan doors. It still fires up just like day one! With new compounds and polishes, better pc's now. Its foolish for a new guy or a weekend rookie to by a rotory! Look at gmblack3 he is a top notch detailer and guess what he uses? I'll tell ya, a PC. You just can't go wrong. You can correct paint, Polish it out, and lay a sealent. What more do you want? Just some words of thought.
 
bufferbarry said:
Knowing what I know now about this industry and I was looking for a tool to help me shine my own car and maybe try and make a few dollars on the side. Hands down I would buy a PC in a heartbeat. I had my pc for almost 3 years now and Its bean beaten down harder then some afgan doors. It still fires up just like day one! With new compounds and polishes, better pc's now. Its foolish for a new guy or a weekend rookie to by a rotory! Look at gmblack3 he is a top notch detailer and guess what he uses? I'll tell ya, a PC. You just can't go wrong. You can correct paint, Polish it out, and lay a sealent. What more do you want? Just some words of thought.
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Ahh the legend stuck around after all!!! (glad to see you're still here, thought u were gone for a while there Bud)



I understand rotary's do require skill but how else are u going to learn if you don't get one and practice on junk yard hoods.....even if u mess up....it's only a $20 piece of scrap. I thought about getting the HF rotary to use as a learning tool. I have no intentions of going professional or starting a business, but I would love to learn how to use a rotary for my own personal vehicle. Perhaps I'll start out with a PC, like u said Barry, you just can't go wrong with it.
 
I been seeing reviews on the Megs. no one the g110v2 or something and I'll tell ya what it looks great. The thing with the rotory is your not gonna just pick it up and learn with it. It takes a lot of time to just be decent. The pc style type polishers just do it. For me I just wouldn't go the harbour freight route. There not the same as a makita, hitachi. dewalt. I tried one for a back up and it was a turd!
 
The only thing I don't like about a PC (from what I've read) is that you would have a really hard time getting scratches off unlike a rotary. I've read thru forums here and many detailers are complaining that they had to spend many hours trying to correct the paint on a vehicle with a PC because it just doesn't have the power of a rotary. For me this would be a problem because I haver a black car and as we all know they reveal everything! Ideally I would love to have my car's paint corrected by a skilled professional using a rotary and I'd maintain it using a PC.
 
keep in mind black cars show mistakes from a improperly trained rotory handler!! Not only does it show them but it enhances them.
 
bufferbarry said:
keep in mind black cars show mistakes from a improperly trained rotory handler!! Not only does it show them but it enhances them.
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Barry u don't have to emphasize the use of a rotary, I get your point, and I have told u I wouldn't use a rotary on my car unless I knew what I was doing. I said it would be ideal to have a professional correct my paint w/a rotary and I would maintain the finish with a PC, we've talked about this thru PM's
 
the very first car i did with a rotary was a black ford lightning....no swirls at all. in fact it came out so well i was sold on primarily using a rotary from then on...pad choice, rpm and polish combos are key..we all know that. ive learned to just let the rotary do the work and not lean on it..
 
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