Inexpensive Chinese Long Throw DA, Premium Parts....
- Thread starter Brewins
- Start date
Stokdgs
dansautodetailing.com
Great job, Tom !!
Beautiful clarity and gloss !!!
Dan F
Beautiful clarity and gloss !!!
Dan F
tom p.
Active member
Dan, thanks. I think an alternate polishing routine would have benefited the gloss, but I simply didn`t want to spend the time today. Always anxious to see the resulting gloss 24 hrs. later.
So question, I didn`t know 25mm DA`s were a thing. I`m not seeing anything when I Google it. I had a BOSS G15 which I loved, was thinking maybe I should try a 21. At the prices these are I should just order 2. I definitely want another 15, but I`m trying to figure out 21 or 25. I know it`s a lot a personal preference thing. But I`ve never even heard of a 25mm DA until this thread. Anyone here used one? If not this brand, any brand?
Loach
New member
Got the S15 in today. It seems like a miracle that there was no damage to the polisher during transit, as the others pointed out there`s no padding on the inside of the box and this thing definitely gets banged up during this kind of shipping. First impression is the polisher feels great, looks well built, the color is slightly more red and less orange than the Griot`s GG6 which is a great color. Backing plate is straight with no wobble, it would need a washer mod to spin free. I was using Rupes pads on it today, feels about as smooth as the Rupes MK3, really well balanced. Similar overall weight, size, and loudness. Progressive speed trigger is a nice touch and is also smooth.
I prefer how the Rupes MK3 feels in the hands, larger and better speed switch, better cord quality and longer length, rear and front grip I prefer as well. But this S15 seems like an insane value, especially considering that the Maxshine M15 Pro is priced at $200. I did have Maxshine`s original M15 that I enjoyed working with, recently sent off to a new home for someone just getting into paint polishing. This S15 is at a minimum on par in build quality compared to the M15, no noticeable stalling on the slight concave areas on the test hood. I`ll keep working with it side by side with the Rupes, I`ll probably head in and repack the grease as well, overall nice find Brewins! I`m tempted on the rotary now.
I prefer how the Rupes MK3 feels in the hands, larger and better speed switch, better cord quality and longer length, rear and front grip I prefer as well. But this S15 seems like an insane value, especially considering that the Maxshine M15 Pro is priced at $200. I did have Maxshine`s original M15 that I enjoyed working with, recently sent off to a new home for someone just getting into paint polishing. This S15 is at a minimum on par in build quality compared to the M15, no noticeable stalling on the slight concave areas on the test hood. I`ll keep working with it side by side with the Rupes, I`ll probably head in and repack the grease as well, overall nice find Brewins! I`m tempted on the rotary now.
tom p.
Active member
Loach, if you do re-pack the grease, can you do a couple of photos or share a little guidance? Thanks.
Loach
New member
No problem, this polisher is very easy to disassemble to get to the gears. I`m not the grease expert, I`ve run Royal Purple High Performance 01312 with no negative results on the other polishers. Nothing stripped, screws seem to be decent quality (unlike Harbor Freight DA).
To disassemble this, you remove the backplate, unscrew the two large screws to the plastic front head casing and remove by carefully prying up using a flathead on both sides and pulling it out, unscrew the three screws and remove the counterweight, and remove the 4 screws that hold the shroud and casing together to get to the inner assembly to be able to repack the grease with your preference. Now that I look back, I`m not sure if it was necessary to actually remove the plastic head/front handle assembly to get inside since the screws that hold the black shroud are the same screws that hold the casing together.
Be real careful prying up on this plastic casing below, I noticed a small hairline crack forming on the edge of the plastic where I was prying:
The hole in the middle of the counterweight lines up with the 4 screws to disassemble the shroud and casing, if you`ve got a thin screwdriver you can skip removing the counterweight, I went ahead and removed it:
At this point just pull up on the assembly and it comes right out:
Stock grease doesn`t look bad at all, from here clean everything out and repack with your grease, then reassemble:
tom p.
Active member
Wow, you`ve been busy. Thank you!
I have the maxshine m15 the master and it does stall pretty easily on curved panels. Saw this thread by chance and see pretty good reviews. How has the polisher been holding up for everyone? I`m interested in getting the s15 or maybe go for 21mm if they don`t stall as much as the maxshine does.
tom p.
Active member
Loach
New member
The Maxshine M15 Pro Series II is the polisher to compare this S15 against. From my very limited time playing around with that latest Maxshine at MTE this year, it`s more comfortable than the Chechnya ergonomically. Better speed dial, pretty smooth, but without them side by side I don`t have enough to go off of. At $135 for the Chechnya you roll the dice on getting it in hand without issues, no support group for issues that come up or if it doesn`t work out. The Maxshine Pro Series II I`ve heard some have stall issues, others the stalling is no where near as bad as it was with the Pro Series I. But at $200 you get the support and warranty, and the peace of mind knowing you`re not out of luck if something goes wrong early on.
My S15 is still holding up great and I use it pretty regularly. It does run warmer compared to my Rupes, but not overly hot. The S15 doesn`t require a washer mod, it clears the shroud just fine from the factory, but it just doesn`t free spin as easily as others when you`re trying to spin the plate. You can get any long-throw to stall, but I would say that compared to the Rupes MKIII with the washer mod this S15 is less likely to stall as heavily. The Rupes is still more ergonomic and comfortable, smoother overall by a hair, much better speed dial and I love the trigger setup on the Rupes, and because of those things I reach for the Rupes much more often.
dennis hiip
New member
I bought their rotary. Nice machine. Smooth and quiet. Great CS too.
Thank you for more detailed info, that makes it easier for me to stop agonizing if I need to get another polisher now or wait for more info on the new boss g15 with their new lower price point. I don`t really need another polisher, but the thought of something better at a great price point always doesn`t let go easily and always in the back of the mind that I could be missing out on something really good, especially given the price point. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
wannafbody
wannafbody
One thing to consider with all these cheaper machines is that you can buy an extended warranty at HF.
John U
Member
They`re like potato chips, can you just have one? :lol:
SeanKTM
New member
Just updating this thread for those that might be interested. I just got in touch with Stacey @ Chechnya for a quote on these machines. Regardless of what part of the States you`re in, $66 in shipping for the first unit and $49 extra if you want a second unit. S15 is still $89 and S21 is $92. PayPal fee is $8 for the first unit and $6 for the second. So, if I wanted S-15 only shipped, it`d have been $163, and if I wanted S-15 & S-21, it`d have been $310. I don`t know how MaxShine Series II polishers compare with these Chechnya units, but with no warranty or replacement parts readily available, these units are not quite as good a value as they used to be when the thread started. MaxShine M15 Pro II can be had for $170 on Amazon right now.
Maybe shipping cost will go down a little next year and make these polishers more relevant again, or maybe they are still relevant to some. Either way, I wanted to share the updated info for those that might be considering these options.
Maybe shipping cost will go down a little next year and make these polishers more relevant again, or maybe they are still relevant to some. Either way, I wanted to share the updated info for those that might be considering these options.
The chances of that happening are about as much as liberal run states & cites saying you dont have to wear a mask anymore-- just not gonna happen.
I will have to agree with Mary on this one. I have tried multiple lower end models of polishers- and I know this is gonna make a few folks frown-- but I consider griots polishers (not polishes or pads ) lower end- owned and used many of them- and they just are not as good as the flex-- they just arent. My next polisher will be a rupes. That is my first hand exp. Hope all who have these lower end tools have good exp. with them , and hope they last a good long time for you-- they just are not for me
SeanKTM
New member
Hmm, I do want to point out that BOSS G21 @Mary B has next to her Flex and Rupes is one of Griot`s machines made in... you guessed it, China. ^_^ And, I think their G8 is an amazing value and one of the best in the category with or without price being a factor. That being said, I get what you are saying. I really don`t think Flex and Rupes machines are "over-priced", per se. Just out of some of our price range. And, the short warranty period leaves something to be desired. And, Griot`s Garage fills that gap between cheap knock-offs that are blatant copies of high-end machines (and quite frankly an unethical approach by these overseas factories IMO) and Flex and Rupes of the world.