Not Happy With Cyclo?

I

imported_DieselMDX

New member
I am looking to upgrade from my PC. I have had my eye on a Hitachi rotary for a while but i know there is a learning curve with one. I know i will get the hang of it after a while but I was thinking maybe a cyclo would be a better machine for me. I know the Hitachi is cheaper but how effective is the cyclo compared to a rotary for everyday defect removal? I am not a proff just do this on the side and like to have the nicest cars on my block:D







Anyone not happy with there cyclo and end up getting a rotary instead?





thanx
 
Well, I have all three, and personally, I find a different use/task for each of them. I would put the Cyclo somewhere between the PC and a rotary, but closer to the PC, if that makes sense.
 
Take this from someone that has never used a Cyclo, but does have some past experience with both a Dewalt and Milwaukee rotary.



I feel that the Cyclo looks bulky to me, I know it runs smooth, but it is supposed to be even louder than a PC, which would make it far louder than a nice rotary. You might not care about that, but I don't want my ears ringing after polishing.



I also see the benefit of the cyclo design, but then again, 2 small pads just don't seem ideal to me. I'll never buy a cyclo (surprise right? :) , but I wouldn't hesitate in the slightest for the purchase of a quality rotary. Even then, you're looking at 100 bucks less than the cyclo.



For me, watching somone like Anthony O. run a rotary helps it to make sense in how you *should* use a rotary. There's no quick movements, no revving the heck outta it, just nice and smooth, even polishing. You just have to be more careful around enges and also keeping it flat and even so the pad doesn't skip.



Buy the Hitachi/Makita. ;)
 
Metabo for sure!! $230 new..



Same size as a PC, quiet powerful operation. A MUST have.. :buffing:
 
DieselMDX- Much as I like the Cyclo (prefering it over all my other machines, Metabo included), in this case I'd recommend that you get a rotary.



There simply isn't *that* much of a capability difference between the Cyclo and the PC, especially when the latter is fitted with 4" pads. Note that I've damaged clear with the PC/4" but *never* with the Cyclo, and I've been borderline abusive with the Cyclo on a lot of vehicles.



It really boils down the the user, and from what I can guess about you, well, you'll do fine with a rotary as long as you don't get careless once you become a little comfortable with it.



The Cyclo is a great "better PC" though, so sometime when you have the $ you might consider one.



Nimble- While it might *seem* like the Cyclo would be loud/awkward/heavy/etc., nobody I know who's used the thing ever felt that way. If you ever get a chance to check one out, you just might find you like it more than you'd expect ;)



Regarding the noise specifically, I can be irritated by noise, but when people ask which machine is louder/more objectionable I honestly :nixweiss as I never noticed any significant difference between rotary/PC/Cyclo except that the PCs generally make more "this doesn't sound healthy" noises that make me wonder when they'll need rebuilding again.
 
I'll probably pick up a Makita myself today. I believe what JDookie makes really good sense. I've read many comments by other that there are different applications you can use with each type of machines.
 
They Cyclo is a nice bit of kit. It has the refined feel to it and it certantly works very well.



I agree with the bulkyness, i posted on here about a Morgan i have and it was totally unuseable on the tight spaces but prehapes a light hand some skills with the rotary would allow you you to get the job done.



The Cyclo is an on - off bit of kit. You can wack up the speed if you want to.



Geoff
 
I have a cyclo that I used 1 time. You can have it for $230 shipped plus I will throw in some pads. The only thing I don't have or can find is the wrench $5 at autogeek.net. PM me if interested.
 
steelwind101 said:
i posted on here about a Morgan i have and it was totally unuseable on the tight spaces..
Click to expand...



Yeah, there are areas on some vehicles it just won't do. Some areas on my XJS are the same way, that's why I bought the PC.
 
I disagree, I find that the Cyclo is very easy to get into tight spots because of the small size of the pads. The Cyclo is also a true workhorse, as we use ours every day six days a week and don't have any problems with it. I would recommend the Cyclo.
 
I had a Cyclo and ended up selling it to a fellow Autopian. In my use, it was a great machine for large surface areas, but I used the sale money to put toward a Metabo PE12-175.



I absolutely love the Metabo! Great ergonomics, light weight, and does a superb job with the Meguiar's small backing plate and pads. If I need, I put on a big backing plate and larger pads (there is a spindle lock button for quick change).



We have 2 DeWalts at the BMW shop and I've quit using them altogether.



For the money, the Metabo is going to give you the best return for your $$.



Totoland Mach
 
metropolitandet said:
I disagree, I find that the Cyclo is very easy to get into tight spots because of the small size of the pads..
Click to expand...



Well, it just depends on the vehicle in question. There's no way I can do some areas with the Cyclo that I *can* do by the PC...and I prefer the Cyclo by a country mile. It's a question of the actual body/housing of the Cyclo getting in the way- the pads don't stick out far enough away from it, whereas with the PC the way the pad overhangs/extends from the housing allows the pad to fit someplace that you can't get to with the Cyclo. Sometimes it's a matter of using the outer edge of the pad, the way you can do it with a rotary (if you're feeling lucky ;) ).



Totoland Mach- Your continued enthusiasm regarding the Metabo is great, sounds like you found the perfect machine for you. Are you using it on the (painted) plastic panels of the BMWs?
 
I wouldn't choose a diferent machine until DavidB's new contraption becomes available. It might be the perfect tool.
 
Accumulator said:
......Totoland Mach- Your continued enthusiasm regarding the Metabo is great, sounds like you found the perfect machine for you. Are you using it on the (painted) plastic panels of the BMWs?
Click to expand...



Accumulator: I'm using the Metabo extensively on the plastic panels of the BMW's. The Festool works well, but this is so much easier because I can keep working with the sheet metal using one tool.



Here's a pic of the Metabo with the Meg's #7006 pad



MetaboRotaryAndProducts.jpg




Here's a black 530i that was terribly scratched on plastic and metal:



0407_530i_DoorRockerBefore.jpg




After compounding with Optimum + 7006 pad. Then switched to 9006 pad and Menzerna



0407_530i_DoorRockerCompounded2.jpg




Done



0407_530i_OutsideFinished1.jpg




Totoland Mach
 
Totoland MACH- Thanks for the response, I figured it'd be OK as long as the speed is kept reasonable (never had issues with a rotary on the Audis) but I wanted to check.



Heh heh, the work you do has me utterly :bow as I struggle with my M3...wish I could just beam you over here to do it, it'd be worth whatever you'd charge. The stuff you fix (let alone with just OP on a polishing pad) looks *so* much worse than my issues yet I struggle with many, many passes using H-T EC/cutting pads :nixweiss



How do you like that Meg's backing plate on the Metabo?



EDIT: I'm getting forgetful....is the 7006 the polishing pad? I thought it was 7006= burgundy cutting, 8006= yellow polishing, 9006= biege finishing. I'm also getting lazy or I'd walk out to the shop and check for myself :o
 
Nimble said:
Take this from someone that has never used a Cyclo
Click to expand...



Why chime in then?



I feel that the Cyclo looks bulky to me, I know it runs smooth, but it is supposed to be even louder than a PC, which would make it far louder than a nice rotary. You might not care about that, but I don't want my ears ringing after polishing.
Click to expand...



Its not louder, the cyclo is quieter. Both make noise, but I've never needed ear plugs with either machine.



I also see the benefit of the cyclo design, but then again, 2 small pads just don't seem ideal to me. I'll never buy a cyclo (surprise right? :) , but I wouldn't hesitate in the slightest for the purchase of a quality rotary. Even then, you're looking at 100 bucks less than the cyclo.
Click to expand...



Cyclo does double the work of the PC IME. A bit safer on the paint than a rotary, and easier to use.



HOWEVER, there is no question that in the right hands, the rotary will produce a better finish. I can't describe it, but with the right product, a rotary just makes the paint "glow" much better.



So Diesel, I'd say get both a cyclo and a rotary.



Fwiw...I have all three machines....
 
Accumulator said:
Totoland MACH- Thanks for the response, I figured it'd be OK as long as the speed is kept reasonable (never had issues with a rotary on the Audis) but I wanted to check.



Heh heh, the work you do has me utterly :bow as I struggle with my M3...wish I could just beam you over here to do it, it'd be worth whatever you'd charge. The stuff you fix (let alone with just OP on a polishing pad) looks *so* much worse than my issues yet I struggle with many, many passes using H-T EC/cutting pads :nixweiss



How do you like that Meg's backing plate on the Metabo?



EDIT: I'm getting forgetful....is the 7006 the polishing pad? I thought it was 7006= burgundy cutting, 8006= yellow polishing, 9006= biege finishing. I'm also getting lazy or I'd walk out to the shop and check for myself :o
Click to expand...





the pad on the Metabo is actually a W8006...i think, the 7006 is there burgundy/maroon cutting pad.



They could have just called them 6.5" cutting/polishing/finishing pad, but that would be too simple. :D My favorite part is that a W8006 is a 6.5" pad and a W8000 pad is 8".
 
RCBuddha said:
So Diesel, I'd say get both a cyclo and a rotary.



Fwiw...I have all three machines....
Click to expand...





I too have 'em all (and now I have two of each :o ). Heh heh, easy for us to spend his money huh? Sure is nice being able to choose just the right tool for the job though.
 
sneek said:
the pad on the Metabo is actually a W8006...i think, the 7006 is there burgundy/maroon cutting pad.



They could have just called them 6.5" cutting/polishing/finishing pad, but that would be too simple. :D My favorite part is that a W8006 is a 6.5" pad and a W8000 pad is 8".
Click to expand...



Mea Culpa on me....you're right on the numbers. I'm blaming old age LOL.



See Ya Folks



Toto
 
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