Rotary Showdown, my thoughts
- Thread starter NevA EnuF
- Start date
Street Dreams
New member
I own 3 rotaries. Makita 9227, Flex 3403 and the Metabo.
I use all 3 machines, sometimes all 3 on 1 car, sometimes only 1, I just pick up whatever machine I feel is best for the job at that particular time. I have gotten a lot of PM's on different boards of people asking me which rotary is "best" or why I used this machine here or there. Since there is not a ton of conclusive reviews on which rotary is "best" here is simply my INPUT and OPINIONS.
From the 3 machines I own,spent countless hours using each, here is my list from top to bottom.
1) Makita 9227
2) Flex 3403
3) Metabo
Why is the makita my choice? To me the 9227 is simply the most complete package out of the 3. It is butter smooth, the least noisy, easy to control and it does not overheat or get excessively hot when working for a long period of time. Its build quality is top notch and so far I have had no major issues in the past few years except for a bent cord which I take responsibility for (but to note it has happened to many who are not careful about wrapping the cord). While its the largest of the 3 I find the ability to remove the large bale handle and simply use it without a handle or with a side handle (as I now do) that it is versatile and I rarely have a problem fitting into a tight spot using it, especially if you have a spindle extension.
Why the Flex 3403 is my second choice?. I really want to love this machine but simply cant. When I first got it I was blown away at how light and compact it was, hands down this machine produces the least amount of fatigue on your arms when buffing. It is smooth but I have experienced clicking sounds on it from time to time. I believe IF this machine was tweaked just a little bit to have a lower starting speed (600 instead of 1100) and a quieter, smoother operation that it would be superior to the Makita but the 3403's high pitched drone gets annoying on long corrections. Obviously its biggest asset is its compact size, made even more so by removing the overhead bale handle as I did. With a 3" backing plate and small foam pad this machine is my go to for polishing around license plate holders, front bumpers and A pillars.
Why the Metabo is 3rd? This was the last rotary I bought and I initially loved it but slowly picked out its weak spots. First let me say the build quality on this machine is around that of a Makita or better, the 3403 does not feel as well constructed as the Metabo. The metabo is not the most comfortable machine to hold because its body is round and there is no handle/trigger type place to hold it firmly. The speed dial is a terrible annoyance because you need to use 2 hands to control speed while buffing because its located on the back of the machine, not a thumbs reach away as the other 2 machines are. The Metabo has a slower start speed than the 3403 which is nice but does not have a trigger to feather the speed. While not as noisy as the 3403 the metabo does have a constant whine to it and again this gets irritating, especially coming from a makita that is really quite quiet. The biggest con to the metabo is its layout and how because of its non removable overhead bale handle its tough to polish in tight spaces and its very tough to work on tight edges and around corners or even on a flat vertical panel like a door. Working side to side is a breeze, polishing up and down is not. I do use a side handle on the metabo for better control as I hate overhead handles but even still the small machine it is cannot be versatile, your stuck with its awkwardness.
My approach to picking products these days is simple. I say to myself, if you had to rely on only 1 product for the job, which would it be?
If I could only ever own 1 machine of the 3 it would be the makita for the reasons listed above.
I use all 3 machines, sometimes all 3 on 1 car, sometimes only 1, I just pick up whatever machine I feel is best for the job at that particular time. I have gotten a lot of PM's on different boards of people asking me which rotary is "best" or why I used this machine here or there. Since there is not a ton of conclusive reviews on which rotary is "best" here is simply my INPUT and OPINIONS.
From the 3 machines I own,spent countless hours using each, here is my list from top to bottom.
1) Makita 9227
2) Flex 3403
3) Metabo
Why is the makita my choice? To me the 9227 is simply the most complete package out of the 3. It is butter smooth, the least noisy, easy to control and it does not overheat or get excessively hot when working for a long period of time. Its build quality is top notch and so far I have had no major issues in the past few years except for a bent cord which I take responsibility for (but to note it has happened to many who are not careful about wrapping the cord). While its the largest of the 3 I find the ability to remove the large bale handle and simply use it without a handle or with a side handle (as I now do) that it is versatile and I rarely have a problem fitting into a tight spot using it, especially if you have a spindle extension.
Why the Flex 3403 is my second choice?. I really want to love this machine but simply cant. When I first got it I was blown away at how light and compact it was, hands down this machine produces the least amount of fatigue on your arms when buffing. It is smooth but I have experienced clicking sounds on it from time to time. I believe IF this machine was tweaked just a little bit to have a lower starting speed (600 instead of 1100) and a quieter, smoother operation that it would be superior to the Makita but the 3403's high pitched drone gets annoying on long corrections. Obviously its biggest asset is its compact size, made even more so by removing the overhead bale handle as I did. With a 3" backing plate and small foam pad this machine is my go to for polishing around license plate holders, front bumpers and A pillars.
Why the Metabo is 3rd? This was the last rotary I bought and I initially loved it but slowly picked out its weak spots. First let me say the build quality on this machine is around that of a Makita or better, the 3403 does not feel as well constructed as the Metabo. The metabo is not the most comfortable machine to hold because its body is round and there is no handle/trigger type place to hold it firmly. The speed dial is a terrible annoyance because you need to use 2 hands to control speed while buffing because its located on the back of the machine, not a thumbs reach away as the other 2 machines are. The Metabo has a slower start speed than the 3403 which is nice but does not have a trigger to feather the speed. While not as noisy as the 3403 the metabo does have a constant whine to it and again this gets irritating, especially coming from a makita that is really quite quiet. The biggest con to the metabo is its layout and how because of its non removable overhead bale handle its tough to polish in tight spaces and its very tough to work on tight edges and around corners or even on a flat vertical panel like a door. Working side to side is a breeze, polishing up and down is not. I do use a side handle on the metabo for better control as I hate overhead handles but even still the small machine it is cannot be versatile, your stuck with its awkwardness.
My approach to picking products these days is simple. I say to myself, if you had to rely on only 1 product for the job, which would it be?
If I could only ever own 1 machine of the 3 it would be the makita for the reasons listed above.
imported_JSFM35X
New member
Thanks for the analysis Dave. Your work is outstanding. The Lexus write up was Text book!
I am thinking about a rotary only because I have a black car and i can't get teh correction i want with the Flex DA or the PC (old version). I CLEARLUY REALIZE IT COULD BE ME AND NOT THE PRODUCT OR MACHINE.
I am afraid of Holograms and burning the paint. I am still in my learing phase.
What would you suggest(machines, pads and polishes) for some one at my level with a black M35X (2008-Not the self healing paint) with minor+ swirls.
Not afread of the work, or the steps. Just afraid if eating up too much clear or burning the paint.
Thanks,
Jeff
I am thinking about a rotary only because I have a black car and i can't get teh correction i want with the Flex DA or the PC (old version). I CLEARLUY REALIZE IT COULD BE ME AND NOT THE PRODUCT OR MACHINE.
I am afraid of Holograms and burning the paint. I am still in my learing phase.
What would you suggest(machines, pads and polishes) for some one at my level with a black M35X (2008-Not the self healing paint) with minor+ swirls.
Not afread of the work, or the steps. Just afraid if eating up too much clear or burning the paint.
Thanks,
Jeff
imported_Termigator
New member
Nice quick review. I've thought about picking up the Flex (I'm all about light weight), but since a friend has the Makita, I think I'm just going to borrow it if I ever get around to using a rotary.
Street Dreams
New member
I say unless your doing this on a professional level where you have all sorts of different cars, each with a different paint finish to work on that a good DA will be more than enough to yield great results.
I also own 3 DA's, the Megs G110 V2, the PC XP and the Griots.
The Griots is my choice but a close second is the G110 V2. Both just quality units!
With any DA I highly recommend using the LC hydro tech pads because they bring out the potential of those units more so than any other foams I have played with. I am a big menzerna fan and considering your working on finicky black infiniti paint I would look into menzerna because you can work your way up and down in speed in trying to achieve the perfect finish. With Megs 105 and 205, although both killer products you are very limited in how long you can work them.
bmw5541
New member
Great info Dave.
The more I get into detailing, and the more jobs that I get, the more I will eventually need to get a good rotary, and this certainly helps with the decision. Ofcourse, I might have to stop by sometime so you can give me a few pointers on how to properly use one.:biggrin:
The more I get into detailing, and the more jobs that I get, the more I will eventually need to get a good rotary, and this certainly helps with the decision. Ofcourse, I might have to stop by sometime so you can give me a few pointers on how to properly use one.:biggrin:
imported_JSFM35X
New member
Thanks for the advise. I notice that you don't own a Flex or the original PC. Will these pass as a "Good Da" for what I am looking to achieve?
I will be placng an order for some Menzerna, and some LC Hydro Tech pads. I plan on cleaning up the car today. I will post some pictures and ask you to give me your best guess as to what Menzerna products to get as what pad colors. Like a long distnce perscription. I hope that's OK?
Have a good day.
I will be placng an order for some Menzerna, and some LC Hydro Tech pads. I plan on cleaning up the car today. I will post some pictures and ask you to give me your best guess as to what Menzerna products to get as what pad colors. Like a long distnce perscription. I hope that's OK?
Have a good day.
imported_Sal329
New member
Some great info here. I learned the rotary but with the use of new products and learning different techniques I wonder how often I will use the rotary over my DA. One thing I do like is the rotary allows me to correct paint faster then with my DA. I wish I could correct a lil faster with the PC maybe a Griots would help work a little faster?
imported_wendell jarvis
New member
Great write up
PAR Detailing
New member
Great writeup David!
mikenap
New member
If you want to speed up corrections with a PC, have you tried Surbufs yet? Even with the old-skool PC, these things are incredible. And relatively cheap too, the only downside is they don't last too long.
imported_Sal329
New member
If you want to speed up corrections with a PC, have you tried Surbufs yet? Even with the old-skool PC, these things are incredible. And relatively cheap too, the only downside is they don't last too long.
No I have not tried the pads just yet they are top of my list to buy
mikenap
New member
Do it, you won't regret it. Listen to Luster and Barry, those guys rave about them every chance they get!