Rotary
- Thread starter blkSSS03
- Start date
AeroCleanse
New member
Makita, good quality and will get you there.
If you want a cheap-o unit the Harbor Freight one is fine, for starting.
If you want a cheap-o unit the Harbor Freight one is fine, for starting.
JohnKleven
New member
DeWalt all the way. It's got the power on demand, not that silly soft start trigger.
StadiumDetail
New member
I think the Makita would be a better staring unit, the Dewalt is nice and what I use myself but the tirgger can be a pain when learning the rotary for the first time. Plus the DeWalt is heavier than the Makita and if you're doing a long job it gets old real quick.
imported_NRZ
New member
I really want one after two years with a PC and a year with a Flex 3401. But I am leaning towards the Flex 3403 rotary because it is lighter and I love my current Flex so much. I just want to be able to really utilize M105 and also the 4 inch pads on the rotary would be nice for tight areas, but I am just so damn scared to make the jump.
I've been using both the Makita and the Dewalt for sometime now. The Dewalt (for me) seems to have a little bit more head weight than the Makita. From my name, you can guess what I use more often, But I learned with a Makita, lighter, easier to control esp for those long days. You can't go wrong with either.
See if your distributor or local retail out let will let you try them out. I started out with a Dewalt(used for a year) and have switched to the Makita. I prefer the soft start trigger and weight distribution. Again, see if you can get your hands on both of them then figure which works best for you.
I prefer the Makita for reasons already stated above: lighter weight, soft start trigger, and I also love the handle design. Actually, the biggest reason I love the Makita over the others is the handle, a small thing but it makes a big difference in ease of use. I find the Makita handle makes the machine easier to control as it allows many hold options, which is nice considering all the different angles we polish at.
Dmurdock101
New member
I just actually picked up the makita after using a PC too for some time.....and I've had it for about a 2 weeks now and I'm still not 100% comfortable using it yet....just practice but the results are unmatchable....good luck with yoru chioce !
imported_WCD
New member
I was going to put this on the classifieds... I have 2 Makitas and only need one. If someone wants a good used unit that I have not used, just PM me. I am going to get the forced Flex or XP PC model.
I'll then have:
Makita
forced DA
Cyclo
PC
That should do it!
Rob
I'll then have:
Makita
forced DA
Cyclo
PC
That should do it!
Rob
fergnation
New member
The makita is a good in between weight. the Dewalt can really get heavy on the vertical panels. The Flex is too light at times when you just want the the weight of the machine to do the work.
The only thing wrong with the Makita is the stupid cord will poop out on you. Easy fix though!!
The only thing wrong with the Makita is the stupid cord will poop out on you. Easy fix though!!
AeroCleanse
New member
fergnation said:
No problems with the cord so far, but good to know its something I should think about.
beemerboy1
New member
Which ever brand you decide to buy the ones that have been suggested are all great brands.
Let me answer the question why you would want one.
The PC is a great tool easy to use for about anyone but its limited in its ability to do paint correction, a rotary is where you can do complete paint correction, it generates heat and breaks down product much faster.
I have used both for years and reach for my rotary more than the PC these days
Let me answer the question why you would want one.
The PC is a great tool easy to use for about anyone but its limited in its ability to do paint correction, a rotary is where you can do complete paint correction, it generates heat and breaks down product much faster.
I have used both for years and reach for my rotary more than the PC these days
PWORLDSTANG
New member
fergnation said:
Can you clarify please?
I've been doing a good bit of searching on the Makita and only saw the cord mentioned one other time.
imported_WhyteWizard
New member
PWORLDSTANG said:
Awhile back, Makita started using a less than durable power cord. In normal use the cord gets bent back and forth where it goes into the cord guard - that part that comes out of the handle and is supposed to keep the cord from being bent too sharply but the cord is too brittle. Even putting extra tape to soften the curve doesn't really fix the problem. The cord needs to be replaced, I'd suggest before you ever turn it on.
And change out the grease in the head for some good synthetic.
Here's the machine sitting on my bench.
After taking off the handle, four screws are taken out to remove the cover.
Notice how the grease isn't on the spindle?
I've cleaned out the factory grease.
I like this kind of synthetic grease.
Lots of it.
Taping the cord.
Notice how the cord has a nice gentle bend? It still broke after a couple of months.
I'm pretty sure doing this will VOID YOUR WARRANTY so proceed at your own risk. Don't go trying to use the "Well, Bob, thought of it." defense. It won't work. You'll be trumped by the "So, if Bob jumped off a building would you jump too?" gambit.
In spite of that, I've found that my Makitas run quieter, cooler and longer if I change out the grease. They also keep moving while I get more polish onto the panel so the soft start doesn't slow me down.
Your mileage will vary.
Robert
PWORLDSTANG
New member
WhyteWizard said:Awhile back, Makita started using a less than durable power cord. In normal use the cord gets bent back and forth where it goes into the cord guard - that part that comes out of the handle and is supposed to keep the cord from being bent too sharply but the cord is too brittle. Even putting extra tape to soften the curve doesn't really fix the problem. The cord needs to be replaced, I'd suggest before you ever turn it on.
And change out the grease in the head for some good synthetic.
Here's the machine sitting on my bench.
After taking off the handle, four screws are taken out to remove the cover.
Notice how the grease isn't on the spindle?
I've cleaned out the factory grease.
I like this kind of synthetic grease.
Lots of it.
Taping the cord.
Notice how the cord has a nice gentle bend? It still broke after a couple of months.
I'm pretty sure doing this will VOID YOUR WARRANTY so proceed at your own risk. Don't go trying to use the "Well, Bob, thought of it." defense. It won't work. You'll be trumped by the "So, if Bob jumped off a building would you jump too?" gambit.
In spite of that, I've found that my Makitas run quieter, cooler and longer if I change out the grease. They also keep moving while I get more polish onto the panel so the soft start doesn't slow me down.
Your mileage will vary.
Robert
Thanks for the info! :xyxthumbs
From everything I read the Makita is one of the more durable and reliable rotaries on the market (still seems to be the case). For me it's between the Makita and Flex 3403. I like everything about the 3403, except it has reliability issues that I'd definitely be upset if I had to deal with. It's still a toss up for me.
Thanks again for the info.
imported_WhyteWizard
New member
strauss said:
I don't have a problem with the ones that are 5 years old either. Makita got cheap with the power cords in the last couple of years.
Robert